Smithing for Profit: Becoming a Millionaire

Forget caravans. Forget workshops. If you want to fund a kingdom, pay for peace treaties, or buy the best armor in Calradia, you need to Smith for Profit.

Why Smithing?

Trading requires travel. Workshops require time. Smithing requires only Stamina and Hardwood. The Return on Investment (ROI) for a single crafted Two-Handed Sword can be over 10,000%.

The Golden Recipes

Not all weapons are created equal. The game calculates value based largely on Damage and Tier.

1. The Two-Handed Sword

This is the most reliable money maker.

• Blade: Tier 4 or 5 (Star Falchion or similar).

• Guard/Grip/Pommel: Whatever gives high handling or swing speed.

• Result: A sword that costs ~200 denars in materials but sells for 30,000+.

2. The Javelin

Historically the "cheat code" of Bannerlord.

• Head: Thin Hewing Spear Head (Tier 3) or better.

• Shaft: Mahogany.

• Result: Low resource cost, extremely high sell value.

Stamina Management: Your Companion Battery

Your main character has limited stamina. To maximize profit, recruit companions specifically to refine charcoal and materials.

1. Check Companions & Wanderers Guide to find wanderers with existing Smithing skills (look for "the Smith" suffix).

2. Even unskilled companions can refine Charcoal.

3. Have your main character do the Forging (for the XP and high skills), while companions do the Refining and Smelting.

Selling Strategy

You will eventually craft weapons worth more than an entire town's gold supply (50k - 100k).

• Don't sell all at once: You lose value if the town runs out of cash.

• Barter with Nobles: This is the best trick. Meet a noble, initiate a trade. Offer them crafted swords in exchange for their horses, food, and gold. You can strip a Lord of their entire inventory with 2 swords.

• Buy High-Tier Armor: Trade swords directly for Lordly armor in towns.

For a deeper dive into the mechanics of the forge, visit the Crafting & Smithing Hub.