Current state of Blacksmithing - returning after 6 years

[shipwrek]

I just re-instated two of my old accounts, each with a GM smith on two different shards.

It looks like nobody sells smithed armor much anymore and I am not sure if the weapons I see are crafted or drops.

Do smiths make valuable items still? I see a lot of information about runic hammers and exotic ingredients for recipies (gems, "corruption", bones, etc..)

Are these current things to pursue or do people just go for high end drops from monsters?

Are there items smiths can make that are in high demand these days?

 

[5% Luck]

Well with the end of the sampire(necro sammuri) coming up n the next publish, The smith hangs in the balance. Yea smiths still make great weapons and tailors make most of our armor but which wepon types will be the next hot item im not sure. It was the dimond mace with mana and stm leech ssi20% and HDL or there aboutsbut right now Im focusing on slayers and pvp wepons.

GL to you and your smithery save your high end runic untill the publish!

 

[Basara]

And, read the sections of the FAQ dealing with the BOD changes since 6 years ago.

Over 5 years ago, they streamlined the BOD reward system a little, so it may be different from the one you remember
3 and a half years ago, they changed BODs to where, if you turn one in, you immediately can request a new one. This had led to a method of speeding up the acquiring of good BOD, called "BOD cycling" (see the FAQ, linked to in the FAQ sticky above)
In February 2008, they made smith skill a factor in getting colored BODs. Now, Elder 110 smiths get less iron armor BODs than 109.9 or lower skill (50% weapons, 35% colored armor, 15% iron armor, compared to 50/25/25), and 120 smiths get the drop ratios of 50/45/5.

 

[Boogieman]

Boy - you must feel like you landed on the moon logging back into UO. I know I did, when I restarted some months ago after 3 years of abscense.
When I started playing UO smiths were revered because you constantly lost your gear to PKs, looters and thieves. Gm quality weapons were decent compared to the best monsters dropped and armour was good too. I remember valorite armour was something you put on when sitting at the bank - a full set of valorite exceptional plate would cost you 45 k. In a world where visting dungeons were more likely to make you poorer than richer.
Anyways - I'm getting longwinded here... What I wanted to say is that smithy changed a lot. You need to read up on the BOD system and runic hammers.
Don't expect to be able to run a shop with GM crafted goods. To make stuff you can sell you need to get hold of some higher level runic hammers and some of those other ressources.
On a positive note many people enjoy the BOD lottery and the amount of various items you can craft these days is amazing. With the right armour and the right weapon your char can be fine tuned to fit your needs.

 

[Argnak]

You may want also to save some room for the new skills comming in the next expansion. Imbuing will be a must for crafters, i think.