Is 200 in Smithing Good Enough? END Min/Max

[Owen Wulfson]

So I made a character and was prepping him for a fresh start in a few months, maybe spend time on another game. My plan was to set him up as an expert Blacksmith so he could make my character's own sword, spear and javelins. I'd even picked my preferred weapon types to get the most out of being a Blacksmith.

Unfortunately, I didn't do the math and started my character off with a 3 in Endurance. It was only when I got my Endurance to 5 that I realized that, combined with a max input of Focus Points, I would only have a max attainable limit of 190 (40+150) before I hit the learning limit. I can boost my Endurance at level 12 to 6 and increase the learning limit to 200 (190+10), and thus get access to the Perk "Masterwork" with no problem (well, after a lot of grind). But after that point, I would need to invest every attribute point until level 36 (32?) (even counting that free +1 to END perk in the smith skill) just to have a shot at Legendary weapons without hitting the end-game Learning Limit.

So, what I had failed to realize when I started walking this path was that to have any chance at being a Legendary Smith in a regular game, I would need to start off with an Endurance of at least 7 and then increase my Endurance with every attribute point until level 20 (or 16 if I start with an 8 instead). While starting with 7-8 Endurance is easily done, it would create a very lopsided character. My initial Focus Points would be haphazard at best (2 points in Scout and Medic) and I would be pretty diminished in all other sectors (fighting, trade, steward). Although to be fair, I would only need the attainable 150 from Focus Points to get the most out of most trees.

But I've already set up 2 caravans and bought a shop on my prepped char. That was a lot of arena fights!

Therefore, I was thinking that I could settle for Masterwork Weapons and call it a day (not have to restart my character). Are Legendary Weapons worth the trouble?

 

[Bramborough]

I have not progressed high enough for Legendary. I think last playthrough might've gotten to Masterwork at the very end, don't really remember. So can't authoritatively state from first-hand experience.

That said, everything I've ever read in these forums about Smithing or the leveling/perk system has consistently indicated that the Fine/Master/Legend smithing perks are among the many which do not function at all. I can state from experience that this is true of the Fine perk; I've never noticed any visible effect (I do get an occasional green +1 or +2 modifier to a stat, but I have sometimes gotten those without the perk too, so I think it's unrelated). Logic would suggest same is the case with Master/Legendary.

It's not just a question of fixing those perks...the whole situation (for every skill, not just Smithing) might look completely different after the "perk system rework" reportedly in progress.

Don't know everything about your character, playthrough situation, style, goals, etc, but just from what you've shared above, I don't think I would re-roll over this.

 

[Owen Wulfson]

Don't know everything about your character, playthrough situation, style, goals, etc, but just from what you've shared above, I don't think I would re-roll over this.

That is some comfort, and I thank you for it. I'm looking forward to spending some time away from Bannerlord as I just heard that My Time at Portia got updates, and of course I should probably focus on actual work. But before that I was hoping to leave an established char in place for when I got back so I didn't need to muck about too much in the beginning, hence my concern over a restart.

I would be curious as to what would happen to all my skills when my character does finally die. If I can't pass on my smithing abilities, then I really only have 1 shot to get the best weapons I can on my first character. But I do hope they make things somewhat easier so it's not so min/max oriented.

 

[Tobi7043]

So I made a character and was prepping him for a fresh start in a few months, maybe spend time on another game. My plan was to set him up as an expert Blacksmith so he could make my character's own sword, spear and javelins. I'd even picked my preferred weapon types to get the most out of being a Blacksmith.

Unfortunately, I didn't do the math and started my character off with a 3 in Endurance. It was only when I got my Endurance to 5 that I realized that, combined with a max input of Focus Points, I would only have a max attainable limit of 190 (40+150) before I hit the learning limit. I can boost my Endurance at level 12 to 6 and increase the learning limit to 200 (190+10), and thus get access to the Perk "Masterwork" with no problem (well, after a lot of grind). But after that point, I would need to invest every attribute point until level 36 (32?) (even counting that free +1 to END perk in the smith skill) just to have a shot at Legendary weapons without hitting the end-game Learning Limit.

So, what I had failed to realize when I started walking this path was that to have any chance at being a Legendary Smith in a regular game, I would need to start off with an Endurance of at least 7 and then increase my Endurance with every attribute point until level 20 (or 16 if I start with an 8 instead). While starting with 7-8 Endurance is easily done, it would create a very lopsided character. My initial Focus Points would be haphazard at best (2 points in Scout and Medic) and I would be pretty diminished in all other sectors (fighting, trade, steward). Although to be fair, I would only need the attainable 150 from Focus Points to get the most out of most trees.

But I've already set up 2 caravans and bought a shop on my prepped char. That was a lot of arena fights!

Therefore, I was thinking that I could settle for Masterwork Weapons and call it a day (not have to restart my character). Are Legendary Weapons worth the trouble?

You can reach 175 with 7 endurance, the soft cap goes way beyond what you described

 

[Carabus]

Hard cap with 5 focus points is:
190 + 14 * attribute

With 6 endurance your hard cap would be: 190 + 84 = 274
So you actually need 7 attribute to reach the top perk.

 

[Owen Wulfson]

Hard cap with 5 focus points is:
190 + 14 * attribute

With 6 endurance your hard cap would be: 190 + 84 = 274
So you actually need 7 attribute to reach the top perk.

Oh, well that's actually doable. Still, I'll probably pick up the game on this char months later. What will things look like then?

But thankfully, even as things stand, I would only have to spend an additional 2 attribute pints (so lvl 12 & 16) to be open up legendary smithing.... assuming I can get my skill that high before my character dies of old age. I was only going to be neutral long enough to get certain skills up, gain rep and build a solid troop core before pledging myself to a faction (likely Southern Empire). so I would probably need to put off leveling smithing fully until I was more established. Not a bad idea since I'll get a stash and plenty of weapons to smelt after battle.

 

[Bob Gnarly]

I have not progressed high enough for Legendary. I think last playthrough might've gotten to Masterwork at the very end, don't really remember. So can't authoritatively state from first-hand experience.

That said, everything I've ever read in these forums about Smithing or the leveling/perk system has consistently indicated that the Fine/Master/Legend smithing perks are among the many which do not function at all. I can state from experience that this is true of the Fine perk; I've never noticed any visible effect (I do get an occasional green +1 or +2 modifier to a stat, but I have sometimes gotten those without the perk too, so I think it's unrelated). Logic would suggest same is the case with Master/Legendary.

It's not just a question of fixing those perks...the whole situation (for every skill, not just Smithing) might look completely different after the "perk system rework" reportedly in progress.

Don't know everything about your character, playthrough situation, style, goals, etc, but just from what you've shared above, I don't think I would re-roll over this.

The Community Patch mod I think fixed these perks, at least I was able to craft masterwork & legendary weapons. Although I noticed in a recent patch that the legendary perk has been replaced with a siege equipment boost perk. However with my smithing skill maxed at 302 and even without that perk, I'm still creating legendary weapons 100% of the time.

 

[TomaSkTemplar]

smithing is the easiest thing to level up. Doing so you will gimp your leveling everywhere else. So, my advice, use some broken character, give gim 7 endurance and 5 focus, make most damaging weapons with least costs. The best thing to do : search a companion, (1.3 so far) who will appear as someone else, it seems bugged. However, when you take such a char, very likely you get somebody with lots of free assignable points. Make him your primary blacksmith so you can skill later on for example leadership, if you initially did athletics, because it is impossible later on. (I usually start my char with 50 athletics - 5 focus, spear thrust gives most to athletics level up) with good athletics youre good in melee, weapon skills arent as important, will come more easily. My current char has 0 smith focus and 47 hard capped, since I made harpoons.

harpoon for throwing regardless of your skills is the most expensive piece for 1 iron, hardwood, charcoal. Sold at capped 58k. Make the blade biggest, mahogany wood gives best damage. Increase length. At first a badly madew harpoon will give you 30 skills per piece made. There are later on more expensive ways to level up, but youll see.

Polearms have 1-2 H stats and 1h stats destroy polearms sale value. Maces are similar. Long 2 handed weapons regardless of difficulty give most gold. Same for gifting to lords. Later on youll leave blacksmithing be, youll be swimming in gold from your secondary parties after you win in battles. My advice is , do not gimp your character with blacksmithing,avoid giving focus there, as with current system, hardcap is a good thing.

 

[fragonard]

Not always true, polarms with warrazor blades and 1-2H stats are the best polearms both in damage and in value.