answer to this Smithing question- 5th Skyrim SSE playthru and I realized I don't know it?

[ericjmz]

8/17

 

So I just realized,after years of playing, I don't know this Smithing answer...

 

Lets say one is at a lower level (5...10...whatever)

and one's smithing skills are ALSO at a lower level (20...30...whatever)

 

but then one just finds/picks up in the world an armor or weapon ABOVE one's smithing perk level

 

Lets use the example Ebony...I know one doesn't find Ebony yet,but its just an example (could have used glass, orcish, etc...

 

Now for my Smithing question

 

Can one IMPROVE the item picked up (assuming they have the requisite minerals)?

 

I KNOW you can't Smith the weapon or armor yet...but if you just find a piece can it then be improved?

 

thanks

 

ericjmz

[IsharaMeradin]

An item cannot be tempered unless you have the perk that allows crafting with that material type. For an item made out of Ebony to be tempered one would need to wait until their Smithing skill is at least 80 and the associated perk has been selected.

[ericjmz]

thank you

I thought as much

Makes one wonder why there are all these videos online as to "how to"...get Daedric armor at early level, and other high level items

It seems completely USELESS to do that, as one can smith the items one DOES have the smiting level power for, HIGHER than items one does NOT have the smithing level power for

 

Seems folks should just stick-to-their-level when playing (unless I'm missing something?)

 

thank you

[MFitz56]

thank you

I thought as much

Makes one wonder why there are all these videos online as to "how to"...get Daedric armor at early level, and other high level items

It seems completely USELESS to do that, as one can smith the items one DOES have the smiting level power for, HIGHER than items one does NOT have the smithing level power for

 

Seems folks should just stick-to-their-level when playing (unless I'm missing something?)

 

thank you

I hate to sound contrarian but I think that is not correct. I believe that the relevant smithing perk allows you to CRAFT such an item but is not necessary to temper it. Having a higher perk allows you to temper it MORE but does not restrict it.

 

This is my understanding from the little "notes" the game itself gives while loading a new area. It can also be found (with an example) on the UESP Skyrim site under Smithing found here:

 

https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Smithing

[IsharaMeradin]

Perhaps the UESP is not clear in its explanation or it was too early in the morning for me to be thinking / posting.

 

I read the following sentence and thought it meant that the perk would be needed.

 

The Smithing level required to unlock these qualities depends upon whether the character has the Smithing perk of the item's material.

 

Maybe it is not required. Try it out in game and find out?

[ericjmz]

Not a 'contrarian' if you're correct; and I hope you are correct, as it will be a thrill to find & improve a high-level item before I obtain the perk for smithing

 

One question...2 exact opposite answers; that's Okay :-)

 

Actually, I will (soon become) the exact person to answer the question I myself asked, as I'm on a replay now at level 2 (an angry skeever can kill me at this week stage!)

so surely I will run across this in the next week or so

 

I promise to answer definitively when I do; this is B&W,not grey; it either is-or-it-ain't!

[ericjmz]

8/20 eve

 

As promised, question now answered; I thank both MFitz56 & IsharaMeradin for taking the time to reply

 

YES Virgina, there IS a Santa Claus!

Yes, one CAN SMITH an ALREADY OBTAINED weapon one does NOT yet have the smithing perk for...you just can't make it at a forge

 

Specifically:

Level 14

Smithing level 24

Steel Smithing perk only

 

on my 'obtained-in-the-wild Orcish sword & Dwarven Mace, YES I did smith them both to higher powers

 

thank you again

 

ericjmz