Blacksmithing¶
Overview¶
Blacksmithing is one of the core crafting skills in UO:X, allowing players to forge weapons, armor, and shields from metal ingots. Blacksmiths can create everything from basic iron equipment to exceptional pieces crafted from rare colored metals. The skill requires access to both a forge and an anvil, and mastery of the craft opens up the ability to work with increasingly valuable materials.
Getting Started¶
Requirements¶
To practice blacksmithing, you need:
- A Forge - Used to heat and work metal
- An Anvil - Used to shape heated metal
- Smith's Hammer or Tongs - Your crafting tool (consumed with use)
- Metal Ingots - Raw materials for crafting
You must be within 2 tiles of both a forge and an anvil to craft items. The game will notify you if you're missing either requirement.
Tools¶
Blacksmithing tools have limited uses and will eventually wear out. When your tool breaks, you'll receive the message "You have worn out your tool!" You'll need to keep spare tools in your inventory or nearby.
Skill Gain¶
Blacksmithing skill increases through practice. The skill uses your Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence stats to calculate your effective skill level, with the formula weighted toward physical attributes.
To gain skill: 1. Craft items at or slightly above your current skill level 2. Items that are too easy (gray) won't provide gains 3. Items that are too difficult have a lower success rate 4. Failed attempts can still provide skill gains
Metal Types¶
Blacksmiths can work with various metal types, each requiring progressively higher skill levels:
| Metal Type | Minimum Skill | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | 0.0 | Standard metal, no bonuses |
| Dull Copper | 65.0 | Enhanced durability |
| Shadow Iron | 70.0 | Enhanced properties |
| Copper | 75.0 | Enhanced properties |
| Bronze | 80.0 | Enhanced properties |
| Gold | 85.0 | Enhanced properties |
| Agapite | 90.0 | Enhanced properties |
| Verite | 95.0 | Enhanced properties |
| Valorite | 99.0 | Superior properties |
Note: Colored metals provide bonuses to armor rating and weapon damage compared to standard iron equipment.
Crafting Categories¶
Ringmail Armor¶
Basic armor suitable for beginning blacksmiths:
| Item | Skill Required | Ingots Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ringmail Gloves | 12.0 - 62.0 | 10 |
| Ringmail Arms | 16.9 - 66.9 | 14 |
| Ringmail Legs | 19.4 - 69.4 | 16 |
| Ringmail Chest | 21.9 - 71.9 | 18 |
Chainmail Armor¶
Intermediate armor requiring moderate skill:
| Item | Skill Required | Ingots Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Chain Coif | 14.5 - 64.5 | 10 |
| Chain Legs | 36.7 - 86.7 | 18 |
| Chain Chest | 39.1 - 89.1 | 20 |
Plate Armor¶
Heavy armor for advanced blacksmiths:
| Item | Skill Required | Ingots Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Plate Gorget | 56.4 - 106.4 | 10 |
| Plate Gloves | 58.9 - 108.9 | 12 |
| Plate Arms | 66.3 - 116.3 | 18 |
| Plate Legs | 68.8 - 118.8 | 20 |
| Female Plate Chest | 44.1 - 94.1 | 20 |
| Plate Chest | 75.0 - 125.0 | 25 |
Helmets¶
Protective headgear of varying complexity:
| Item | Skill Required | Ingots Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Bascinet | 8.3 - 58.3 | 15 |
| Close Helm | 37.9 - 87.9 | 15 |
| Helmet | 37.9 - 87.9 | 15 |
| Norse Helm | 37.9 - 87.9 | 15 |
| Plate Helm | 62.6 - 112.6 | 15 |
Shields¶
Defensive equipment for protection:
| Item | Skill Required | Ingots Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Buckler | -25.0 - 25.0 | 10 |
| Bronze Shield | -15.2 - 34.8 | 12 |
| Metal Shield | -10.2 - 39.8 | 14 |
| Metal Kite Shield | 4.6 - 54.6 | 16 |
| Wooden Kite Shield | -15.2 - 34.8 | 8 |
| Heater Shield | 24.3 - 74.3 | 18 |
Bladed Weapons¶
Swords and bladed weapons for combat:
| Item | Skill Required | Ingots Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Dagger | -0.4 - 49.6 | 3 |
| Cutlass | 24.3 - 74.3 | 8 |
| Katana | 44.1 - 94.1 | 8 |
| Kryss | 36.7 - 86.7 | 8 |
| Longsword | 28.0 - 78.0 | 12 |
| Scimitar | 31.7 - 81.7 | 10 |
| Viking Sword | 24.3 - 74.3 | 14 |
| Broadsword | 35.4 - 85.4 | 10 |
Axes¶
Chopping weapons and tools:
| Item | Skill Required | Ingots Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Axe | 34.2 - 84.2 | 14 |
| Double Axe | 29.3 - 79.3 | 12 |
| Battle Axe | 30.5 - 80.5 | 14 |
| Large Battle Axe | 28.0 - 78.0 | 12 |
| Two Handed Axe | 33.0 - 83.0 | 16 |
| Executioner's Axe | 34.2 - 84.2 | 14 |
| War Axe | 39.1 - 89.1 | 16 |
Polearms¶
Long-reach weapons for combat:
| Item | Skill Required | Ingots Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Bardiche | 31.7 - 81.7 | 18 |
| Halberd | 39.1 - 89.1 | 20 |
| Short Spear | 45.3 - 95.3 | 6 |
| Spear | 49.0 - 99.0 | 12 |
| War Fork | 42.9 - 92.9 | 12 |
Bashing Weapons¶
Maces and hammers for crushing damage:
| Item | Skill Required | Ingots Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Mace | 14.5 - 64.5 | 6 |
| Maul | 19.4 - 69.4 | 10 |
| War Mace | 28.0 - 78.0 | 14 |
| Hammer Pick | 34.2 - 84.2 | 16 |
| War Hammer | 34.2 - 84.2 | 16 |
Quality Levels¶
Items you craft can have different quality levels based on your skill:
- Below Average - Created when barely succeeding at a difficult craft
- Normal - Standard quality items
- Exceptional - Superior quality items with enhanced properties
Exceptional items have better stats than normal items and can bear your maker's mark if you choose to mark them.
Maker's Mark¶
Blacksmiths can choose to place their maker's mark on exceptional items they create. This identifies you as the crafter and is a mark of pride for quality work. You can toggle this option in the crafting menu.
Remelting and Repair¶
Remelting¶
Failed crafting attempts or unwanted items can be remelted to recover some of the ingots used. This helps minimize material waste when practicing or when crafts fail.
Repair¶
Blacksmiths can repair damaged metal equipment, restoring durability to worn items. Higher skill levels allow you to repair more effectively and work with higher-quality materials.
Tips for Success¶
- Start Simple - Begin with ringmail and basic weapons to build your skill
- Stay Stocked - Keep extra tools and ingots on hand
- Location Matters - Set up near forges and anvils in towns or your home
- Practice Efficiently - Craft items at your skill level for best gains
- Save Materials - Remelt failed attempts to recover ingots
- Mark Your Work - Use maker's marks on exceptional pieces for recognition
- Colored Metals - Save rare colored ingots for when you have the skill to use them effectively
- Bulk Orders - Watch for bulk order deeds from NPC blacksmiths for rewards
Advanced Crafting¶
Dragon Scale Armor¶
Master blacksmiths can work with dragon scales to create powerful armor:
| Item | Skill Required | Scales Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Gloves | 68.9 - 118.9 | 16 |
| Dragon Helm | 72.6 - 122.6 | 20 |
| Dragon Arms | 76.3 - 126.3 | 24 |
| Dragon Legs | 78.8 - 128.8 | 28 |
| Dragon Chest | 85.0 - 135.0 | 36 |
Dragon scale armor can be crafted from various colored scales (red, yellow, black, green, white, or blue), each providing different properties.
Skill Interactions¶
Blacksmithing works well with: - Mining - Provides the raw ore you need for ingots - Arms Lore - Helps identify weapon and armor quality - Tactics/Combat Skills - Allows you to test your own creations - Tinkering - For creating your own tools
Common Messages¶
- "You create the item." - Successful craft
- "You create an exceptional quality item." - High-quality success
- "You create an exceptional quality item and affix your maker's mark." - Marked exceptional item
- "You were barely able to make this item. It's quality is below average." - Low-quality success
- "You failed to create the item, but no materials were lost." - Failed attempt, materials saved
- "You failed to create the item, and some of your materials are lost." - Failed attempt, materials lost
- "You have worn out your tool!" - Tool has broken
- "You must be near an anvil and a forge to smith items." - Missing required equipment