Blacksmithing

Overview

Blacksmiths hammer metal bars into armor, weapons and utility items. Along the way you make sharpening stones and weightstones that every melee class uses, belt buckles and shield spikes, skeleton keys that open locked chests, and the inert rods enchanters need. The top end includes some of the strongest pre-raid plate pieces in the game, such as the Lionheart Helm, plus fire-resistance gear from Thorium Brotherhood plans used in Molten Core.

Many of the best results require Dark Iron bars or Arcanite, so blacksmiths often rely on miners and alchemists. Several Dark Iron plans can only be crafted at the Black Anvil in Blackrock Depths.

Leveling tips

• Level Mining alongside it, or plan a large ore budget: the 125–250 range uses a lot of Iron, Steel, Mithril and Thorium bars.
• Sharpening stones and weightstones are great skill-ups early because they also use cheap stone and sell to other players.
• Steel bars need Iron and coal; coal is sold by trade vendors, so buy plenty before a session.
• Pick your specialization at 200 with care: changing later costs gold and you lose the specialization recipes you learned.
• The Artisan trainer is in Booty Bay, so combine the trip with other Stranglethorn business once you approach 225.

Making gold

Sharpening stones and weightstones sell steadily to melee players. Thorium Brotherhood fire-resistance gear is in demand from guilds preparing for Molten Core and Blackwing Lair. Rare world-drop plans like the Lionheart Helm are an investment, but crafting fees from guildmates add up over time.