No adventurer is complete without their legendary weapon. Some players prefer to delve into a cave, fight a giant one-eyed monster, and loot the weapon off them. Others make their own. In fact, making your own in an RPG can be one of the most rewarding aspects of it. There are numerous games out there that allow players to craft swords and even enchant them, giving them a little bit of customization and personal swagger.
The main draw of an RPG is that it allows players to become anything they want, from a dashing hero to a magic-slinging rogue. Blacksmithing is one of the most popular hobbies for any aspiring hero as there's nothing quite as satisfying as using their very own merch to behead a dragon.
Updated October 22, 2022 by Ritwik Mitra: Role-playing games that really want to justify their presence in this genre make it a point to let player access a wide variety of actions that truly let them live out a virtual life as a completely new and original character who can accomplish anything they set their mind to. From being stealthy to using their smooth tongue to get out of most situations — the most lauded and appreciated video games around attain this reputation because of the immense freedom they afford players at every step of their epic journey.
Surprisingly enough, even an act as seemingly mundane as blacksmithing can turn into one of the most entertaining parts of the experience if players invest enough in this particular department. Players who either sport high blacksmithing skills or have access to a great blacksmith can procure some of the strongest weapons in the game that will absolutely decimate their opposition. Here are some of the best games that feature fleshed-out blacksmithing mechanics.
13 Gothic 2
The Gothic franchise houses some of the most underrated role-playing games of all time, with the second game considered to be a masterpiece by many. In many ways, it's a perfect sequel that builds upon the mechanics of the first game while taking care of any issues that detracted from the overall experience as well.
The end result is a brilliant game that is filled to the brim with character. Gothic 2 honestly feels like a life sim given how realistic some of its mechanics are, including the art of blacksmithing. That being said, smithing in this game is more suited for earning money by crafting low-level, since players will be pretty decked out as long as they explore the world and are diligent about looting everything they find.
12 Divinity: Original Sin 2
Larian Entertainment has become one of the most beloved modern CRPG developers of all time, and this is in no small part due to the massive success of Divinity: Original Sin and its successor. The latter is lauded as one of the greatest role-playing games of all time that did a great job of combining its world, characters, story, and gameplay into a seamless and exciting package.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a game that lasts for hundreds of hours, and yet fans will hate the idea of ending this masterpiece. Players can use the expanded crafting system of this game to create powerful weapons and fight efficiently against their foes. In fact, this is downright recommended since gear is extremely important to survive some of the game's most challenging encounters.
11 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the greatest RPGs ever made, catapulting CD Projekt Red to the realm of superstardom. The game is massive, loaded with content, and features one of the most beautiful open worlds seen in gaming.
The world of The Witcher 3 also has several blacksmiths that players can interact with to forge a whole host of weapons. Geralt needs to get some materials and a diagram to guide these blacksmiths in the right direction and craft powerful equipment, although some schematics can only be interpreted by blacksmiths that have a higher skill.
10 Skyrim
Skyrim is fast approaching its eleventh birthday and there's a reason why so many fans regard it as one of the greatest RPGs of all time. There's a seemingly endless amount of quests and jobs that have players coming back eleven years later.
Blacksmithing in Skyrim is incredibly useful as it's the fastest way to get top-tier equipment and removes the need to search through the wilderness for that last piece of ebony armor. It also serves as a great way to gain some quick levels if players want to progress quickly through this title.
9 Dragon Age Inquisition
Dragon Age Inquisition added some much-needed blacksmithing mechanics into the series. Technically, the player character doesn't actually forge anything and it's the quartermaster that's doing all the hard work.
Not only can the player forge weapons and armor for all the members of their party, but the materials they choose affect the stats and appearance of the gear. More often than not, players will find that making their own armor is far more powerful than anything they can buy from Orlais.
8 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
There are a lot of things players can't do when they start playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Henry starts out as just an average commoner so he can't do everyday things like reading and writing. He can, however, forge weapons.
Henry's father is the local blacksmith and throughout the game, Henry is hunting down his final masterpiece. Players can also choose whether to continue his legacy, pick up the forge hammer, and start making their own weapons.
7 Kingdoms Of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
The Fateless One can become anything they desire, so why not become a Blacksmith? Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning might just be one of the most underrated RPGs in history. There's a phenomenal level of polish with the world-building, characters, combat, and side quests.
Blacksmithing is one of the many skills players can invest in. The skill tree focuses on crafting master-class weapons/armor and salvaging more material. Players can scour the Faelands to find the four trainers that will help them level up their abilities and get them one step closer to forging the stuff of legend.
6 Fantasy Life
Fantasy Life is unique as it lets players combine their day job and their adventuring lifestyle. There's no need to choose between becoming a 5=star chef or a ruthless mercenary, players can have the best of both worlds.
The game also has a progression system that makes every job feel like the main quest line. If the player becomes a woodcutter, they can hunt for legendary trees. Fisherman? Search the ocean for a mysterious fish never before seen by man. Blacksmithing is no different.
5 Divinity Original Sin: Enhanced Edition
Divinity Original Sin 2 is hailed as one of the greatest RPGs of all time but its predecessor has a couple of features that should have made it to the sequel. Crafting in Divinity Original Sin is much more compelling.
Not only can players craft legendary weapons to help conquer their enemies but it also blends seamlessly into the other crafting mechanics. Players can smith weapons, enchant them, brew potions, and fling grenades. Nothing is more satisfying than a craftsman in combat.
4 Outward
Outward is one of the few single-player RPGs...that can be played with a friend. The characters aren't some legendary heroes, destined to destroy a forgotten god. They're random people, in a random village, with no distinct traits.
The player has to learn everything from magic to blacksmithing in the hopes of becoming a hero of legend. Team up with the local blacksmith to craft unique schematics and prepare for the dangers outside the village walls.
3 Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunter is known for its over-the-top weapons and armor. Players grind to get the best possible equipment and the latest installment in the series is no different. Monster Hunter Rise may add several new mechanics into the series but nothing changed when it comes to getting sweet sweet loot.
Nothing is more satisfying than slicing the tail off a boss-level enemy, taking it back to the town, and crafting that last piece of armor.
2 Fallout 4
When the bombs fell, the world of Fallout was flung back into the stone age. Players have to be smart to survive the wasteland. One of the perks players can upgrade is 'Blacksmithing' which allows them to build high-level weapon modifications.
Only blacksmiths can transform an average walking stick into a behemoth slaying blade. The 'Armourer' perk affects modifications on, wait for it, armor. By investing in both perks, players can become a post-apocalyptic blacksmith, crafting weapons and armor for the people of the Commonwealth.
1 My Time At Portia
My Time At Portia manages to find the perfect blend of RPG, life-sim, and adventure genres. The player can focus on whichever part of the game they find the most fun. They can socialize in town and find their perfect partner, stroll into caves with their sword at the ready, or become a blacksmith.
Blacksmithing is useful as it equips players with the weapons they'll need to make it through the caves. Sure, becoming a farmer can be fun, but forging and slaying is a lifestyle unlike any other.