In the harsh land ofSkyrim, having the right gear is important to any player’s survival. And often, the best way to ensure the Dragonborn’s gear is right for them is to make it themselves. Still, even mid-level smiths can have trouble boosting the power of their armor and weapons.
Luckily, Alchemy comes to the rescue. Potions are the easiest way to access a temporary, but significant, boost in this crafting skill. Though it might seem daunting at first, players can quickly master the basics to brew a potion of Fortify Smithing. Here’s how to craft these concoctions, to help the hero ofSkyrimbulk up their steel and ebony.
Updated Jun 28, 2025, by Demaris Oxman:Skyrim’s Anniversary Edition added a plethora of free content from the Creation Club, expanding players' experience of this fantasy world even more. Among the items added in these Creations were several new alchemical ingredients, including a few that players can use in Fortify Smithing potions. These potions can help players buff their Smithing skill to new heights,achieving untold numbersin both damage and armor. With the new resources available, this guide has been updated to include all Fortify Smithing ingredients added in the free Creation Club content in the Anniversary Edition.
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The Fortify Smithing Effect
As most players can guess, potions with the Fortify Smithing effect willincrease the amount by which they can improve armor and weaponsat a Workbench or Grindstone, respectively. The player’s skill in Alchemy will determine how muchthe player’s Smithing improvementsincrease.
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To make stronger potions, players must raise their Alchemy skill level. The best way to do this is simply by making as many potions as possible, or topurchase training sessionsfrom certain NPCs. Additionally, if players are looking for a peak Alchemist build, they may consider picking one of the races that receive bonuses to the skill:Bosmer, Breton, Khajiit, or Dunmer.
Fortify Smithing Ingredients
A rare effect inSkyrim, only four ingredients can be used to create Potions of Fortify Smithing. Fortunately, they’re not too hard to come by. These four items can be found in variouslocations throughout the world. The Dragonborn can also purchase them at reasonable prices from alchemical merchants — or steal them, if they are so inclined.
Combining Effects
Though valuable on its own, the price of a Fortify Smithing potionincreases greatly when the recipe incorporates other effects. Players can grind these out to increase their alchemy skill, and sell them off to make a healthy profit. Additionally, keep in mind effects that work well with Fortify Smithing. The Dragonborn can use the following recipes to create potions that come in useful in a variety of scenarios.
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