Leveling smithing in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord can feel like a grind. Many players struggle with the slow progression and the seemingly endless need for resources. This article offers a solution by detailing five proven methods that shortcut the process, providing concrete strategies, and incorporating unique insights to make your smithing journey more efficient and enjoyable. We’ll explore everything from profitable crafting choices to strategic resource acquisition.
The early game is crucial for establishing a solid smithing foundation. Don’t waste valuable resources on items that provide minimal experience.
Focus on Charcoal Production
**Before even swinging a hammer, invest in charcoal production.** Charcoal is essential for smelting, and having a steady supply will prevent bottlenecks later. You can purchase hardwood in bulk from villages (look for villages specializing in wood) and convert it to charcoal at a smithy. This provides a small but consistent experience boost and sets you up for more complex crafting.
Smelting is Your Friend
**Early on, smelting is often more efficient than crafting.** Focus on smelting looted weapons, especially those of higher tiers. Faction-specific weapons tend to yield better materials. This not only provides experience but also unlocks new weapon parts, which are vital for crafting higher-tier items later on.
The Importance of Unlocking Parts
Unlock weapon parts as quickly as possible, specifically those needed for Javelins, two handed swords, and polearms. You do this by smelting weapons that unlock the parts for the weapons mentioned prior. Once you have them, create the highest possible tier of item you can for the quickest and most effective smithing level. It’s important to note that the difficulty of the weapon part also affects smithing xp. This will lead to more profits later on.
The mid-game is where you start to see significant progress and profit from your smithing skill.
Crafting Javelins for Profit and XP
**Javelins are, for many, the most lucrative item to craft and the best way to gain experience.** The specific components might vary depending on your unlocked parts, but aim for javelins with high damage and difficulty ratings. These sell for a good price and provide substantial smithing experience.
Two-Handed Swords: A Viable Alternative
While Javelins are popular, two-handed swords can be equally effective if you’ve unlocked the right parts. Experiment with different blade, guard, grip, and pommel combinations to find the most profitable and experience-rich recipe. Look for longer blades as they typically have higher difficulty ratings.
Strategic Stamina Management
**Smithing consumes stamina, and running out means waiting or using focus points to replenish it.** Plan your smithing sessions strategically. Craft a batch of javelins, sell them, and then replenish your stamina before crafting another batch. Consider increasing your Endurance skill, as this increases the amount of stamina that your character has.
Beyond the standard advice, here are some insights I’ve gained from hundreds of hours of Bannerlord smithing.
Don’t Neglect Smelting Even Later On
Even when you can craft high-tier items, continue smelting. **Smelting is a fantastic way to acquire rarer materials like Thamaskene Steel, which are essential for crafting the most valuable weapons.** Furthermore, certain parts are just easier to unlock through smelting than crafting and hoping for a lucky unlock.
The Village Connection
**Pay attention to village specializations.** Villages that produce wood or ore are your best friends. Regularly visiting these villages to buy resources in bulk can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Establish workshops in towns near these villages to maximize your profit. This will provide you with a passive income boost and give the town additional income.
Experimentation is Key
While javelins are generally profitable, don’t be afraid to experiment with other weapon types. **Patches can change the profitability of certain items, and new parts are constantly being added.** Staying flexible and adapting to the current meta will ensure you always have a viable smithing strategy.
My Biggest Smithing Mistake
My biggest mistake early on was focusing solely on crafting without paying enough attention to unlocking parts. I wasted a lot of resources crafting items that gave minimal experience and didn’t contribute to unlocking better components. **Prioritize unlocking parts through smelting, even if it means a temporary dip in profits.** This investment will pay off significantly in the long run.
Simulated User Scenario: The “Resource Run”
Imagine you’re starting a new Bannerlord campaign. Instead of immediately engaging in combat, head to a village specializing in hardwood. Buy all the hardwood you can afford. Then, travel to the nearest town with a smithy and convert the hardwood to charcoal. Sell the excess charcoal. Next, visit nearby battlefields and loot weapons. Smelt those weapons, focusing on unlocking javelin and two-handed sword parts. Repeat this “resource run” a few times to build a solid foundation before diving into the main campaign.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, these advanced techniques can further optimize your smithing progress.
Focus Points and Smithing
**Allocate focus points to Smithing and Endurance.** Smithing allows you to learn more quickly, while Endurance increases your stamina, enabling you to smith for longer periods. Intelligence also plays a role, boosting your learning rate. Plan your character build to maximize smithing efficiency.
Companion Smithing
Companions can also smith, allowing you to produce even more items and gain experience faster. **Recruit companions with high Endurance and Intelligence, and equip them with good quality tools.** This can significantly boost your overall smithing output.
Order of Unlocking Weapon Parts
**The order you smelt items to unlock weapon parts will affect the speed at which your character smiths, and how effectively they smith.** A good order to unlock parts would be to first smelt weapons that unlock javelin and two handed sword parts. Once that is accomplished, craft as many javelins or two handed swords as possible for maximum profit.
In the late game, smithing becomes less about leveling and more about crafting the best possible equipment for yourself and your companions.
Crafting God-Tier Weapons
**Once you’ve unlocked all the best parts, focus on crafting weapons with maximum damage, speed, and handling.** These weapons will be incredibly powerful in combat and can significantly improve your character’s performance.
Selling to Specific Towns
Not all towns are created equal. **Some towns have higher demand for specific types of weapons.** Experiment to find the towns that offer the best prices for your crafted items.
Smithing for Influence
If you’re running your own kingdom, smithing can be used to generate influence. **Craft high-quality weapons and gift them to lords in your kingdom to increase their loyalty and improve your overall standing.**
With years of experience playing Mount & Blade, I’ve extensively explored and experimented with the smithing system in Bannerlord. The strategies outlined above are based on my personal gameplay, observations, and analysis of the game’s mechanics. While exact values and mechanics can change with updates, the core principles remain consistent. Further information on game mechanics and updates can be found on the Mount & Blade Wiki.
While specific URLs for game mechanics are subject to change with updates, general information on Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord can be found on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord
| Item Type | Reason | Early Game | Mid/Late Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Javelins | High damage, good profit, decent XP | Craft basic javelins | Craft high-tier javelins with best available parts |
| Two-Handed Swords | Good damage, high difficulty parts provide good XP | Focus on unlocking parts | Craft best possible two-handed swords |
| Charcoal | Essential for smelting, steady experience gain | Always produce charcoal | Maintain charcoal production |
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about smithing in Bannerlord:
What is the fastest way to level up smithing in Bannerlord 2?The fastest way is to focus on crafting high-tier javelins or two-handed swords. Prioritize unlocking parts through smelting and then craft the most difficult item you can consistently produce.
What are the best items to craft for profit in Bannerlord 2?Javelins are generally the most profitable, but high-tier two-handed swords can also be lucrative. Experiment to find the best combinations of parts for your unlocked recipes.
How do I unlock new weapon parts in Bannerlord 2?You unlock new weapon parts primarily by smelting weapons. Focus on smelting weapons that are of a similar type to what you want to craft.
Is smithing worth it in Bannerlord 2?Yes, smithing is absolutely worth it. It’s a great way to make money, craft powerful weapons, and generate influence. It does require an initial investment of time and resources, but the rewards are well worth it.