Overview
The Blacksmith is a Disciple of the Hand crafting discipline dedicated to the art of forging heated metal into durable and deadly implements. As masters of the forge, anvil, and hammer, blacksmiths are the backbone of Eorzea's martial and industrial supply, producing the majority of metal weapons, from simple daggers to greatswords, as well as essential tools and components for other crafts. The Blacksmiths' Guild is headquartered in the maritime city-state of Limsa Lominsa, a hub of industry and trade where the demand for sturdy metalwork—for both ships and soldiers—is ceaseless. This craft represents a fundamental pillar of Eorzea's economy, transforming raw ore into the instruments of defense, labor, and, inevitably, war.
History and Lore
The Limsan Forge
The Blacksmiths' Guild of Limsa Lominsa draws its strength from the city's unique industrial heritage. As a thalassocracy built upon a foundation of shipbuilding and naval supremacy, Limsa has always required a robust metalworking tradition. The guild's forges produce everything from the nails and anchors that hold the city's famed ships together to the cutlasses and boarding axes wielded by its Maelstrom soldiers. The constant salt air and demanding maritime applications have honed Limsan blacksmithing techniques to prioritize resilience and functionality, creating a style known for its straightforward, unadorned, yet exceptionally reliable products.
Under the leadership of Guildmaster Brithael, a man whose passion for the craft is as fiery as his forges, the guild upholds these traditions while also pushing the boundaries of metallurgy. Brithael teaches that a blacksmith's worth is measured not just by the strength of their arm, but by the strength of their character and understanding of the materials they shape.
The Art and Ethos of the Forge
Blacksmithing is a discipline of heat, force, and precision. Practitioners must possess a deep understanding of metallurgy, knowing how different ores behave under the hammer and how alloys can be created to achieve specific properties of hardness, flexibility, and edge retention. The process involves heating raw metal ingots to a malleable state in the forge, then skillfully hammering them on the anvil to draw out the desired shape—a technique known as "drawing." This is followed by careful tempering and quenching to set the metal's final structure.
The job's questline delves deeply into the philosophical and moral dimensions of the craft. While blacksmiths create tools for countless peaceful trades, they are also the primary producers of weapons. The narrative explores the dual nature of this responsibility: the pride in forging a blade that will protect a nation, weighed against the knowledge that it may also be used to take life. Brithael and his guild emphasize the "smith's duty"—the idea that the care and intent poured into a weapon can, in some small way, influence its wielder and its purpose. A true master blacksmith forges not just metal, but a legacy of protection and honor.
Interdependence with Other Disciplines
The blacksmith's craft is intrinsically linked to that of the Miner. Without a steady supply of iron, steel, mythril, and more exotic ores, the forges would fall silent. This creates a fundamental economic and logistical relationship, with blacksmiths being among the Miners' most vital clients. Furthermore, blacksmiths produce crucial metal components—rivets, plates, gears, and blades—that are required by nearly every other crafting discipline, from Armorers and Carpenters to Goldsmiths and Engineers. This makes blacksmithing one of the most versatile and interconnected crafting jobs, essential to the entire ecosystem of Eorzean production.
Gameplay
Becoming a Blacksmith
Any Disciple of War or Magic who has reached level 10 can become a Blacksmith. The journey begins in Limsa Lominsa by speaking with the Blacksmiths' Guild recruiters and undertaking the quest "Way of the Blacksmith." Upon completion, the player receives their first hammer and is inducted into the guild.
Crafting Role and Progression
As a Blacksmith, players will primarily craft:
- Main-hand Weapons: For Disciples of War such as Gladiators/Paladins, Marauders/Warriors, Dragoons, and Samurai.
- Secondary Tools: For various Disciples of the Hand and Land.
- Metal Components: Used as ingredients in countless recipes across all crafting jobs.
- Furnishings: Decorative metal items for player housing.
Progression involves completing guildleves, crafting log entries, and the job's dedicated questline, which provides gear, recipes, and expands on the guild's lore. Blacksmiths, like all crafters, must manage a complex rotation of abilities to efficiently execute synthesis, increase quality, and complete high-difficulty recipes.
Key Abilities and Techniques
Blacksmiths share the core crafting actions with all Disciples of the Hand. Thematically, their unique class actions reflect the process of working metal:
- Basic Synthesis/Advanced Synthesis: Representing the foundational act of hammering and shaping the metal.
- Basic Touch/Standard Touch: The careful finishing work that refines the product's quality.
- Master's Mend: The process of reheating and working a piece that has cooled too much, restoring its malleability.
- Byregot's Blessing: A high-level ability named for Byregot, the Builder, the god of architecture and industry, representing a divinely inspired moment of perfect craftsmanship.
Endgame and Specialization
At higher levels, blacksmiths can tackle master recipes to create the most powerful weapons and rare furnishings. They can also participate in the creation of Relic Weapons and other legendary arms, often requiring materials from across Eorzea and demanding the pinnacle of crafting skill. The specialist system allows for further refinement, granting bonuses when crafting specific types of items.
Trivia
- The Blacksmiths' Guild in Limsa Lominsa features a large, central forge that is perpetually lit, symbolizing the unending nature of the craft.
- Many iconic relic and artifact weapons throughout Final Fantasy XIV's story, such as the Curtana and the Aettir, are the products of legendary blacksmithing techniques lost and rediscovered. This is a community observation and has not been officially confirmed by Square Enix.
- The job's focus on the morality of weapon-making echoes themes found in the questlines for Disciples of War like the Dark Knight, creating a narrative link between the creator and the user of arms.
- In seasonal events, blacksmiths are often depicted as the creators of special celebratory items, like fireworks launchers or decorative blades.
Related Articles
- Miner
- Armorer
- Limsa Lominsa
- Brithael
- Disciples of the Hand
