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Weaponsmithing is the most popular Blacksmithing specialization in TBC Classic Anniversary — and for good reason. The weapons you can craft as a Weaponsmith are genuinely some of the strongest in the entire expansion, with several hitting pre-raid BiS status in Phase 1. If you’re a melee DPS class with Blacksmithing, this is almost certainly the path you want to take.
What makes Weaponsmithing unique is that it goes one step further than other specs: after becoming a Weaponsmith, you then pick a sub-specialization — Axesmith, Swordsmith, or Hammersmith. Each one has its own exclusive weapon chain with different strengths, so the choice you make at that second step matters a lot. This guide walks you through the full process and helps you figure out which path is right for your class.
What Is Weaponsmithing in TBC Classic?
Weaponsmithing is one of the two Blacksmithing specializations (the other being Armorsmithing). It unlocks exclusive Bind on Pickup weapons that you can only craft and equip if you have the correct specialization. You cannot buy these from the Auction House or have someone else make them for you.
Weaponsmithing is also the only specialization in the game with sub-specializations. Once you’re a Weaponsmith, you choose between Axesmith, Swordsmith, and Hammersmith — each with their own two-handed and one-handed weapon chains that upgrade across the expansion’s phases. Like all Blacksmithing spec items, these weapons follow a three-stage upgrade chain using increasingly rare materials as you progress through content.
Requirements to Become a Weaponsmith
Before you can start the quest, make sure you’ve hit both of these:
- Character level 40 or higher
- Blacksmithing skill of at least 200
You don’t need to choose immediately at level 40 — there’s no rush, and the spec doesn’t affect your leveling path. That said, in TBC Anniversary 2026 it’s worth planning your sub-spec early since the Phase 1 weapons are available as soon as you hit Blacksmithing 350.
How to Become a Weaponsmith — Step by Step
Step 1 — Talk to Your Blacksmithing Trainer
Head to your capital city and speak to the master Blacksmithing trainer:
- 🔵 Alliance: Myolor Sunderfury in Ironforge
- 🔴 Horde: Krakthok Moltenfist in Orgrimmar
Select “I wish to become a weaponsmith.” This step is required — you won’t be offered the quest if you skip it.
Step 2 — Pick Up the Quest: The Way of the Weaponsmith
They’ll send you to the nearby Weaponsmith trainer:
- 🔵 Alliance: Ironus Coldsteel in Ironforge
- 🔴 Horde: Borgosh Corebender in Orgrimmar
The quest asks you to turn in the following 12 weapons. You don’t have to craft them yourself — buying from the Auction House works fine:
🎯 Tip: Plans for Moonsteel Broadsword and Massive Iron Axe have limited stock from vendors in Stranglethorn Vale (Zarena Cromwind in Booty Bay sells Moonsteel Broadsword plans). If you’d rather skip the crafting entirely, just check the Auction House — these are cheap and commonly available.
Step 3 — Choose Your Sub-Specialization in Everlook
Once you’ve completed The Way of the Weaponsmith and are officially a Weaponsmith, travel to Everlook in Winterspring. All three sub-spec trainers are in the same building there. This is where you commit to Axesmith, Swordsmith, or Hammersmith — each has its own short quest that involves clearing a dungeon boss.
| Sub-Spec | Trainer | Quest Name | Dungeon Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⚔️ Swordsmith | Seril Scourgebane | Corruption | Stratholme (Undead side) — kill Black Guard Swordsmith, loot Insignia of the Black Guard |
| 🔨 Hammersmith | Lilith the Lithe | Sweet Serenity | Stratholme (Living side) — kill Crimson Hammersmith, loot Crimson Hammersmith’s Apron |
| 🪓 Axesmith | Kilram | Snakestone of the Shadow Huntress | Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS) — kill Shadow Hunter Vosh’gajin, loot Vosh’gajin’s Snakestone |
None of these quests are particularly hard for a level 70 character — you can solo or duo the required bosses easily. Axesmith has the quickest run since LBRS is generally faster than Stratholme.
Sub-Specialization Weapon Chains
This is the heart of Weaponsmithing. Each sub-spec gives you access to two upgrade chains — one two-handed weapon line and one one-handed line. Every item is BoP, crafted in three stages using materials that get progressively harder to obtain as you advance through phases.
⚔️ Swordsmith Weapons
| Weapon Type | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-Hand Sword | Lionheart Blade | Lionheart Champion | Lionheart Executioner |
| One-Hand Sword | Fireguard | Blazeguard | Blazefury |
The Lionheart Executioner is one of the most iconic weapons in TBC — strong Strength and Agility, plus a proc that grants 100 Strength for a short burst. It’s excellent for Retribution Paladins and Arms Warriors in PvE. Human players benefit especially because of their racial Sword expertise bonus.
🔨 Hammersmith Weapons
| Weapon Type | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-Hand Mace | Thunder | Deep Thunder | Stormherald |
| One-Hand Mace | Drakefist Hammer | Dragonmaw | Dragonstrike |
Hammersmith is the king of PvP weaponsmithing. Starting from Deep Thunder (Stage 2), the two-handed mace line gets a chance-on-hit to stun the target for 4 seconds — one of the most disruptive procs in Arena. Anyone serious about climbing arena ratings as Arms Warrior or Ret Paladin will want to craft this line.
The one-handed Dragonstrike is equally strong for PvE — it has a powerful Haste proc on a 2.7 speed mace, making it a top choice for Enhancement Shamans and Fury Warriors running dual-wield setups.
🪓 Axesmith Weapons
| Weapon Type | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-Hand Axe | Lunar Crescent | Mooncleaver | Bloodmoon |
| One-Hand Axe | The Planar Edge | The Planar Edge (upgraded) | Wicked Edge of the Planes |
Bloodmoon (Stage 3) has the highest raw attack power bonus of the three two-handers, sitting just above Lionheart Executioner and Stormherald on pure DPS. It’s a natural fit for Orc Warriors and Hunters who get racial expertise with Axes. Axesmith is also the least popular sub-spec, which means you might find yourself in higher demand on certain servers.
Which Sub-Specialization Should You Pick?
The short answer: pick the one that matches the weapon type your class uses, your racial bonus, and whether you’re focused on PvE or PvP.
| Class / Spec | Recommended Sub-Spec | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Arms Warrior (PvE) | ⚔️ Swordsmith | Lionheart Executioner is one of the best PvE two-handers in Phase 1–2 |
| Arms Warrior (PvP) | 🔨 Hammersmith | Deep Thunder / Stormherald stun proc is game-changing in Arena |
| Fury Warrior | 🔨 Hammersmith | Dragonmaw / Dragonstrike haste proc is exceptional for dual-wield Fury |
| Retribution Paladin (PvE) | ⚔️ Swordsmith | Lionheart Executioner’s Strength stats and proc are ideal for Ret |
| Retribution Paladin (PvP) | 🔨 Hammersmith | Stormherald stun enables burst windows in Arena |
| Enhancement Shaman | 🔨 Hammersmith | Dragonstrike’s haste proc interacts very well with Windfury |
| Protection Warrior | ⚔️ Swordsmith | Better tanking weapons available; Sword expertise helps threat generation |
| Orc / Troll DPS | 🪓 Axesmith | Orc racial Axe expertise makes Axesmith weapons slightly stronger for Orcs |
⚡ Quick rule of thumb: PvE-focused melee? Lean toward Swordsmith or Axesmith for the raw stats. PvP-focused or dual-wield classes? Hammersmith’s stun and haste procs are hard to beat.
How the Stage Upgrade System Works
All Weaponsmith crafts follow the same three-stage upgrade path:
- Stage 1 (Phase 1): Requires Blacksmithing 350. All materials are tradeable — buy from the AH or farm them yourself. Craft as soon as you hit 350 skill.
- Stage 2 (Phase 2): Requires Blacksmithing 375 and Primal Nethers, which drop from final bosses in 5-man Heroic dungeons (100% in Heroic, low chance in Normal).
- Stage 3 (Phase 3): Requires Nether Vortex, which drops from Serpentshrine Cavern and Tempest Keep — opening in Phase 2 of TBC Anniversary 2026.
You don’t craft each stage from scratch. You take the existing weapon and upgrade it with additional materials — so your Stage 1 sword literally becomes your Stage 3 sword over time. All items are BoP at every stage.
Can You Switch Sub-Specializations?
Switching your Weaponsmith vs Armorsmith choice costs 100 Gold and is done at your specialization trainer — straightforward enough. Switching your sub-specialization (e.g., Axesmith to Swordsmith) is more involved in TBC Classic. You’d need to unlearn Weaponsmithing first and relearn it, which means re-doing the quest chain. Think carefully before committing to a sub-spec, especially since the weapons are all BoP and tied to your character.
Is Weaponsmithing Worth It in TBC Anniversary 2026?
Yes — for the right classes, it’s one of the strongest profession choices in the game. The weapon chains give you a reliable path to pre-raid BiS weapons that don’t require raid attendance or lucky drops. In a year where all four phases are compressed into a shorter schedule, being able to craft your own Stage 1 epic in Phase 1 and upgrade it cleanly through Phases 2 and 3 is a real advantage.
For everything else about Blacksmithing, check out our full TBC Classic Blacksmithing Guide and the Blacksmithing Leveling Guide (1-375). If you’re still weighing Weaponsmithing against other profession options for your class, the Best Professions for Each Class guide breaks down every scenario.
