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A powerful Dragonborn is only made stronger with powerful gear, makingSkyrim’sSmithing skill essential to power level early on. As one of three crafting-centered skills in the game, Smithing opens up an entirely new avenue of items for players. You can create anything from dragon bone armor sets and expensive jewelry to powerful weapons - all to improve your abilities or fill your purse.
Related:Skyrim: How To Power Level Sneak
Fortunately, Smithing isn’t a difficult skill to power level. In fact, new players can get stuck into Smithing so long as they are dedicated to grinding the game to refine this skill. Looking to craft high-tier items and more? Then keep reading below for a quick refresher on how Smithing leveling works and all the best tips to power level it efficiently.
Updated By Nathan Round on November 7th, 2022:We have populated this article with relevant links to articles that will benefit all you Skyrim players out there. Images have also been updated to give this guide a greater aesthetic.
How Leveling Smithing Works
Back in the days of the Xbox 360/PS3, you used to be able to take advantage of the age-old “Iron Dagger technique” to max out your Smithing levels. All a Dragonborn had to do was to craft hundreds upon hundreds of Iron Daggers - one of the cheapest items to make - and boom, level 100. Unfortunately, the game has since patched that exploit, changing how Smithing leveling works.
Now, Smithing will give experience based onthe value of the item craftedrather than a flat amount per item. Similarly toPickpocketing, you’ll gain more experience incrafting higher-value items. So, in this case, it’s best to focus on quality over quantity. You can also gain Smithing experience byimproving a weaponat a grindstone orimproving armor/shieldsat a workbench. The amount of experience granted for both processes depends on thestrength of the improvementyou make!
Easiest Ways To Power Level Smithing - Rings Upon Rings
Since Smithing levels are determined by the value of an item, the best way for you to quickly max out the skill is bycrafting Gold Rings. While Gold Rings aren’t the highest-value item in the game, they are surprisingly the most efficient item to forge.One Gold Ingot will net you two Gold Rings(as opposed to a single Gold necklace), allowing you to quickly mass-produce them at the forge. Even better, you may combine these Gold Rings with anygemsyou have to further increase their value. You can find gems by pickpocketing NPCs or stealing from Skyrim’s shops. Now, with pockets laden with Gold Rings, you should end up with a Smithing skill of 100 and lots of expensive jewelry to sell. Applying enhancements will also increase the ring’s value but may take longer to do.
To quickly get gold ingots, you’ll need theTransmute Mineral Orespell tome. You’ll be able to find it within theHalted Stream Camplocated north of Whiterun. This Alteration spell will allow you to turn any iron ore into silver and any silver ore into gold. After learning the spell, you can then buy out all the iron and silver from Skyrim’s stores and transform them yourself into gold in no time. Alternatively, you couldmine orein caves yourself, but that will take significantly longer.
Here’s an extra bonus for those of you who happen to already be at level 100 Enchanting - if you choose your Perks wisely, you canplace a 25% cost reductionon four items. This will make yourspell cost zero, allowing you to Transmute Mineral Ore to your heart’s content.
Related:Skyrim: How To Power Level Enchanting
Additional Potions And Spells To Use For Bonus XP
Another method to power-level Smithing is by taking advantage of potions. Draughts like theBlacksmith’s Potion or Elixirwill give you anywhere from a 20 - 50% bonus to weapon and armor improving for 30 seconds. This means you’ll be able to temper your gear forstronger enhancements, which in turn will boost your Smithing skill. If you decide to craft these potions yourself, this process will also significantly boost your Alchemy skill! These potions may lean on the expensive side (unless already you’ve power leveled your Sneak for stealthy stealing), but they’ll grant some bonus experience at the grindstone. You’ll be able to buy these potions from mostApothecary merchants.
If you’re looking for a more magical solution, you can also make use of theFortify Smithingenchantment. This enchantment can be learned by dis-enchanting an item that hasFortify Smithingalready on it. You’ll likely be able to find these enchanted items at blacksmith shops or by looting enemies. Once you know it, you can enchant jewelry or armor tostack the Fortify Smithingeffect. This will increase your bonus to improving items at a grindstone, but it will not affect crafting at a forge.
And that covers all of our tips on power leveling Smithing! If you’re looking to Power Level other skills, be sure to check back here for more tips and tricks on quickly becoming the strongest Dragonborn possible.
