Adventuring through Tamriel isn’t just about hunting down beasts and slaying them. There are other activities to try, and the six crafting professions, also known as trade skills, are the most beneficial and lucrative. The six professions are:
Anyone can take up crafting, but you need to spend Skill Points in a specific craft if you wish to create more impressive items, and become more profitable if this hobby turns into a trade. Crafting requires the gathering of ingredients, items, and other materials from across the world, whether looted from foes, found naturally, bought from traders, or converted from raw materials. New items are then crafted at a crafting station specific to your profession.
Crafting is rewarding in a number of ways. You’re able to create new items relying solely on your own competence rather than depending on others, you can sell these items for fun and profit, and you can choose to keep and use a wealth of items to become self-sufficient instead of purchasing them. Some of the most potent items available anywhere are available to craft, provided you have the necessary ingredients, components, and competence.
Don’t overlook crafting. Although it doesn’t seem initially as helpful as mastering a weapon, armor, or magic-based skill line, it’s worth starting to investigate one or two of the six professions as you gain Experience, if only to augment the quality of your equipment. Conversely, be warned that attempting to master all six professions with a single character usually results in one that is unimpressive in all of them and lacks combat skills to properly survive, as all points are poured into crafting. This is unwise, so stick to professions that directly benefit your character build. For example, Blacksmithing can help you forge better weapons.