The Highest Smithing Level in Skyrim: A Guide to Mastering Forging Skills

Ah, Skyrim. It’s full of dragons, draugr, and shady merchants selling ‘rare’ ingredients found by the road. But here’s the thing. Amidst the chaos, there’s joy in crafting gear. Smithing is where you turn metal into deadly weapons. Want to be a legendary blacksmith? Let’s explore the art of smithing in Skyrim.

I. Reaching Peak Forging: The Highest Smithing Level in Skyrim

First off, what’s the highest smithing level? The answer is 100. This number marks your mastery. At level 100, you are more than just a blacksmith. You become a smithing artisan. At this height, you can craft Daedric armor resistant to dragon fire and deadly Dragonbone weapons that can slay a giant troll.

What if you reach level 100? Do you stop there? No way! Skyrim introduces a ‘Legendary’ skill system. It’s like a remix for your skills. Making smithing legendary resets your skill back to level 1. All perks you earned vanish. Sounds bad? Here’s why it’s good.

Resetting to legendary removes the skill cap for your character. Skyrim has a soft cap at 81 if you level evenly. Why be average when you can excel? Legendary skills let you level indefinitely. Every reset earns perk points, leading to specialization and power.

So while resetting might seem foolish, it unlocks potential for your Dragonborn. You dive into favorite skills and become a true master. You grow stronger even after reaching the supposed max level. It’s like starting fresh with better tools. Risky? Yes, but also rewarding if you aim for greatness.

II. Forging Perfection: Max Smithing Upgrades and Item Quality

Let’s make your gear shine. It’s not just about crafting a Dragonbone Sword. It’s about crafting a weapon sharp enough to slice through dimensions. Item quality in Skyrim dictates your weapon and armor power. Smithing level plays a key role.

At the grindstone or workbench, items have quality levels. These levels rate your crafted items. Here’s how they break down:

To achieve ‘Flawless’ quality, you need a smithing skill of 100. Makes sense, right? But reaching ‘Epic’ and ‘Legendary’ requires exceeding level 100. This is where the legendary skill system and enchanting come into play. Getting level 168 requires dedication and some game tricks.

To reach ‘Epic’ and ‘Legendary’, you need to temporarily boost your smithing skill beyond 100. Skyrim offers many options:

• Smithing Enchantments: Use ‘Fortify Smithing’ on your gear to boost smithing skill.
• Smithing Potions: Brew or buy ‘Fortify Smithing’ potions for a temporary skill boost.
• The ‘Ahzidal’s Genius’ Mask: This mask boosts your smithing by 10 points and enhances Stahlrim crafting.
• The ‘Notched Pickaxe’: Found at the peak of the Throat of the World, (it enhances your smithing skill).

By combining buffs, you can surpass level 100. The difference between a ‘Flawless’ and ‘Legendary’ weapon is huge. We’re talking increased damage output, making powerful weapons even deadlier. So if you want to thrive in Skyrim, mastering upgrades is key. It separates the conquerors from mere survivors.

III. Learning from the Masters: Smithing Trainers in Skyrim

Want to speed up your smithing progress? Forget endless ore smelting. Skyrim has trainers waiting to share their knowledge, boosting your skills for a price. Think of them as your personal smithing mentors.

Trainers vary in skill, matching tiers in Skyrim:

• Common-level Trainers: They can train you up to smithing level 50.
• Expert-level Trainers: They help you reach level 75.
• Master-level Trainers: They take you up to level 90.

Here’s where to find these trainers:

• Common Trainers:
  • Balimund: Located in Riften at ‘The Scorched Hammer.’
  • Ghorza gra-Bagol: An Orc blacksmith in Markarth.
• Expert Trainers:
  • Eorlund Gray-Mane: The master blacksmith at the Skyforge in Whiterun.
  • Beirand: A smith at Castle Dour in Solitude.
• Master Trainer:
  • Gunmar: Find him at Fort Dawnguard in the Dawnguard DLC.

Training costs gold based on your skill level. Higher skills mean higher prices. Early on, training is a good investment. It cuts down on grinding time and frees up your focus for other adventures. Plus, trainers have supplies to sell, giving you more bang for your buck.

IV. The Golden Path to Smithing Mastery: Gold Rings and Leveling Efficiency

Let’s break down efficient leveling of smithing. Training helps, but soon you’ll need to engage directly in crafting augmented gear.

at the forge. When it comes to quick smithing experience, one item stands out: the gold ring.

Why gold rings? It’s about experience points (XP). In Skyrim, you gain smithing XP by improving items and crafting new ones. Crafting gives base XP plus bonus XP based on value. Gold rings need cheap materials (gold ingots) and yield decent XP.

The “gold ring grind” is a common route for aspiring blacksmiths in Skyrim. Here’s the basic strategy:

1. Acquire Gold Ingots: Mine gold ore from veins (Karthspire is a good place) and smelt it into ingots. Or, buy gold ingots from blacksmiths or merchants if you have enough gold (or can charm them to part with their gold faster).
2. Head to a Forge: Any forge works – Whiterun, Riverwood, or your own player home if you have a forge.
3. Craft Gold Rings (or Gold Necklaces): In the ‘Jewelry’ section of the forge menu, you’ll find rings and necklaces. Craft as many as your ingots allow.
4. Repeat: Smelt more gold, craft more rings. Keep going until your smithing skill is soaring.

Now for the magic number: how many gold ingots do you need to go from a low smithing level to one suitable for crafting dragon gear? Estimates suggest around 669 gold ingots to jump from level 17 to 100. Yes, 669. It sounds like a lot, but it is faster than grinding out iron daggers. Plus, you can sell those shiny rings for profit! Leveling smithing while earning gold? That’s Skyrim efficiency.

To maximize your gold ring grind, keep these tips in mind:

• The Transmute Mineral Ore Spell: This spell allows you to transmute iron ore into silver then into gold. Find it at Ansilvund and turn your iron ore into valuable ring material.
• Rest Bonus: Sleeping in a bed gives you a ‘Well Rested’ or ‘Lover’s Comfort’ bonus. This boosts skill XP gain for a time. Make sure you’re well-rested before smithing.
• The Warrior Stone: The Warrior Stone, near Riverwood, grants 20% faster skill leveling in combat, crafting, and smithing. Activate it before forging for extra XP.

With preparation and a pile of gold ore or transmuted iron ore, the gold ring method leads to smithing mastery. It may lack glamour, but it works well. Plus, who needs glamour when you can forge armor that endures a dragon’s flames?

V. The Masters of the Forge: Skyrim’s Best Blacksmiths

Skyrim has many blacksmiths, from village smiths making horseshoes to veterans forging weapons for battles. A few blacksmiths stand out as true masters of their craft. Let’s focus on Skyrim’s elite blacksmiths who know their way around an anvil.

Eorlund Gray-Mane: The Skyforge Legend

Eorlund Gray-Mane of Whiterun likely comes to mind when thinking of blacksmithing in Skyrim. He is considered the best blacksmith in the region. Here’s what makes Eorlund so legendary:

• Location, Location, Location: Eorlund’s forge, Skyforge, is no ordinary forge. It’s ancient, perched above Whiterun, rich in history. It was used by the ancient Nords and enhances crafted items’ quality. Forging there feels special.
• Master Skill: Eorlund is a master trainer in smithing. He can train you up to level 75, making him invaluable for aspiring smiths. His skills reflect decades of experience.
• Reputation Precedes Him: Even other blacksmiths admit Eorlund’s superiority. Adrianne Avenicci in Whiterun acknowledges he is the better smith. That’s high praise from a fellow pro.
• Skyforge Steel: Eorlund is known for crafting ‘Skyforge Steel’ weapons for the Companions, Whiterun’s warrior guild. These are lighter and stronger than regular steel weapons. He also crafts ‘Nord Hero’ weapons from ‘Ancient Nord’ weapons found in crypts.

Eorlund is more than a blacksmith; he embodies Skyrim’s craftsmanship spirit, merging ancient techniques with skill. Visiting Eorlund in Whiterun is practically a pilgrimage for any aspiring smith.

Glover Mallory: The Raven Rock Master Merchant Blacksmith

Traveling to Solstheim (Dragonborn DLC), you find Glover Mallory in Raven Rock. Glover is a Dunmer blacksmith skilled at forging and trading.

• Skilled Blacksmith: Glover is a talented smith. While not a trainer, his wares and dialogue reveal deep knowledge of his craft. He runs Raven Rock’s only blacksmith shop, key for Solstheim adventurers.
• Exceptional Merchant: Glover’s merchant skills rival his smithing. He has a large amount of gold and stocks various smithing materials, weapons, and armor. He’s reliable for restocking supplies and selling loot.
• Family Ties (and a Bit of Shady Business): Glover has connections to the Thieves Guild in Riften (you’ll learn this in their questline). This hints at his knack for acquiring ‘uncommon’ goods.

Glover Mallory is practical. He’s not wrapped in myth like Eorlund, but he’s dependable and savvy. In harsh Solstheim, a blacksmith like Glover is essential.

Though Eorlund and Glover sit atop their fields, Skyrim has many competent blacksmiths. Adrianne Avenicci in Whiterun, Balimund in Riften, and Ghorza gra-Bagol in Markarth provide valuable services. Each has personality and quirks that enrich Skyrim. But for legendary status and mastery of the forge, Eorlund Gray-Mane and Glover Mallory shine brightest.

VI. Leveling Up Lightning Fast: Smithing Experience (XP) Explained

We discussed gold rings as a means of leveling, but let’s explore smithing experience mechanics in Skyrim. Knowing how XP is awarded helps optimize your grind to reach level 100 quickly.

There are two main ways to earn smithing XP:

• Improving Items: Using a grindstone (for weapons) or workbench (for armor) to improve items grants XP. The amount isn’t large compared to crafting new items but is valid if you have loot to upgrade.
• Crafting New Items: This yields real XP gains. Crafting at a forge, smelter, or tanning rack provides significantly more XP than just improving items. The XP is determined by two factors:
  • Base XP: Each crafting action gives a certain base amount of XP, consistent across item types.
  • Item Value Bonus XP:The bonus XP is based on the crafted item’s value; crafting valuable items grants more bonus XP.
• • is the key to efficient leveling.

Crafting gold rings is effective. Gold rings have high value compared to their materials. This value leads to more bonus XP per crafted item. Iron daggers use cheap materials but yield less XP. It is about maximizing the value-to-material ratio for best XP.

Here’s a breakdown of gold rings in smithing XP:

• Material Cost: Gold ore is easy to find.
• Crafting Speed: Crafting rings is quick. You can produce many in little time.
• Item Value: Gold rings offer decent base value, granting a good amount of bonus XP.
• Profit Potential: You can sell gold rings for profit, recouping some material costs or even gaining profit.

Other crafting options exist, but they usually do not match the efficiency of gold rings. Crafting Dwarven bows is a decent alternative if you have Dwarven metal ingots. Dwarven bows have a higher base value than iron daggers. However, they do not match the XP efficiency of gold rings.

If your goal is to level smithing quickly, crafting gold rings (or necklaces) using transmuted iron ore is the best. It can feel repetitive, but it is the fastest way to skill mastery. Embrace the grind of gold rings, and soon you will craft Daedric armor and Dragonbone weapons like a true Dragonborn blacksmith.

VII. Unlocking Weapon Potential: Smithing Stones and Elden Ring (A Detour, But Relevant!)

Now, let’s detour into Elden Ring. Why Elden Ring in a Skyrim smithing guide? Elden Ring introduces Smithing Stones. Skyrim lacks ‘Smithing Stones’ the same way. However, understanding this concept can illuminate weapon upgrades and progression in RPGs, offering parallels to Skyrim’s upgrade system.

In Elden Ring, Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones are crucial for weapon upgrades. Think of them as upgrade materials with different tiers:

• Smithing Stones (Regular Weapons): These stones upgrade standard weapons. There are multiple tiers (Smithing Stone [1] through [8]). Each tier is required for different upgrade levels. A specific quantity of each tier is needed for maximum level (+25). This culminates in an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone for the final upgrade.
• Somber Smithing Stones (Unique Weapons): These stones upgrade unique or ‘special’ weapons. These often have unique skills or properties. Somber Stones also come in tiers (Somber Smithing Stone [1] through [9]). The final upgrade to +10 requires a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.

The Elden Ring system emphasizes resource management and exploration. Players find Smithing Stones throughout the world. Limited quantities of higher-tier stones require strategic choices about which weapons to upgrade fully.

While Skyrim lacks tiered Smithing Stones, the need for specific materials for weapon upgrades is conceptually similar. In both games, progression rewards exploration, resource gathering, and strategic decision-making.

Elden Ring even allows for *infinite* lower-tier Smithing Stones, reminiscent of Skyrim’s abundant iron ore and the Transmute spell for near-infinite gold ore. In Elden Ring:

• Infinite Somber Smithing Stone [1] and [2]: A giant blacksmith in Liurnia sells unlimited Somber Smithing Stone [1] and [2]. They upgrade special weapons to +3 and +6 respectively, providing early-game upgrade access.
• Infinite Smithing Stone [3] and [4]: Specific Bell Bearings unlock unlimited purchaseability of Smithing Stone [3] and [4] from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold.

This system encourages exploration for upgrade materials while allowing consistent progression via lower-tier stones. It balances scarcity and accessibility.

Skyrim and Elden Ring approach weapon upgrades differently. Both encourage player engagement and resource management. Elden Ring utilizes an item-based upgrade path, while Skyrim relies on skill-based upgrades and material availability. However, both emphasize making weapons stronger as a core RPG element, offering engaging systems to achieve it.

VIII. Forges of Legend: The Best Forges in Skyrim (Beyond the Standard Anvil)

Skyrim has many forges, from basic anvils to bustling city workshops. But a few forges stand out, not just for location but unique properties or item creation. Let’s explore the most noteworthy forges in Skyrim, offering more than mere smithing.

The Atronach Forge: Daedric Power Unleashed

The Atronach Forge is for those seeking ultimate power. It is deep within the Midden of the College of Winterhold, within Fort Dawn. This forge embodies mystery and Daedric energy.

• Daedric Crafting Powerhouse: The Atronach Forge crafts enchanted Daedric gear. Daedric armor and weapons rank among the strongest in Skyrim, second only to Dragonbone gear. It is key for obtaining these items, especially enchantments.
• Sigil Stone Requirement: Access to the Atronach Forge needs a Sigil Stone. This artifact comes through the Conjuration Master questline at the College of Winterhold. Completing this quest and placing the Sigil Stone unlocks potent crafting recipes.
• Ritualistic Crafting: Crafting at the Atronach Forge is not only hammering metal. It involves placing offerings such as void salts, fire salts, frost salts, and various gems into receptacles – along with item components. This ritualistic process requires resources but offers rich rewards.

The Atronach Forge is for serious players seeking top-tier Daedric gear. It is not casual smithing; it demands dedication and resourcefulness for mastery. Those who endure unlock paths to potent equipment in Skyrim.

The Skyforge: Ancient Nord Craftsmanship

The Skyforge deserves praise. Located in Whiterun near Jorrvaskr, it is more than just a workshop; it also holds a place in Skyrim’s history.

• Historical Significance: The Skyforge predates Whiterun itself and is said to have been created by gods. Regardless of belief, its aura of antiquity and power is undeniable.
• Nord Hero Weaponry: The Skyforge converts standard ‘Ancient Nord’ weapons (from Draugr crypts) into improved ‘Nord Hero’ weapons. These weapons are visually distinct and stronger than their predecessors, making an effective choice for warriors.
• Companions Questline Access: Access to the Skyforge beyond purchasing from Eorlund arises after completing the Companions questline. Joining the Companions allows usage of the Skyforge’s unique crafting properties.

The Skyforge connects to Skyrim’s Nord heritage and enables crafting distinctive Nord Hero weaponry. It is a forge for those who appreciate lore alongside smithing benefits.

Other Noteworthy Forges (Dragonborn DLC Delights)

The Dragonborn DLC introduces two more forges with unique abilities:

• The Aetherium Forge (Dawnguard DLC): Technically from Dawnguard DLC, it deserves mention here.