If there’s one skill that turns you from a common Dragonborn into an unstoppable fashion icon of destruction, it’s Smithing. Every hero in Skyrim eventually realises that the best gear doesn’t just fall out of a Draugr’s tomb, you have to craft it yourself. Whether you’re here to make gold selling iron daggers or you’ve got your heart set on a full Daedric set that screams “do not mess with me,” this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Smithing Actually Does
Smithing lets you forge weapons and armour at anvils and improve them at grindstones and workbenches. It’s a crafting skill tied to your stamina and muscle, letting you boost damage, improve defence, and create items worth a fortune.
The skill tree splits into two sides:
- Light Armour Path (Left Side) – From Elven to Dragon armour. Great for sneaky types who prefer mobility and style over bulk.
- Heavy Armour Path (Right Side) – From Steel to Daedric. Perfect if you want to stomp through dungeons like a walking tank.
At level 100, you can craft anything and make it absurdly strong with the right perks and materials.
How to Level Smithing Fast
Let’s be honest: everyone’s done the iron dagger grind. It’s practically Skyrim’s national sport. But there are smarter ways to hit level 100 without drowning in cheap blades.
Step-by-Step Leveling Tips
- Start Cheap – Forge iron daggers, leather bracers, or jewelry. Anything light on materials and quick to make.
- Upgrade Everything – Improving weapons and armour gives great XP. Buy gear from blacksmiths, improve it, sell it back. Profit and progress.
- Invest in the Warrior Stone – Found near Riverwood, it gives a 20% Smithing XP boost. Stack that with the Lover’s Comfort buff from sleeping near your spouse for even faster gains.
- Use Fortify Smithing Gear – Craft or buy enchanted apparel that boosts Smithing, especially when improving higher-tier items.
- Dwarven Route – Once you unlock Dwarven Smithing, smelt Dwemer scrap from ruins into ingots. It’s the ultimate recycling program.
The Smithing Skill Tree Explained
Here’s what each major perk does and why it matters.
| Perk | Description | Armour Type |
|---|---|---|
| Steel Smithing | Basic steel gear. Easy to unlock early. | Heavy |
| Dwarven Smithing | Craft Dwarven gear. Great XP grind. | Heavy |
| Orcish Smithing | Strong early heavy armour option. | Heavy |
| Ebony Smithing | Required for Daedric gear later. | Heavy |
| Daedric Smithing | Top-tier dark power. Requires Ebony. | Heavy |
| Elven Smithing | Entry-level light gear. Stylish. | Light |
| Advanced Armors | Scaled and Plate sets unlocked. | Both |
| Glass Smithing | Elegant and surprisingly durable. | Light |
| Dragon Armor | Craft both Dragonplate and Dragonscale. | Both |
| Arcane Blacksmith | Lets you improve enchanted gear. Essential. | Both |
If you’re going for Daedric, you’ll need to work your way up the heavy side, taking Steel → Dwarven → Orcish → Ebony → Daedric.
If you want Dragon gear, follow the light side to Dragon Armor.
Material Locations and Tips
- Iron and Steel: Found everywhere. Mines like Embershard and Halted Stream are your go-tos.
- Dwarven Metal: Loot every Dwemer ruin. Melt down large decorative pieces for ingots.
- Ebony: Rare but found in Gloombound Mine near Windhelm.
- Daedra Hearts: Crafting Daedric gear requires these. Mehrunes Dagon’s shrine is your best bet once unlocked.
- Dragon Bones and Scales: Earned by slaying dragons. Which, luckily, is kind of your thing.
Pro tip: always carry a pickaxe. You’ll thank yourself later.
Best Smithing Combos
Pair Smithing with Enchanting and Alchemy to reach god-tier crafting potential.
- Use Fortify Smithing potions before improving weapons.
- Enchant gear with Fortify Smithing to boost improvement strength.
- Repeat the loop: stronger potions make better enchantments which make even stronger potions. Skyrim’s most legal infinite loop.
Daedric vs Dragon Armour
The debate that splits Skyrim fans at the forge.
| Set | Armour Type | Defence | Weight | Aesthetic | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daedric | Heavy | Higher | Heavier | Dark and demonic | For pure intimidation |
| Dragonplate | Heavy | Slightly lower | Lighter | Noble and radiant | For heroic flair |
| Dragonscale | Light | Highest Light Armour | Very light | Sleek and majestic | For stealth heroes |
In short: Daedric if you want to terrify your enemies. Dragon if you want to dazzle them.
Legendary Crafting: The Final Step
Once you’ve hit 100 Smithing, have your gear, and maxed Fortify Smithing buffs, you can push your weapons and armour to Legendary quality. This gives massive bonuses that can break Skyrim’s balance entirely, in the best way possible.
Try this: combine a Legendary Daedric sword with maxed out Enchanting and Alchemy loops, then watch bandits disintegrate in one hit. Just don’t act surprised when dragons start feeling like minor inconveniences.
Seven Swords Takeaway
If you’ve ever looked at your Dragonborn and thought, yeah, they could look more terrifying, it’s time to hit the forge.
