In the war-torn continent of Elyos, a well-honed blade often means the difference between victory and a game over screen. Fire Emblem Engage throws players into strategic battles where weapon upgrades aren't just optional - they're survival essentials. While shiny new gear occasionally drops from defeated foes or story rewards, the real magic happens at the clanging forges of the Somniel's Smithy. This unassuming workshop becomes every tactician's best friend after clearing Chapter 5, offering ways to transform mediocre weapons into legendary arms through careful refinement and mystical engraving.

The Smithy's Secret Sauce

Located in the bustling Plaza area of the Somniel hub world, the Smithy reveals its full potential once players reach Chapter 6. Veteran players might recall similar systems from previous Fire Emblem titles, but Engage adds fresh twists:

• Refinement Station: Boost weapon stats using:

• Gold 💰

• Metals (Iron → Steel → Silver)

• Strategic patience

• Engraving Altar: Infuse weapons with Emblem spirits for:

• Attack speed boosts ⚡

• Critical hit enhancements ✨

• Defense penetration effects 🛡️➔💥

Early-game weapons might make you think "Why bother?" when seeing upgrade costs. But hold onto that Iron Sword - later refinements turn basic gear into mid-game powerhouses. As YouTuber BenFM demonstrated in his playthrough, a +3 Steel Blade can outperform many "rare" weapons found in chests.

Material Math Made Manageable

Resource management becomes crucial when upgrades demand specific metal types:

Material	Common Sources	Exchange Rate
Iron	Early battles	110 → 1 Silver
Steel	Mid-game foes	80 → 1 Silver
Silver	Late-stage rewards	N/A

The Smithy's material exchange feature acts like a medieval recycling center - turning junk into treasure at a 10:1 loss ratio. Pro tip: Hoard early metals until Chapter 14 when upgrade costs spike dramatically.

When to Swing the Upgrade Hammer

Legendary weapons deserve VIP treatment - their upgrade scaling makes them worth every resource. But don't sleep on engraving effects:

• Marth's engraving = +15 Avoid 🤸

• Celica's touch = +5 Magic Might 🔮

• Sigurd's mark = Horse-slaying effectiveness 🐎💢

As one seasoned tactician put it: "Upgrading weapons in Engage feels like teaching an old dog nuclear physics - surprising everyone when it starts launching tactical nukes." The system rewards players who plan 10 chapters ahead while adapting to immediate battle needs.

Strategic Sharpening

Three golden rules for weapon upgrades:

1. 💎 Specialize, don't generalize: Focus on 2-3 core weapons per unit

2. ⏳ Upgrade in waves: Major boosts before boss chapters (8, 17, 23)

3. 🔮 Emblem synergy first: Match engravings to unit classes (Mages + Celica, etc.)

Remember that shiny new Silver Sword isn't always better than a refined Steel Blade with perfect engravings. The game whispers its secrets through subtle stat comparisons - if you listen closely.

In the end, mastering the Smithy's rhythm separates casual commanders from true war architects. As the final battles approach, those carefully upgraded weapons won't just be tools of destruction - they'll be stories forged in iron, steel, and the blood of a thousand battles. The clang of the hammer echoes through Elyos, reminding us that in war preparation...is everything.