Blacksmith

Haedrig Eamon is an Artisan Blacksmith in Diablo 3. He is encountered in New Tristram, then joins the Caravan and serves as the game's Blacksmith, making weapons, armor and anything that is required for the hero during his travels throughout Sanctuary.

Haedrig is one of two Artisans in Diablo III, and is the NPC who can socket items, make repairs, and craft a wide variety of weapons and armor.

Contents

Lore/Backstory

Haedrig's quest.

Haedrig was a young husband and father in New Tristram, when the fiery Meteor crashed down through the Monastery. In the chaos and demonic uprising that followed, his wife and child were slain, then returned to half-life as hideous zombies. Brokenhearted over their undead fate, Haedrig beseeches the hero to find them and destroy them, putting their souls to rest.

Once the deed is done, Haedrig gifts the player with the Salvage Cube, as well as joining the Caravan, out of a desire to help the player and to leave behind the scene of his tragedy. While with the Caravan, Haedrig puts his blacksmithing talents to their best use, assisting the hero in his trails and travails.

Features

The Blacksmith's interface, Training.

Being an Artisan, Haedrig is a unique NPC, he can do unique things as well as be a regular vendor and an interactive character.

• Crafting

All artisans in Diablo 3 can craft special items. The Blacksmith focuses on crafting weapons and armor, and eventually can specialize in an item type, such as swords or axes. Once he's specialized, Haedrig will stock more of that item type, as well as learning more recipes to create special versions of it.

• Repairing

Haedrig can repair items in Diablo III, a feature no other Artisan or vendor can do.

• Socketing

Haedrig was originally set to socket items, but that ability was transferred to the Jeweler during development.

• Salvaging

Salvaging was originally intended for the Nephalem Cube. Since the Nephalem Cube is now gone, The Blacksmith will help the player with all the salvaging.

• Training

Haedrig can be trained in his art, provided the player gives him Salvaging Supplies and some Gold. Upon giving these materials to him (these come in sets, for example, 4 Common Scraps and 500 gold for 1 upgrade), Haedrig gains experience. Once he levels up, Haedrig offers more crafting recipes, more/better items sold and is visually Upgraded.

• • Current Known Ranks of the Headrig's Training (in ascending order): Apprentice, Journeyman.

Appearance and Upgrades

Haedrig's wagon and general shop appearance will change, growing more shiny and impressive, as he is leveled up. Each of the Artisans in Diablo III has 10 levels to upgrade through.

This happens for all of the Artisans, but so far the only in-game images released for any of them are of the Blacksmith and his cart. You can compare the concept art, to the right, to the in-game appearance at the first, second, and fifth (highest) levels from screenshots, in the compilation image below.

Comparisons of the smithy at the first, second, and highest level of upgrades. (At the time of this image, there were only 5 Artisan levels. There are now 10, so the looks of each level now differ slightly.)

A video of his upgrade animation:

References

• Artisan Presentation Video
• Interview with Jay Wilson

Gallery

• 

  Four levels of the 10 potential upgrades.

• 

  Haedrig's Wagon in-game.

• 

  Wagon upgrade concept art.