Smithing & Crafting Guide

Smithing is widely considered one of the most powerful skills in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. It allows you to print money, create weapons far superior to anything found in shops, and level up your character rapidly. This guide covers everything from the basic mechanics to crafting legendary blades.

The Basics: Stamina and Materials

Before you strike the anvil, you need to understand the economy of smithing.

• Stamina: Every action (Smelting, Refining, Forging) costs stamina. Your character (and companions) has 100 Stamina max. It only regenerates when you rest in a settlement.

• Materials: You will need a steady supply of Hardwood. Hardwood is refined into Charcoal (2 Hardwood = 1 Charcoal, or better with perks). Charcoal is the fuel for everything.

Smelting vs. Refining

• Smelting: Breaks down existing weapons into raw materials (Iron, Steel, Wood). This is the fastest way to unlock new weapon parts.

• Refining: Turns lower-tier metals (Iron Ore, Crude Iron) into higher tiers (Wrought Iron, Steel, Thamaskene Steel).

Leveling Smithing Fast

The fastest way to level smithing is not by making small daggers, but by performing high-value actions.

1. Recruit Smithing Companions: You can use your companions' stamina! Open the smithing menu and click the portrait on the bottom left to switch characters.

2. Smelt High-Tier Weapons: Buy Pugios (Empire) or Tribesman Throwing Daggers (Aserai/Khuzait). They are cheap but smelt into high-tier materials, giving massive XP.

3. Complete Orders: Fulfilling orders for notables gives huge XP and relationship bonuses.

Unlocking Parts: The Grind

To make the best weapons, you need to unlock parts. The game unlocks parts based on the difficulty and value of the item you smelt or forge.

• Strategy: Craft the highest difficulty Two-Handed Swords or Javelins you can. Smelt them down immediately. Repeat.

• Note: Unlocks are shared across your save file in sandbox mode settings, but generally, you unlock parts for the weapon type you are working on.

The "Javelin Economy": Making Money

For a long time, Javelins were the broken economy of Bannerlord. While patched, they (and Two-Handed Swords) remain the best way to make money.

The Money Recipe

Focus on Two-Handed Swords or Javelins.

1. Prioritize Damage (Swing Damage for swords, Pierce for Javelins).

2. Use higher tier parts as you unlock them.

3. A Tier 4 Two-Handed Sword can easily sell for 20,000 to 60,000 denars.

See our Economy & Trade Guide for more tips on managing your newfound wealth.

Crafting Legendary Weapons

Once you hit high skill levels (275+), you have a chance to craft "Legendary" or "Masterwork" weapons with bonus stats. These custom weapons can have speed and damage ratings impossible to find in towns.

Pro Tip: Name your creations! Nothing beats conquering Calradia with a sword named "The Kingmaker."

For advice on which weapons to craft for your build, check out Best Weapons & Gear.