Anyone not a blacksmith? : V

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:11 pm

I was thinking about starting a new character (after I manage to get some achievements with this one, that are obsessing me -.-) that will not make use of smithing,
and I was wondering if anyone here has tried a playthrough without using said skill.
Would you mind sharing your experiences/opinions?

Personally, the thing that "bugs" me the most, if I think about it, is not having the ability to upgrade weapons and armor (because I was thinking about using smithing just for the dragon armor and upgrades, while waiting for loot found in the world.)
What do you think?

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 9:08 am

You'll do just fine. My Redguard is plenty OP without any crafting skill.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 1:03 pm

As an outspoken forum member that believes being a town blacksmith is.. not for me. I can saftely say you just need Arcane Smith, so you can sharpen your blades and buff your armor, and you can hit armor caps and have deadly blades.

At least you will need Arcane smith for master. You could probably get away with no perks on adept, depending on your build.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:47 pm

I personally have invested very little time into smithing and no perks. Lvl 26 sneak thief and I'm doing just fine with upgrading weapons and armor to "fine" quality currently.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:32 pm

I only have one character that's gotten any perks with Smithing.

Not only is it completely viable, it's immensely more fun for a lot of people.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:45 pm

At least you will need Arcane smith for master. You could probably get away with no perks on adept, depending on your build.

None of my characters have this perk, and I play on master.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:16 pm

Thanks for all the answers, my next char will be using Sneak/Archery/Light Armor/One Handed/Shield/Alchemy (Only healing potions)/Smithing (only upgrades and dragon)/Enchanting (mostly use Soul trap on bows, I still don't know why -.-)

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:28 pm

My current character - a melee, 2-handed Warrior - has done no smithing at all. He gets along fine.

::EDIT:: I play on Adept, if that makes any difference.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:36 pm

Because life stealing bows are fun?

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:36 pm

@ levanon, i am sure it isnt necessary for certain builds there as well. I feel my advice is good for a general rule to avoid deaths and frustration, but not a catch-all.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:55 pm

Never touched smithing on any of my characters, and I can still kill things fine.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 6:30 pm

My current Orc (my second) stopped at Orcish armor

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:04 pm

I can count the things I've made/upgraded with smithing on one hand, with my 2 characters. (My only 2.)

edit: added /upgraded

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:27 am

@ levanon, i am sure it isnt necessary for certain builds there as well. I feel my advice is good for a general rule to avoid deaths and frustration, but not a catch-all.

Actually, one of my characters is a full-fledged blacksmith.

Arcane Blacksmith is useless if you're crafting and enchanting your own gear, since you can just enchant your gear after you enhance it.

Arcane Blacksmith is also useless is you're not planning on leveling your smithing skill very high, as you won't be able to significantly improve your gear, anyway.

Arcane Blacksmith is only useful if you decide to level smithing, but not enchanting; that way you can still improve the magic gear that you use.

» Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:00 am

Good to know. I was just thinking the same thing. Smithing is a chore to me, and I always find good stuff laying around anyway.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:34 pm

Fortify smithing gear is commonly sold by npc merchants. Using a couple of these items , arcane smith, and a blacksmith elixur allows you to reach legendary status on any weapon or armor found in the games loot/quest reward system.

Since the OP said he did not plan on crafting his own items, arcane smith requires a small investment for a great synergy with that approach.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 7:23 pm

I've got roles I'm playing without smithing, a Thief who steals what he can and make do with that. Also have a mage that don't touch smithing and relies on enchanting, both builds are working just fine without smithing. :biggrin:

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:03 pm

I haven't smithed on any of my characters apart from the orc I've just started. Done fine :cryvaultboy:

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:21 pm

My thief-assassin doesnt use smithing and he still kicks *ss.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:34 pm

My mage only smithed a couple silver rings and a silver necklace so that he would have his own stuff. He He had to buy a circlet though. Mages don't really need smithing though since they don't use weapons or armor.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:44 pm

I'm probably going to grind smithing to level 100 after level 40 or 50 to get the dragon armor, but I will not use any of the things I crafted.. or I will just boost iron daggers, even if I don't like the idea really much

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:03 am

My first character I've made is Dunmer Assassin and he's never smithed a thing in his life, and he's working out pretty good. He's only at like level 19 or something though, so I can't really say anything about higher levels.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 6:27 pm

Don't use smithing on my character either. It makes it so much more enjoyable when you find Daedric gear. Finding a Daedric bow and Daedric gauntlets in the same dungeon at level 37 was awesome. By the way it was the dwemer ruin near dawn star.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:12 am

I can't imagine playing without Smithing. I always took Armorer to the 125% 100 skill perk in Oblivion. Always. Seems I'll concentrate on Smithing in this game as well regardless of my character's combat/armor skill focus.

» Thu Dec 15, 2011 6:29 pm

I havn't made a habit out of smithing but I am trying to do it more since I am a person that always obsesses getting better gear in any rpg I play and to get some of the best stuff you have to be able to make it yourself. I am not complaining about it though I think it is an interesting gameplay dynamic.