Bladesong Guides
Master sword-making in Bladesong with comprehensive guides covering forging, customization, and customer satisfaction
Beginner Guides
Getting Started with Bladesong
Learn the basics of running your blacksmith shop in Eren Keep
📖 5 min read
Welcome to Eren Keep
Bladesong places you in the role of a blacksmith in Eren Keep, one of humanity's last safe havens in a medieval fantasy world. Your goal is to craft custom swords for various customers while building your reputation and mastering the art of sword-making.
Your Workshop
Your forge is equipped with all essential tools: anvil, forge fire, grinding wheel, and assembly table. You'll use these stations to shape blades, heat metal, sharpen edges, and assemble final pieces. Time management is crucial as orders have deadlines.
First Orders
Start with simple commissions from town guards and common folk. These introductory orders help you learn the core mechanics: heating metal to proper temperature, hammering blade shapes, balancing weight distribution, and attaching hilts and guards. Early customers are forgiving of minor imperfections.
Building Reputation
Successfully completing orders on time with quality craftsmanship increases your reputation. Higher reputation unlocks more demanding (and profitable) customers including nobles, adventurers, and collectors who require specific designs and superior quality.
Forging Basics
Master the fundamental mechanics of blade creation
📖 7 min read
Blade Shaping System
Bladesong features freeform blade shaping controls. Use the hammer tool to define your blade's profile, thickness, and taper. The point, edge geometry, and overall shape affect both aesthetics and functional stats. Practice creates muscle memory for consistent results.
Heat Management
Metal must be heated to the correct temperature before shaping. Too cold and it won't deform; too hot and it becomes brittle. Watch the color indicators: dull red for rough shaping, bright orange for fine work, yellow-white means overheating. Return to the forge as needed during crafting.
Weight and Balance
A sword's balance point determines its handling characteristics. Adjust by modifying blade weight (length, width, thickness), adding heavier or lighter guards, and selecting appropriate pommels. The balance indicator shows where the sword pivots - aim for customer-specific requirements.
Sharpening
After shaping, use the grinding wheel to create the cutting edge. Angle and pressure determine sharpness. A fine edge pleases combat customers but requires more time. Ceremonial blades may prioritize appearance over actual sharpness.
Quality Assessment
Each finished sword receives quality ratings for balance, sharpness, craftsmanship, and aesthetic appeal. These ratings determine customer satisfaction and payment. Aim to meet or exceed order specifications while working efficiently.
Understanding Customer Requirements
Learn what different customer types expect from their swords
📖 6 min read
Reading Order Specifications
Each customer order includes specific requirements: desired blade length, weight range, balance preference, and aesthetic style. Some customers emphasize function (guards, soldiers), while others prioritize appearance (nobles, collectors). Pay attention to highlighted priority stats.
Military Customers
Town guards and soldiers need practical weapons: balanced weight, durable construction, comfortable grip, and good edge retention. They rarely care about elaborate decorations. Focus on functionality and meeting exact specifications for these repeat customers.
Noble Patrons
Wealthy nobles commission ceremonial and display pieces. Aesthetics, prestige, and uniqueness matter most. Use ornate guards, fine materials, and decorative elements. These orders pay well but demand higher craftsmanship standards and longer production times.
Adventurers
Adventurers seek reliable weapons for actual combat. They appreciate good balance, sharpness, and durability but have budget constraints. These customers test your ability to deliver quality within time and cost limitations.
Workshop Time Management
Optimize your workflow to meet deadlines efficiently
📖 5 min read
Order Deadlines
Every commission has a deadline measured in in-game days. Late delivery reduces payment and damages reputation. Check your order board regularly and prioritize urgent requests. Some customers pay bonuses for early completion.
Workflow Optimization
Efficient blacksmiths minimize wasted movement and repetitive heating cycles. Plan your approach: rough shape the blade first, then refine details. Prepare guards and hilts while metal cools. Learn to work on multiple orders in parallel during heating phases.
Tool Station Layout
Familiarize yourself with your workshop layout. Minimize travel time between forge, anvil, grindstone, and assembly table. As you progress, you may unlock workshop upgrades that improve efficiency and add new capabilities.
Intermediate Techniques
Selecting Components
Choose the right guards, hilts, and pommels for each sword
📖 8 min read
Cross-Guards
Guards protect the wielder's hand and add weight for balance. Simple cross-guards suit functional weapons. Ornate swept guards appeal to nobles. Consider guard width, weight, and decorative style when selecting. Guards can be purchased from merchants or unlocked through progression.
Hilt and Grip Selection
Hilts determine handle comfort and appearance. Leather-wrapped handles suit practical weapons. Wire-wrapped or carved wooden grips add visual appeal. Hilt length affects two-handed versus one-handed use. Match grip style to customer preferences and sword weight.
Pommel Functions
Pommels counterbalance the blade and complete the sword's aesthetic. Heavy pommels shift balance toward the handle (preferred for larger blades). Decorative pommels (spherical, animal heads, geometric shapes) serve ceremonial purposes. Match pommel weight to blade weight for optimal balance.
Material Sourcing and Costs
Find and purchase the best materials for your creations
📖 6 min read
Merchants and Vendors
The market district hosts merchants selling guards, hilts, pommels, and exotic materials. Visit regularly as inventory rotates. Building relationships with merchants may unlock rare components and better prices.
Cost Management
Balance material costs against customer budgets and your profit margins. Common components suit most orders. Reserve expensive materials for high-paying commissions. Track spending to ensure profitable operations.
Exotic Materials
Rare materials like quality steel, precious metal inlays, and unique gems become available as you progress. These enable premium creations that command higher prices and attract exclusive clientele. Experiment with combinations for unique results.
Creating Custom Designs
Develop signature styles and unique sword configurations
📖 7 min read
Design Philosophy
As you master basics, develop your own design style. Some smiths specialize in elegant curves, others in aggressive angles. Your signature aesthetic can attract specific customer types and build a unique reputation in Eren Keep.
Experimentation
Use practice mode or low-stakes orders to experiment with unusual blade shapes, component combinations, and balance profiles. Document successful designs for future reference. Failed experiments teach valuable lessons about what customers appreciate.
Advanced Mastery
Prestigious Commissions
Handle the most demanding and profitable orders
📖 9 min read
High-End Clientele
Master-level reputation unlocks orders from royalty, legendary warriors, and wealthy collectors. These customers demand perfection: exact specifications, flawless execution, and often unique design requirements. Payment is substantial but expectations are unforgiving.
Complex Requirements
Advanced orders may require specific statistical profiles, aesthetic themes, or historical recreations. You'll need extensive component libraries, material knowledge, and crafting precision. Study each order carefully and plan your approach before starting work.
Masterwork Quality
Achieving masterwork status requires near-perfect execution in all aspects: blade geometry, balance precision, sharpness consistency, and aesthetic harmony. Practice individual techniques until they become second nature. Masterworks significantly boost reputation and unlock even more exclusive opportunities.
Production Efficiency
Maximize output without sacrificing quality
📖 7 min read
Parallel Processing
Advanced smiths juggle multiple orders simultaneously. While one blade heats, work on another's assembly. While grinding one edge, plan the next commission. This parallel workflow dramatically increases productivity and profitability.
Quality Shortcuts
Learn which customers prioritize which attributes. Some accept slightly rough finishes if balance is perfect. Others forgive minor balance issues if aesthetics shine. Efficient smiths deliver exactly what customers value most, saving time on less important aspects.
Workshop Optimization
Upgrade and organize your forge for maximum capability
📖 6 min read
Upgrades and Improvements
Invest profits in workshop upgrades: improved forges for faster heating, precision grinding wheels for better sharpness, organizational systems for component storage. Each upgrade incrementally improves your capabilities and efficiency.
Advanced Tools
Unlock specialized tools that enable new techniques or improve precision. These investments pay off through access to more profitable commissions and faster production times.