Blacksmith

Haedrig Eamon is an Artisan Blacksmith in Diablo 3. He is New Tristram's Blacksmith, making weapons, armor and anything that is required for the town as well as its guard. Being an Artisan, he can also socket items, and craft a wide variety of special items as well.

Lore/Backstory

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

Once the deed is done, Haedrig joins with the player out of gratitude and a desire to leave the scene of his tragedy. Traveling with the Caravan, Haedrig puts his blacksmithing talents to their best use, assisting the hero in his trails and travails.

Features

Haedrig asking the Monk to help him with his sick wife.

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

• Salvage Cube

Haedrig gives you this cube after you've completed his initial quest and earned his gratitude. Use it to salvage items into the materials required for all crafting recipes.

• 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 can Socket items, regardless of the quality of the item. However, he can only socket specific item types, which are Weapons, Shields, Helms, Bracers, Belts and Boots. It is unknown if specialization into an item type or leveling up increase the number of items he can socket, like Chest items, for instance.

• 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

Wagon upgrade concept art.

Haedrig's wagon and general shop appearance will change, growing more shiny and impressive, as he is leveled up.

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 blacksmithy, at the first, second, and highest level of upgrades.

References

• Artisan Presentation Video
• Interview with Jay Wilson