Using Smithing Templates for Abstruse and Guardian Armor

What Smithing Templates Do

Smithing templates drive the smithing_transform recipe type. Two templates appear in the armor lines: Abstruse Smithing Template and Amber Guardian Smithing Template. Each template is consumed when you perform a transform, so you need one per piece you upgrade. The smithing table is the only station that runs these recipes.

Upgrading to Abstruse Armor

To produce Abstruse Googles, Abstruse Coat, Abstruse Pants, and Abstruse Boots, place an Abstruse Smithing Template in the template slot, your base armor piece in the equipment slot, and the required upgrade material in the addition slot. Confirm the output before removing anything — the template and materials are consumed on completion. Repeat for each piece.

Upgrading to Amber Guardian Armor

The Amber Guardian line works identically. Amber Guardian Helmet, Amber Guardian Chestplate, Amber Guardian Leggings, and Amber Guardian Boots each require an Amber Guardian Smithing Template plus the corresponding base armor piece. Stockpile templates before you begin; running out mid-set leaves you with mismatched protection.

Planning Your Upgrades

Decide which set you want before spending templates. If you are building both lines, gather double the templates. Keep your base armor pieces ready in a chest next to the smithing table so you can move through the upgrades in one session. Smithing transforms do not use the crafting grid, so do not try to craft these pieces at a crafting table — they will not appear.