Why Can’t I Improve My Armor in Skyrim?
The frustration of being unable to improve your armor at a workbench in Skyrim is a common one, often stemming from a few core reasons. Most often, it’s because your Smithing skill isn’t high enough, you lack the necessary perks, or you’re missing the required materials. Sometimes, the issue lies in a misunderstanding of how enchantments and tempering interact, or even a simple oversight like not having the right type of workbench for the armor you’re trying to upgrade. Identifying the exact cause is crucial to getting your defenses up to par and surviving the harsh landscapes of Skyrim. Let’s delve into each of these potential roadblocks in detail.
Understanding the Core Reasons
Insufficient Smithing Skill
The most prevalent reason you can’t improve your armor is simply because your Smithing skill isn’t high enough. Each type of armor (e.g., Iron, Steel, Elven, Glass, Ebony, Dragonplate) requires a certain Smithing skill level before it can be effectively tempered. If your skill is too low, the option to improve the armor won’t even appear at the workbench.
Missing Necessary Perks
Perks are special abilities you acquire as you level up your Smithing skill. These perks allow you to create and improve more advanced types of armor. For instance, to improve Elven armor beyond “Fine,” you’ll need the Elven Smithing perk. Similarly, Glass armor requires the Glass Smithing perk, and so on. Without the correct perk, even if your Smithing skill is high enough to initially create the armor, you won’t be able to improve it further.
Lack of Required Materials
Improving armor, like crafting it, requires specific materials. These materials vary depending on the type of armor. For example, improving Iron armor requires Iron Ingots, while improving Steel armor requires Steel Ingots. More advanced armor, like Dragonplate, will demand rarer and more valuable materials, such as Dragon Bones and Dragon Scales. If you don’t have enough of the required materials in your inventory, the option to improve the armor will be greyed out or simply not available.
Confusing Enchantments and Tempering
While enchantments and tempering both enhance your armor, they are distinct processes. Tempering, done at a workbench, improves the base armor rating. Enchanting, done at an enchanting table, adds magical effects. You can temper an item before or after enchanting it, but enchanting doesn’t automatically improve the base armor rating – you still need to temper it separately.
Incorrect Workbench Type
While most workbenches can handle a wide range of armor types, some are more specialized. For example, some Creation Club content or mods might introduce armors that require a specific workbench or crafting station. Ensure you’re using a standard workbench if you’re unsure.
Addressing Common Problems
- Skill Boosting: If your Smithing skill is too low, level it up! Crafting Iron Daggers is a classic, albeit slow, method. Alternatively, crafting jewelry or improving already valuable items provides more significant skill gains. You can also seek out trainers who can increase your skill for a fee.
- Perk Allocation: Carefully plan your Smithing perk allocation. Consider what types of armor you want to specialize in and choose the corresponding perks. Remember you can only allocate one perk point per level, so strategic planning can save you time and resources in the long run.
- Material Acquisition: Scour the world for the materials you need. Visit blacksmiths and general goods stores to purchase ingots, mine ore veins to smelt your own, and defeat creatures that drop valuable crafting components.
- Double-Check Everything: It sounds simple, but ensure you actually have the required items in your inventory. A common mistake is having the right materials but stored in a container somewhere else.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why does the option to improve my armor not even appear at the workbench?
This usually indicates that your Smithing skill is too low to even attempt improving that particular type of armor. Increase your Smithing skill through crafting or training.
2. I have the required materials, but the option to improve is greyed out. Why?
This likely means you’re missing the necessary perk. Check which perk is required for that specific type of armor and allocate a perk point accordingly. You may also need a higher Smithing skill level in order to improve it more efficiently.
3. How do I get more Smithing experience quickly?
Crafting valuable items or improving already valuable items provides more Smithing experience than crafting basic items like Iron Daggers. Jewelry crafting, in particular, is an efficient way to level up Smithing. Also, finding Ancient Knowledge in Arkngthamz grants a 25% bonus to smithing experience when crafting Dwarven items.
4. Can I improve unique or enchanted armor?
Yes, you can improve both unique and enchanted armor at a workbench, provided you meet the skill, perk, and material requirements. Enchantments don’t prevent you from tempering armor.
5. What’s the difference between “Fine,” “Superior,” “Exquisite,” and “Legendary” quality?
These are the different quality levels you can achieve when improving armor. Each level requires a higher Smithing skill and potentially specific perks and more materials. “Legendary” is the highest achievable quality, typically requiring a very high Smithing skill (often 100) and the relevant perks.
6. Does wearing Smithing-enhancing gear help me improve armor better?
Yes! Wearing apparel with Fortify Smithing enchantments (e.g., gloves, rings, amulets) boosts your Smithing skill temporarily, allowing you to improve armor to a higher quality than you normally could. You can also consume potions with similar effects.
7. I have a Smithing skill of 100 and all the perks, but I still can’t improve my armor to the highest level. Why?
Even with a Smithing skill of 100 and all relevant perks, reaching the absolute maximum improvement (often beyond “Legendary”) usually requires additional Fortify Smithing effects from apparel or potions.
8. Are there any quests that boost my Smithing skill permanently?
Yes, the quest “Unfathomable Depths” (initiated in Riftan) grants the Ancient Knowledge ability, which provides a 25% bonus to Smithing when crafting Dwarven armor.
9. Can I reset my Smithing perks if I made a mistake?
Yes, you can reset your Smithing perks by using a Dragon Soul and visiting a specific location in the Dragonborn DLC. However, this resets all your skills, not just Smithing.
10. Does the race of my character affect my ability to improve armor?
No, race does not directly affect your ability to improve armor. However, some races have a starting bonus to the Smithing skill, giving them a slight head start.
11. What is the best type of armor to focus on improving?
The “best” armor depends on your playstyle. Dragonplate and Daedric armor offer high protection, while Light Armor (e.g., Glass, Elven) allows for greater mobility. Choose armor that aligns with your character’s build.
12. Do I need to be a certain level to find better armor and materials?
Yes, the availability of advanced armor and crafting materials increases as you level up. Higher-level enemies are more likely to drop rare materials, and vendors will stock better gear as you progress.
13. Can I improve armor multiple times at the workbench?
No, you can only improve a piece of armor once at a time. Each attempt increases its quality level.
14. Is it possible to improve armor past “Legendary” without exploits?
Yes, with a Smithing skill of 100, all relevant perks, and the use of Fortify Smithing enchantments and potions, you can often improve armor beyond the standard “Legendary” designation, achieving even higher armor ratings.
15. Are there any mods that affect how armor improvement works?
Yes, many mods alter the Smithing system, often making it more complex or introducing new types of armor and materials. Consult the mod’s documentation for specific details on how it affects armor improvement.