M&B Bannerlord: Early Game Smithing Guide to 10 Million Denar
【Please Note】Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord does not use a seasonal system. This article is based on information from the latest stable version v1.2.x branch and beta version v1.3.x branch (as of May 2026). Significant balance adjustments related to smithing have been made in the past, including changes such as no longer being able to melt down "Tribesmen Throwing Knives" to obtain Fine Steel. We provide information optimized for the current environment.
The wealth of Calradia lies not on the battlefield, but in the forge. In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, even after numerous balance adjustments, smithing still boasts profitability that overwhelmingly surpasses other money-making methods. Starting with a small amount of initial funds, it is not a dream to ultimately accumulate a vast fortune of 10 million Denar. This article thoroughly explains all steps of smithing for wealth, starting from scratch, based on concrete steps and data. With this roadmap in hand, aim to become one of Calradia's foremost magnates!
Early Game Iron Rule: Those who master fuel and materials master Calradia
The first step in smithing for wealth is the unassuming yet most crucial task of "securing materials and fuel." Without "Hardwood" and the "Charcoal" produced from it, nothing can begin. In the early game, follow these steps to efficiently build your smithing foundation:
- Collect Hardwood in Battanian Cultural Areas
First, head to the Battanian territories located in the southwest of the world map. In the villages of this region, hardwood, the lifeline of smithing, is sold very cheaply, typically for 10-20 Denar each. Buy it all up with your meager early-game funds to establish your inventory base. - Melt Down "Wooden Hammers" and "Pitchforks" from Cities
"Wooden Hammers" and "Pitchforks" found in city trade screens are often overlooked treasures. Each one you melt down transforms into 3 hardwoods. This method is more time-efficient than touring villages, and it's recommended to switch to it once you have more funds. - Aim for Smithing Skill Level 25 and Acquire "Efficient Charcoal Maker"
Convert the collected hardwood into charcoal in the forge's "Refine" menu to increase your smithing skill level. Once your skill level reaches 25, immediately acquire the "Efficient Charcoal Maker" perk from the Endurance tree. This allows you to produce 3 charcoals from 2 hardwoods, dramatically improving fuel efficiency by 1.5 times. - Melt Down Loot to Secure Metal Materials and Blueprints
Do not sell inexpensive weapons obtained in combat (especially daggers and broken axes); melt them all down. This not only secures early metal materials such as "Crude Iron" and "Wrought Iron" but also unlocks new weapon part blueprints. - Prioritize Acquiring the "Curious Smelter" Perk
The "Curious Smelter" perk, obtainable when your smithing skill level reaches 75, is a super important perk central to this money-making strategy. It doubles the blueprint unlock rate when melting, dramatically accelerating the unlocking of high-Tier parts. Aim to acquire this above all else.
Mid-Game Leap: Mass Production of High-Value Weapons and Asset Expansion
Once you've acquired important perks and gathered a sufficient number of parts, it's time to transition to the full-fledged money-making phase. The goal is to relentlessly craft "high-value weapons" to generate immense profits.
Smash the Max Price! Top 3 High-Profit Weapons
In the current v1.2.x environment, the following three weapon types are particularly likely to fetch high prices. For all of them, maximizing the "Swing Damage" value using Tier 4 or Tier 5 parts is key to high-value sales.
- Two-Handed Swords: A classic in smithing. By combining high-Tier blades, handles, and guards, you can sell each sword for an exceptional price of 12,000-25,000 Denar. The path to unlocking blueprints is long due to the numerous parts, but the payoff is immense.
- Javelins (Throwing Spears): Composed of only two parts – blade and shaft – making blueprint completion relatively easy, which is its greatest appeal. Those made with high-Tier materials like Fine Steel can exceed 23,000 Denar, making them exceptionally good earners from the early to mid-game.
- Two-Handed Polearms: Especially those using "Glaive" type blades offer excellent cost-performance, with very high selling prices relative to material costs. These also have the potential to sell for over 22,000 Denar.
Stable Supply Routes for High-Tier Materials
Previously, melting down "Tribesmen Throwing Knives" sold in Aserai cultural cities was an easy way to obtain Fine Steel, but this method is no longer available due to a patch. Currently, the following two methods are predominant for a stable supply of high-Tier materials:
- Melting Down High-Tier Weapons: Melt down high-Tier loot obtained from battles against powerful bandit groups or lords' armies. While it involves an element of luck, if you have the "Curious Smelter" perk, you can also aim to unlock blueprints simultaneously.
- Refining with "Steel Maker" Perks: By increasing your smithing skill level and acquiring the "Steel Maker" line of perks, you can refine Steel and Fine Steel yourself from low-Tier materials like Crude Iron and Wrought Iron. This is the most stable and efficient supply method.
The Road to 10 Million Denar: Economic Management and Optimization
The enormous funds gained from smithing can be used for further asset expansion and strengthening your faction's foundation. Don't just sell weapons; adopt a perspective of influencing Calradia's overall economy.
Summary of Efficient Main Material Acquisition Methods
A stable supply of materials is essential to continue smithing for wealth. Refer to the table below for optimal acquisition methods depending on your situation.
| Material | Acquisition Method 1 (Early Game) | Acquisition Method 2 (When Funds are Abundant) | Cost Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood | Purchase from Battanian villages (10-20 Denar) | Buy and melt down Wooden Hammers/Pitchforks in bulk from cities | If you have funds, melting is overwhelmingly more time-efficient |
| Crude Iron/Wrought Iron | Melt down loot (daggers, etc.) | Create from higher-Tier materials using refining perks | Melting is the only option in the early game. Delegating to a companion is also an option |
| Fine Steel | Melt down high-Tier weapons (high luck factor) | Systematically refine using "Steel Maker" perks | Self-sufficiency after skill development is key to stable supply |
Investment Priorities for Funds Gained from Smithing
Investing the Denar you earn in the following order will strengthen your faction and generate further profits:
- Hire and Train Companions: Hire companions with smithing skills as "smiths" to take over stamina costs. By delegating melting, refining, and crafting, the player can focus on crafting high-value weapons, maximizing efficiency.
- Purchase Workshops: Workshops, available for purchase in each city, are a stable source of passive income. Especially "Wood Workshops" in cities that produce hardwood (like Battania) or "Smithies" in cities near villages that produce iron ore have synergy with your smithing activities.
- Form Caravans: Appointing a companion with high trade skills as a caravan leader is also effective. While not as much as smithing, a steady increase in income can be expected.
- Strengthen Troops and Maintenance Costs: With ample funds from smithing, it becomes easy to maintain a powerful party (use 'warband' or 'party' contextually) composed of high-clan Tier soldiers. This leads to a virtuous cycle where you gain an advantage in combat and obtain higher quality loot (which means more materials for melting).
As a note of caution, city treasuries have a limit (usually around 20,000-100,000 Denar), so selling large quantities of high-value weapons at once will result in a loss. It is necessary to implement strategies such as circulating among multiple cities, waiting for city treasuries to replenish, or directly speaking to lords for sales and bartering.
Conclusion
Smithing for wealth in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a powerful method that allows anyone to amass immense fortune by following the correct steps. In the early game, focus diligently on gathering materials and increasing skills, prioritizing the acquisition of "Efficient Charcoal Maker" and "Curious Smelter" perks. In the mid-game and beyond, establish a mass-production system for high-value two-handed swords and javelins to snowball your assets. By reinvesting your earned funds into companions, workshops, and your party (use 'warband' or 'party' contextually), your clan will grow into a powerful force renowned throughout all of Calradia. Now, take up your hammer and forge your own legend!
