Blacksmith Build : V

» Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:24 pm

So, I am looking to build a male Orc Blacksmith who came to Skyrim to learn the art of his trade. I have some questions first, though.

What is the general history and relations of the Orc people? Where do they come from and what is their general attitude towards life, political issues, and the other races themselves?
What quests, off the top of your heads, are suitable for a blacksmith type character?
Warhammers are apparently well-suited, so how can I obtain one fairly early on within the game?
How can I level Smithing early on within the game?

» Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:35 pm

Not really possible when almost every single thing in the game revolves around combat.

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:43 am

I edited the OP. As I said, I want to role-play as an average person in the world.

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:00 am

Not really possible when almost every single thing in the game revolves around combat.

I don't mean someone who avoids combat. Simply, I don't want to focus myself onto combat skills and I want to play as a regular guy.

» Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:12 pm

Well, as far as an honest working citizen, quests that involve you delivering something (Frost solts for Arcadia, Trade agreement from Riften to Markarth) or quests that some people give that involve getting a personal item from a cave (Read: Probably going to have to kill a few bears) would be about what I'd expect you could do.

However, it would be quite possible to pull off most of the thieves guild quest line and random thievery without inciting a whole lot of fighting, assuming you don't mind getting your hands dirty, that is.

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:06 am

Well, as far as an honest working citizen, quests that involve you delivering something (Frost solts for Arcadia, Trade agreement from Riften to Markarth) or quests that some people give that involve getting a personal item from a cave (Read: Probably going to have to kill a few bears) would be about what I'd expect you could do.

However, it would be quite possible to pull off most of the thieves guild quest line and random thievery without inciting a whole lot of fighting, assuming you don't mind getting your hands dirty, that is.

I kind of wanted him to be a legitimate guy who didn't steal, but it could work within the role-play I suppose.

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:28 am

There are plenty of quests involving clearing out mines which would be justifiable for the ore you can pick up... also perhaps investigating Dwemer ruins in order to study the master metallurgists. You could stick to your smithing gear, and simply bring along a real heavy of a follower for protection... pay them in superior arms and armour for their inventory.

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:06 am

I kind of wanted him to be a legitimate guy.

Then besides random retireve and deliver quests, I don't think there's any major quests you could go through.

There is a quest perfectly befitting a blacksmith you can get from From-Deepest-Fathoms. While it does involve a Dwemer ruin, the combat is minor and a follower could probably handle most of it. The reward actually helps you improve your smithing 15% faster.

As for something in Dawnguard, I'll add a spoiler here.

Spoiler

There is a side quest in Dawnguard that involves you going through a couple of Dwemer ruins and exploring around Skyrim to get a special metal, at the end you use a special forge that was assumed to not actually exist and create sort of the epitome of smithing in your choice of a few items. If you get Dawnguard, look for a white book called The Aetherium Wars.

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:52 am

I kind of wanted him to be a legitimate guy.

So, you can't do any guilds, probably not Bard's collage either. You can only do miscellaneous quests, and not ones like killing bandits. You can't become Thane of any hold, you can't do the vast majority of dungeons, you're not going to be able to do any of the DLCs, etc.

The game limits you so much in terms of any sort of non-blood-letting build the whole premise would end up being extremely boring.

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:26 am

Give him a beard. All blacksmiths need a beard. :disguise:

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:06 am

Any ideas as to what race I should be for a blacksmith?

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:14 pm

Any ideas as to what race I should be for a blacksmith?

Orc or Nord. Though, Orcs are usually born to blacksmith. Though, it would be funny seeing a Mer be the best blacksmith in all of Skyrim.

» Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:04 pm

So, you can't do any guilds, probably not Bard's collage either. You can only do miscellaneous quests, and not ones like killing bandits. You can't become Thane of any hold, you can't do the vast majority of dungeons, you're not going to be able to do any of the DLCs, etc.

The game limits you so much in terms of any sort of non-blood-letting build the whole premise would end up being extremely boring.

I don't been he doesn't kill. I just mean I didn't originally plan for him to be a thief. Killing bandits is hardly evil in my opinion anyway.

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:32 am

Orc or Nord. Though, Orcs are usually born to blacksmith. Though, it would be funny seeing a Mer be the best blacksmith in all of Skyrim.

I hate elves generally and, seeing as I have never played as an Orc, that could actually be fun. What are the Nords views on Orcs by the way?

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:12 am

Give him a beard. All blacksmiths need a beard. :disguise:

Yes, they do indeed.

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:41 am

All the quests that involve mines, and the blacksmiths favour quests should give you many hours of content. You would have to play it as the Dragonborn so you can get the dragon bones as well. Also, you shouls go up both sides of the smithing tree an create light and heavy armour - take followers skilled in the opposite armour as you are so you've got a reason to make them other than sales.

If you've got Dawnguard you can start him with a young complexion then make him old towards the end.

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:33 am

Then besides random retireve and deliver quests, I don't think there's any major quests you could go through.

There is a quest perfectly befitting a blacksmith you can get from From-Deepest-Fathoms. While it does involve a Dwemer ruin, the combat is minor and a follower could probably handle most of it. The reward actually helps you improve your smithing 15% faster.

As for something in Dawnguard, I'll add a spoiler here.

Spoiler

There is a side quest in Dawnguard that involves you going through a couple of Dwemer ruins and exploring around Skyrim to get a special metal, at the end you use a special forge that was assumed to not actually exist and create sort of the epitome of smithing in your choice of a few items. If you get Dawnguard, look for a white book called The Aetherium Wars.

I don't mean legitimate as in a pure good guy, but rather just a decent normal person. Considering the time period, I doubt killing bandits would be seen as wrong but I mean he wouldn't do things such as the Dark Brotherhood.

» Sun Jul 29, 2012 9:43 pm

Any ideas as to what race I should be for a blacksmith?

Go Nord, Orcs can't do the "Forgemaster's Fingers" quest at the Orc strongholds, because they get automatic entry to the stronghold

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:33 am

Choosing a non-traditional race for blacksmithing, like Khajit or one of the elves, would really give you that whole "Take that, everyone, I can smith circles of rare metals around you!" type of satisfaction when you start getting ahead of other smiths. Not to mention the whole "No one believes in me" type of start.

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:22 am

All the quests that involve mines, and the blacksmiths favour quests should give you many hours of content. You would have to play it as the Dragonborn so you can get the dragon bones as well. Also, you shouls go up both sides of the smithing tree an create light and heavy armour - take followers skilled in the opposite armour as you are so you've got a reason to make them other than sales. If you've got Dawnguard you can start him with a young complexion then make him old towards the end.

I do have Dawnguard. As for armour, I was initially going to merely wear clothes, but most of the blacksmiths actually wear light armour unless I am mistaken? What armour does Eorland wear?

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:05 am

Go Nord, Orcs can't do the "Forgemaster's Fingers" quest at the Orc strongholds, because they get automatic entry to the stronghold

One quest isn't enough to warrant me going purely Nord. Besides, I thought all the quests could be done by all the races within this game?

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:14 am

Choosing a non-traditional race for blacksmithing, like Khajit or one of the elves, would really give you that whole "Take that, everyone, I can smith circles of rare metals around you!" type of satisfaction when you start getting ahead of other smiths. Not to mention the whole "No one believes in me" type of start.

Personally, I doubt an elf would work. They are hated by Nords for the most part, so getting trained by said Nord blacksmiths wouldn't make sense. It also would ruin the whole "came to Skyrim to learn the trade" idea, as an elf wouldn't want to train with Nords who are racist to him or (if he supports the Thalmor) he sees as "lesser beings".

» Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:13 pm

What armour do you think is best suited to a blacksmith? Naturally, I think light, but what is the armour which Eorland wears at the Skyforge?

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:04 am

Also, how can I begin levelling my Smithing early within the game?

» Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:08 am

I think a great armor would be the Savior's Hide, the quest for it is quite easy and something that an "average man" could do. Although I would suggest it being your later-game goal for what you would wear.

Spoiler

The Savior's Hide is one of the Daedric artifact of Hircine, obtained by going to Falkreath and entering the jail to speak with Sinding. By killing Sinding for the quest, you get the Savior's Hide.

As for Eorlund, doesn't he just wear hide armor?

As far as leveling goes, leather armor is cheaper to make than iron at first, especially if you supplement smithing with hunting deer and wolves. Once you hit 30 smithing, go with the Dwarven smithing perk. If you're going to delve into Dwarven places, you'll have all the ingots you will ever need to level smithing.