Black Guard Swordsmith

Stratholme

The Gauntlet

Enter from the service entrance or return from the Scarlet branch, then work through Anastari's, Nerub'enkan's and Maleki's ziggurats. After each boss, enter its building and clear the Thuzadin Acolytes; leaving them alive keeps the route to Slaughter Square shut. Deal with Magistrate Barthilas before the square if the service-entrance approach sent the magistrate running. Black Guard Swordsmith is a plans detour by Anastari's ziggurat, and Stonespine is an optional patrol encounter rather than a gate requirement.

Black Guard Swordsmith

Elite Undead

The Swordsmith is an optional Blacksmithing Plans ambush beside a ziggurat, where Banshee Curse can weaken the party's weapon attacks.

Abilities

  • Banshee Curse

    Remove Banshee Curse from weapon attackers when possible, especially if the tank's attacks are failing to connect after the ambush.

Tank
Stand ready beside Anastari's cleared ziggurat stairs before a player touches the Blacksmithing Plans. Take the Swordsmith off the reader immediately rather than letting the ambush move into the next street pull.
Healer
Be ready before the plans are touched, since the Swordsmith attacks the activating player. Help remove Banshee Curse when your class can do so and keep the reader alive during the pickup.
Damage
Wait for the tank's pickup after the plans summon the Swordsmith. A curse remover should restore weapon attackers' hit chance before committing the group's damage cooldowns.