Smithing is one of the most rewarding skills in Skyrim, unlocking powerful gear upgrades, advanced crafting options, and high-value items. In this guide, you’ll learn two efficient methods to quickly level your Smithing skill to 100—along with general tips to maximize your gains.

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Method 1: Gold Ring Duplication Trick

This method uses the Transmute Mineral Ore spell and Skyrim’s follower mechanics to generate large amounts of gold rings for fast Smithing XP.

Step 1: Acquire the Transmute Spell

• Location: Halted Stream Camp (north of Whiterun)
• How to Get It: Clear the bandit camp and loot the spell tome Transmute Mineral Ore from a table inside.
• Function: Converts iron ore → silver ore → gold ore.

Step 2: Gather Iron Ore

• Mine it from ore veins (Halted Stream Camp has several), or purchase it from blacksmiths across Skyrim.

Step 3: Transmute to Gold Ore

• Cast the Transmute Mineral Ore spell repeatedly to convert iron ore into gold ore.
• Note: You’ll need 2 gold ores to craft 1 gold ingot.

Step 4: Duplicate Gold Ingots

• Recruit a follower (e.g., Lydia, Uthgerd).
• Duplication Process:
  1. Drop gold ingots on the ground.
  2. Command your follower to pick them up using “I need you to do something.”
  3. Exit the area (e.g., leave Whiterun).
  4. Return to find the ingots both on the ground and in your follower’s inventory.
  5. Repeat as needed to stockpile ingots.

Step 5: Craft Gold Rings

• Each gold ingot creates 2 gold rings at a forge.
• Gold rings provide high Smithing XP and can be enchanted or sold for extra profit.

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Method 2: Skyforge Chest Glitch (Whiterun)

This glitch gives you access to a hidden chest near the Skyforge containing free smithing materials.

Step 1: Access the Glitch Zone

• Go to the white tree in Whiterun.
• Walk to the nearby house wall and use a careful alignment to glitch through the ground.
• Once under the map, walk toward the Skyforge to find a floating hidden chest.

Step 2: Loot the Skyforge Chest

• Contains valuable crafting supplies: ingots, ores, leather strips, and more.
• Take what you can carry.

Step 3: Reset the Chest

• To refresh the chest inventory:
  1. Speak to Eorlund Gray-Mane and view his shop inventory.
  2. Use the Unrelenting Force shout on him, quick-save, then reload.
  3. The chest will restock with new materials.
  4. Alternatively, wait 48 in-game hours for it to reset naturally.

Step 4: Craft High-Value Gear

• Use the materials to craft high-tier items:
  • Ebony, Daedric, or Dragonbone gear yields the most XP.
  • Start with higher-tier materials and work your way down to avoid wasting rare resources.

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General Smithing Tips

• Use the Warrior Stone
  • Located near Riverwood, it grants +20% Smithing XP gain.
• Sleep for the Well-Rested Bonus
  • Resting in a bed you own or an inn provides an additional +10% XP boost (or +15% if married).
• Craft High-Value Items
  • Focus on gear that uses rare materials—avoid spamming iron daggers.
• Enchant for Extra Profit
  • Enchant crafted gear (like gold rings) to increase their value and train Enchanting at the same time.
• Save Iron and Steel
  • Don’t waste common materials on weak items. Save them for mid-tier gear like Orcish or Dwarven.

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Final Thoughts

Smithing is one of the fastest and most profitable skills to level in Skyrim—especially with these efficient strategies. Whether you use duplication or exploit the Skyforge chest, you’ll be forging Dragonbone armor and Daedric weapons in no time.

Happy crafting, and may your blades stay sharp!

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