How to level up blacksmithing?

[DarknessOrLight]

My blacksmith can't keep up with my party. Unlike tinkerer where you can just make lockpicks or cook where you can make grilled meat, the blacksmith requires a lot of mats and the exp gain is very low. My party levels up faster than I can get mats to level up the blacksmith. Has anyone found a sustainable and efficient leveling method for blacksmithing?

[Geronimooo]

the throwing knives and axes are the cheapest to make since they don't require special mats. i personally don't care much about the smith since most stuff he makes is useless. i only make the early spears and the shields. all else i buy/steal from mercs.

[Artful Dodger]

I was perhaps lucky in that it was the first skill I really took to, even in comparison to cooking which I started quite late.

I went through all the different sets with one of my original party members. Iron Swords, Bec de Corbin and the different armours and shields. Then did the same with Steel, then did the same with the Rimesteel sets. Haven't got all my party with three slots Rimesteel sets yet but my main Blacksmith is a Journeyman and my back up who I use to make reinforced layers is Experienced. Bare in mind that you can sell the stuff you make to operate at a profit. Iron ore is particularly abundant in mines, just keep getting it and keep Smithing for either new equipment you can use or to sell.

I would also advise taking the big XP boost that is a camp event if you are offered something like 500xp for your Blacksmith's profession. I have got that boost from camp events for different professions, it's possibly triggered by particularly strong performance in combat.

[Artful Dodger]

Originally posted by Geronimooo:

the throwing knives and axes are the cheapest to make since they don't require special mats. i personally don't care much about the smith since most stuff he makes is useless. i only make the early spears and the shields. all else i buy/steal from mercs.

You might be missing a trick, in my opinion the three slot Rimesteel armours are superior to all the armour you can get with the possible exception of the two slot level 10 or higher sets. This is because adding something like 9% to your critical chance (3x Bard Reinforced layer) or +7% critical and +2 movement (2x Rat Reinforced Layer and 1x Bard Reinforced Layer) is better than extra armour or guard in most instances.

[Robin of Spiritwood]

Originally posted by DarknessOrLight:

the blacksmith requires a lot of mats and the exp gain is very low. My party levels up faster than I can get mats to level up the blacksmith. Has anyone found a sustainable and efficient leveling method for blacksmithing?

It's very grindy indeed, and limited by resources as you describe. IRL time is also limited by having to do a mini game once per item.

Suggestions:
1) Upgrade the Tinker's Table in camp, so you can dismantle completed items.
2) Make one of the mercs a thief.
3) Try to complete the Banner camp item.
4) Pick items that don't use the mini-game.

After making a pile of -say- iron throwing daggers, Camp, and use the Banner to set the Trade Fair option. Sell all your daggers to the Smith, and immediately steal the pile back. Haul them over to the Fence, and sell the stolen items a second time. Steal them all back once again, then Camp, and dismantle them to regain some materials. At your earliest convenience, say hello to the Guard, and pay off the crime.

Left Hand Specialists Perk reduces materials consumed for thrown weaponry.

Blacksmith XP gain needs to be upped by about 1/3 for the profession to keep pace with levelling.

[Nasarog]

Originally posted by Artful Dodger:

Originally posted by Geronimooo:

the throwing knives and axes are the cheapest to make since they don't require special mats. i personally don't care much about the smith since most stuff he makes is useless. i only make the early spears and the shields. all else i buy/steal from mercs.

You might be missing a trick, in my opinion the three slot Rimesteel armours are superior to all the armour you can get with the possible exception of the two slot level 10 or higher sets. This is because adding something like 9% to your critical chance (3x Bard Reinforced layer) or +7% critical and +2 movement (2x Rat Reinforced Layer and 1x Bard Reinforced Layer) is better than extra armour or guard in most instances.

Rimsteel - More info please.

Originally posted by Robin of Spiritwood:

Originally posted by DarknessOrLight:

the blacksmith requires a lot of mats and the exp gain is very low. My party levels up faster than I can get mats to level up the blacksmith. Has anyone found a sustainable and efficient leveling method for blacksmithing?

It's very grindy indeed, and limited by resources as you describe. IRL time is also limited by having to do a mini game once per item.

Suggestions:
1) Upgrade the Tinker's Table in camp, so you can dismantle completed items.
2) Make one of the mercs a thief.
3) Try to complete the Banner camp item.
4) Pick items that don't use the mini-game.

After making a pile of -say- iron throwing daggers, Camp, and use the Banner to set the Trade Fair option. Sell all your daggers to the Smith, and immediately steal the pile back. Haul them over to the Fence, and sell the stolen items a second time. Steal them all back once again, then Camp, and dismantle them to regain some materials. At your earliest convenience, say hello to the Guard, and pay off the crime.

Left Hand Specialists Perk reduces materials consumed for thrown weaponry.

Blacksmith XP gain needs to be upped by about 1/3 for the profession to keep pace with levelling.

So, no true two weapon experts?

[Artful Dodger]

Originally posted by Nasarog:

Originally posted by Artful Dodger:

You might be missing a trick, in my opinion the three slot Rimesteel armours are superior to all the armour you can get with the possible exception of the two slot level 10 or higher sets. This is because adding something like 9% to your critical chance (3x Bard Reinforced layer) or +7% critical and +2 movement (2x Rat Reinforced Layer and 1x Bard Reinforced Layer) is better than extra armour or guard in most instances.

Rimsteel - More info please.

Rimesteel is an advanced material which can be acquired in a number of ways. The most obvious and easy being to buy it from the Apothecary in Grimneer once you get as far as that region. It can also be made by higher level Alchemists in your group by using Grey Clusters. If you have not encountered these yet they can be purchased from golden caravans, mined by Journeymen Miners and on rare occasions are found on the world map.

But essentially, Rimesteel is used to make the 'Spectral' Light, Medium and Heavy Armour sets. In my view, these are the best sets available provided you have three slots on them (made much easier by an unlock in one of the paths) - the three slots allow for three layers, such as three bard layers offering +9% critical chance, or my personal preference for most classes - two layers of the rat and one layer of the bard for +7% critical chance and +2 movement.

[Nasarog]

Originally posted by Artful Dodger:

Originally posted by Nasarog:

Rimsteel - More info please.

Rimesteel is an advanced material which can be acquired in a number of ways. The most obvious and easy being to buy it from the Apothecary in Grimneer once you get as far as that region. It can also be made by higher level Alchemists in your group by using Grey Clusters. If you have not encountered these yet they can be purchased from golden caravans, mined by Journeymen Miners and on rare occasions are found on the world map.

But essentially, Rimesteel is used to make the 'Spectral' Light, Medium and Heavy Armour sets. In my view, these are the best sets available provided you have three slots on them (made much easier by an unlock in one of the paths) - the three slots allow for three layers, such as three bard layers offering +9% critical chance, or my personal preference for most classes - two layers of the rat and one layer of the bard for +7% critical chance and +2 movement.

Ah, I can learn how to make/use the steel, my blacksmith is high level, I think. I've been using him like crazy. I'll need to try that.