In the harsh land of Skyrim , having the correct gear is of import to whatever player's survival. And often, the all-time way to make sure the Dragonborn's gear is correct for them is to get in themselves. Notwithstanding, even mid-level smiths can take trouble boosting the power of their armor and weapons.

Luckily, Alchemy comes to the rescue. Though it might seem daunting at first, players can speedily main the nuts to mash a potion of Fortify Smithing. Here'due south how to craft these concoctions, to help the hero of Skyrim bulk upwards their steel and ebony.

Updated Oct eleven, 2021 by Demaris Oxman: The Fortify Smithing event remains i of the most popular among Skyrim's aspiring alchemists, and it's no wonder. By buffing the Smithing skill to new heights, players can achieve untold numbers in both damage and armor. Potions are amongst the easiest ways to access a temporary, but significant, boost in this arena. To that end, this guide has been updated to include more detailed information on where to detect the ingredients for these potions, as well as new recipes that incorporate additional effects.

The Fortify Smithing Issue

Skyrim character smithing

Every bit virtually players can guess, potions with the Fortify Smithing effect will increase the corporeality by which they tin can better armor and weapons at a Workbench or Grindstone, respectively. The histrion's skill in Alchemy will decide how much the player's Smithing improvements increase.

To brand stronger potions, players must raise their Alchemy skill level. The all-time way to do this is simply by making as many potions as possible, or to buy training sessions from sure NPCs. Additionally, if players are looking for a peak Alchemist build, they may consider picking one of the races that receive bonuses to the skill: Bosmer, Breton, Khajiit, or Dunmer.

Fortify Smithing Ingredients

Clockwise from top left: spriggan sap, sabre cat, blisterwort patch, glowing mushrooms

A rare effect in Skyrim, simply four ingredients tin be used to create Potions of Fortify Smithing. Fortunately, they're not as well hard to come up by. These iv items tin be found in various locations throughout the world. The Dragonborn can also purchase them at reasonable prices from alchemical merchants — or steal them, if they are and so inclined.

  • Blisterwort: Equally one of Skyrim's well-nigh common mushrooms, these grow abundantly in plenty of caves throughout the world.
    • Blackreach is a good source of these mushrooms, as well every bit several other fungi and alchemical ingredients.
    • Halldir'due south Cairn, located southwest of Falkreath, is another skilful source.
    • Chillwind Depths, s of Dragon Span, has high numbers of Blisterwort.
  • Glowing Mushroom: These luminescent fungi are common in caves, Dwemer ruins, and other underground areas. Players can spot them easily due to their distinctive calorie-free.
    • Tovald's Cavern, northeast of Shor's Rock, is a veritable treasure trove of these fungi, boasting hundreds.
    • The basement of Honninbrew Meadery contains dozens. Players admission this area during the Thieves' Guild quest "Dampened Spirits."
    • Early in the game, players tin find a decent number at the exit for Dour Falls Barrow.
  • Sabre Cat Tooth: Face up down the fearsome creatures, and rip teeth from their mouths. Sabre Cats roam the wilderness effectually Whiterun and Winterhold. Their cousins, the Vale Sabre Cats in the Dawnguard DLC, drop this detail also.
    • Greenspring Hollow in Whiterun Concur is home to several of these fierce felines. Low-level players should take care, as they can be quite fierce in numbers.
  • Spriggan Sap: Though its proper noun suggests otherwise, this particular volition never be found every bit loot from Spriggans. Instead, players must buy (or steal) this ingredient from alchemy shops.
    • If the player purchases a dwelling and furnishes it with an alchemy lab, the lab will come equipped with certain ingredients, normally including Spriggan Sap.
    • A few tin be found throughout the College of Winterhold, in the Hall of Countenance and the Curvation-Mage'south quarters. Unlike those in purchasable homes, these samples respawn every few in-game days.

Combining Effects

Potion using Giant's Toe, Glowing Mushroom, and Blisterwort

Though valuable on its ain, the price of a Fortify Smithing potion increases greatly when the recipe incorporates other effects. Players can grind these out to increase their alchemy skill, and sell them off to brand a healthy profit. Additionally, keep in heed effects that work well with Fortify Smithing. The Dragonborn can utilize the following recipes to create potions that come up in useful in a variety of scenarios.

  • Mixing Blisterwort and Glowing Mushroom alone produces just the Fortify Smithing outcome; however, calculation a Giant'south Toe to that mixture brings out the Damage Stamina and Fortify Health effects in those ingredients. This creates a much more valuable potion that players tin can sell for a turn a profit — and also raises the Alchemy skill by a swell deal more.
  • Combining Blisterwort and Sabre True cat Tooth with a Sabre Cat Eyeball creates a potion of Fortify Smithing, Restore Health, and Restore Stamina, perfect for improving armor after a tough fight. Sabre Cat eyeballs are found in the aforementioned locations as Sabre Cat Teeth — that is to say, on Sabre Cat carcasses.
  • Spriggan Sap bears the Fortify Enchanting result; thus, combining Spriggan Sap with any of the above ingredients, along with a Fortify Enchanting ingredient such equally Snowberries, creates a perfect potion for any Skyrim crafting session. Expect for Snowberries growing around Dawnstar and Winterhold.
    • Past using Glowing Mushroom as the 2nd Fortify Smithing ingredient in this recipe, the role player tin can create a potion of Fortify Smithing, Fortify Enchanting, and Resist Stupor.
  • Blisterwort boasts Frenzy, one of the more valuable of Skyrim'south alchemical effects. Combining Blisterwort, Glowing Mushroom, and a Boar Tusk creates a potion of Frenzy, Fortify Smithing, and Fortify Health — not the most applied mixture, but adequately valuable for players trying to earn some gold. Those interested in making it can discover Boar Tusks by hunting wild boars on the island of Solstheim.

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About The Author

Demaris Oxman (198 Articles Published)

Demaris is a reader, author, and gamer from Juneau, Alaska. While studying linguistics at McGill University, she wrote for educatee publications covering music, theater, movie, and various popular civilisation. She at present puts her love of games to skilful use as a writer and editor for Game Rant. Always a fantasy nerd, Demaris has a item dear for games in that genre, and spends her free fourth dimension writing epic and grimdark fantasy.

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