Smithing Guide By Excessivedamage

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Introduction
Recently my linkshell put forward an idea that we should try to have members that cover all of the crafts in FFXI. As I had already started to level the three Bastokian Guilds I decided (being a WAR) to focus primarily on Smithing as my craft of choice. No craft is cheap to level, but there are numerous methods and ideas that I'll put forward that shall hopefully ease the burden on your pocket, and perhaps even generate a little Gil!

I am currently a level 50 Blacksmith and shall be focusing on the levels through to 50 that I have accomplished thus far. As I progress within the craft I shall update this guide. My experiences are based on the economy of the Phoenix Server, so it you may need to reference this guide against the economy of your particular server.

To summarise, I am now hooked on Smithing and crafting in general is very addictive, fun and very frustrating! However, with a little (well, a lot) of patience and the hints and help from this (and all the other guides) plus the Crafting Skill Ups instructions you will be well on the way to becoming a Master Craftsman before you know it!
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Before You Begin
Familiarise yourself with the information under the four sub-headings below - it makes life easier.

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The Guilds
The two main Guilds are at Bastok Metalworks at (E-7) and at Northern San d'Oria at (E-5/6). There is also a Guild Shop at Mhaura at (G-9) as well as a shop at Al Zahbi at (H-9). You can also get free and advanced Synthesis Support from the Guild Shop in Al Zhabi - the advanced support will cost you one Bronze Imperial Piece.

Another vendor of note is Tsutsuroon in Nashmau that I shall mention later in this guide.


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Mining
Learn to love it, seriously. Invest in a set of Field Gear Set (or the HQ version Worker Gear Set) as you will be spending at lot of time underground. Diligent mining for Ores can save you an absolute fortune when skilling up Smithing.

Zeruhn Mines, Palborough Mines and Gusgen Mines you should learn to know intimately.

When mining I tried to take as much advantage over the situation as I can, for instance I have levelled new jobs 1 through to 7 while mining in Zeruhn. This has several advantages:


 * You collect Ores
 * You collect Beastman Seals
 * You gain experience (and therefore conquest points)


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Farming
There is really not a lot of materials required for Smithing that you can farm. Ores drop from all worm type mobs, but it is not really a viable option considering four ores are required per ingot.

However, for the synths that I use in this guide you do need two leathercraft items, the first is Lizard Skin which drops from lizard type mobs and the other is Sheep Leather which is an extremely easy low cap leathercraft synth.

Of course, these can be bought at the Auction House or alternatively the Tanners Guild in Northern San d'Oria (although they are not guaranteed stock).


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Other Crafts / Subcrafts
Unfortunately Smithing does rely on a number of other crafts, specifically Woodworking, Goldsmithing and Leathercraft for a lot of the synths. For this guide (levels 1-50) I would strongly recommend that you get each of these crafts to 10. Following this guide you shall be able to level your Goldsmithing skills hand-in-hand and to an adequate skill level to compliment your Smithing.
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Use The Resources Available
Do not blindly follow this guide, look around your server. I have always tried cut economise while skilling up and (I hope) I have found a lot of short cuts, but who is to say I found them all!!

Remember to check the prices at Guild Shops if you are in a pinch, the prices of items at these shops are dictated by the previous days demand for said item - remember that. Therefore, the best day to purchase anything from the Guild is the day after the Guild holiday!
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Levels 1 - 10: Getting Bronzed


Tricks of the trade
 * Mine Zeruhn for Tin Ore
 * Copper Ore can be mined also, but it will make more sense to mine as much Tin as possible, Copper Ore can be bought from the Guild Shop for as little as 9 Gil each.
 * Keep any Zinc Ore and Darksteel Ore that you mine, also. The Zinc can be used for the Brass Ingot recipie (Goldsmithing), or Tenshodo Fame (see the quest Shady Business).  Darksteel Ore can be kept for later on (level 50+ recipies) or sold at AH for approximately 10K each.



Keep the Sheets, as you will be using them in a later recepie.



You can buy the Femurs from the AH for about 2k, it may be an idead to check the Bonecrafters Guild Shop prices also. Personally, I farmed them from Bull Dhalmel at Buburimu Peninsula This is also your Guild Test item that raises your Cap level to 20.



Use the Bronze Sheets that you had saved from the earlier recipie for this easy synth and sell what you make either to NPC or at AH (very slow seller on AH).