Who is the best blacksmith in Skyrim?

The best blacksmith in Skyrim is Eorlund Gray-Mane, a master blacksmith who can be found working at the Skyforge next to Jorrvaskr in Whiterun, and is widely regarded as one of the best smiths in all of Skyrim. He is a Master level trainer for those who are members of the Companions, and can provide players with high-quality weapons and armor, as well as training to improve their Smithing skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Eorlund Gray-Mane and Blacksmithing in Skyrim

1. What is Eorlund Gray-Mane’s role in Skyrim?: Eorlund Gray-Mane is a master blacksmith in Whiterun, working at the Skyforge and providing high-quality weapons and armor to players.
2. Why is Eorlund Gray-Mane essential?: Eorlund and the Companions are essential until the end of the Companions questline, at which point they lose their essential status and can die.
3. Can Eorlund Gray-Mane be a follower?: Though Eorlund works closely with the Companions, he does not consider himself one of them, and can only offer training after completing the Take Up Arms quest.
4. What is the Skyforge in Skyrim?: The Skyforge is an ancient forge said to be older than men, located next to Jorrvaskr in Whiterun, and is mainly used by Eorlund Gray-Mane.
5. Where are all the blacksmiths in Skyrim?: The hold capitals with Blacksmiths are Riften, Whiterun, Falkreath, Solitude, Windhelm, Dawnstar, and Markarth, with additional Blacksmiths found in Shor’s Stone and Riverwood.

About Smithing and Leveling Up

6. What gives the most Smithing XP?: Making Dwarven bows and armor are the best for experience, unless you can craft Glass bows, which are better but require harder-to-find materials.
7. How many Dwarven bows to get to level 100 Smithing?: With Fortify Smithing enchantments, you can get to level 100 Smithing with around 100 Dwarven bows and 100 additional Dwarven ingots.
8. Can you only train 5 times in Skyrim?: Note that you may only have a trainer train you a total of 5 times before you have to level up again, making it important to choose your training wisely.
9. What is the fastest way to max Smithing in Skyrim?: The fastest way to level up your Smithing attribute is by crafting Gold rings, as Smithing leveling now scales with item worth rather than item quantity.

About Other Blacksmiths and Characters

10. Who is the second-best blacksmith in Skyrim?: Balimund in Riften is an Expert level blacksmith, and Gunmar in Fort Dawnguard is a Master level Smithing trainer.
11. Can you marry Olfina Gray-Mane?: Olfina Gray-Mane can be married and asked to accompany you into battle, and is a 1H warrior class character who is brave and aggressive.
12. Is there an Umbra in Skyrim?: Umbra is a Daedric artifact with a unique history, and is one of the few weapons in Skyrim with more than two enchantments active at once.

About Gameplay and Mechanics

13. What is the rarest thing in Skyrim?: The Master Sword, Champion’s Tunic, and Hylian Shield Set are some of the rarest items in Skyrim, along with the Crown of Barenziah and Ysgramor’s Soup Spoon.
14. Who is the hardest enemy in Skyrim?: The Wispmother, Falmer Warmonger, and Hagraven are some of the most challenging enemies in Skyrim, due to their unique abilities and powerful attacks.
15. What to do if Lydia dies in Skyrim?: If Lydia dies, the only real option is to load a previous save to get her back, or use console commands to revive her if you are playing on PC.