Alchemy givesBaldur’s Gate 3players a chance to brew their ownspecial concoctionsto prepare for hard fights. The system definitely has someWitcherDNA in the sense that proper preparation can really make a difference. Elixirs are one of three types of alchemical substances you can create.
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These homemade brews provide a variety of different bonuses. Some provide damage resistance, while others can help you perform better in combat. Given that alchemy ingredients are limited, here are the best recipes you should use.
10Elixir Of The Colossus
If you want your Strength build powerhouse to get even better, the Elixir Of The Colossus is how you can. Available as early as act one, the elixirs grants whoever consumes it the effect of the Enlarge spell. Your character will grow one size larger, gain advantage to all Strength checks, and deal an extra d4 of damage with weapons.
All martial classes benefit from the Elixir Of The Colossus, especially non-barbarians, since they can get a similar buff through rage. Thanks to the size increase, your character is also heavier and less likely to be shoved off a cliff. Its main ingredient, the Chasm Creeper can be a bit difficult to find, however.
9Tadpole Elixir
To get the recipe for this elixir, you can do an act oneside quest for Omeluum, the friendly mind flayer. Bring him Tinmask spores and a Tongue of Madness, and you will learn the recipe as a reward. The Tadpole Elixir gives you a volatile trade-off when consumed. You will gain two statuses; psionic empowerment and psionic weakening.
Psionic weakening will give you disadvantage on all Constitution, Intelligence, and Wisdom saving throws. In return, the psionic empowerment will grant advantage to all your attacks for three turns. This can be a powerful boost in a pinch; just be wary of failing saving throws, since Wisdom and Constitution of common targets.
8Elixir Of Viciousness
The Elixir of Viciousness provides a simple but useful buff. It lowers the number you need to deal critical hits by one. While still a low chance to crit, mathematically, it will double the amount of crits you get if you have no other boosts.
you may, however, get other crit boosts. Many bonuses toward your critical target number will stack, especially as aChampion Fighter. Champion half-orcs can deal frequent, devastating crits with a little help from this elixir.
7Elixir Of Necrotic Resistance
Whether you’re playing as a good or evil character, you’ll find yourself up against villains either way. Necrotic damage is associated with darkness and death in Dungeons & Dragons. Many bosses employ necrotic damage in some form or another.
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Elixirs of Necrotic Resistance are especially useful in Chapter 2. The Shadowlands are full of undead that use necrotic damage to reduce your Hit Point maximums, in addition to straightforward damage. The moment you get this recipe, it’s worth crafting a few to have on hand at all times.
6Elixir Of Fire Resistance
Preventing damage is the best mitigation you may do to keep yourself alive in a fight. During prolonged sequences,where you can’t long rest, damage can really pile up. Damage from fire is perhaps the most common damage you can take aside from physical damage.
Elixirs of Fire Resistance are plentiful to both buy and craft throughout Baldur’s Gate 3. If you don’t know what you’re going to face, drinking one of these is a safe bet. Fire arrows, spell casters, alchemist fire — enemies have so many ways to burn you that fire resistance is the most valuable resistance to have.
5Elixirs Of Arcane Cultivation (All Variants)
Elixirs of Arcane Cultivation grant your spell casters a boost by giving a designated spell level an additional slot. To spell casters, spell slots are equivalent to stamina. So long as they are empowered, they can keep fighting to the best of their ability.
These elixirs come in four variants, increasing the spell slots for levels one through four respectively. Naturally, the ones granting higher spells are better, but you won’t be able to use them until you have a corresponding spell slot anyway. In Baldur’s Gate, you use what you can, when you can, to get an edge. These elixirs are fairly common from vendors, and theirrecipes are unlockedfrom common ingredients.
4Elixir Of Guileful Movement
Anyone who has played Baldur’s Gate has encountered difficult terrain. Many times, the ideal move will be just out of reach due to a little mud, ice, or other hazard. Sometimes, the movement prediction will trick you by forgetting to take difficult terrain into account.
To avoid those frustrations, you can use the Elixir Of Guileful Movement. After consumption, the elixir lets you ignore difficult terrain completely. While already good, it also prevents your character from being paralyzed or restrained as well. It’s a huge buff that lasts until your next rest, and its spell equivalent would require a fourth-level spell slot instead.
3Elixir Of Giant Strength
Stat boosting Elixirs are few and far between. If you know you have a tough fight coming, drinking an Elixir of Giant Strength is a good idea. Even if you’re not playing a Strength build, you will benefit from the boosted might. Strength affect your shove ability and jump distance as well.
There are two variants of this elixir you can find in-game. One for Cloud Giant strength, granting you 27 Strength, and one for Hill Giant, only granting 21. The more powerful Cloud Giant potion is only available in the late-game, so you’ll have to make do until then.
2Elixir Of Bloodlust
The Elixir Of Bloodlust rewards an aggressive playstyle. Whenever you kill an enemy while under the effects of this elixir, you will be rewarded with an additional action for that turn. Actions are the most powerful resource in combat.
With extra actions, you’re able to cast more spells, make more attacks, and assist injured teammates. It even gives a small boost of temporary hit points to help you take an extra hit. Baldur’s Gate 3 will often have enemies outnumber you in combat, so the action economy is already against you. Use this elixir to even the score.
1Elixir Of Universal Resistance
The Elixir Of Universal Resistance is the absolute best elixir in the game. It’s the potent trick you keep up your sleeve for the most extreme fights in your future. For ten turns, the consuming character gainsresistance to all damage.
While it only lasts a brief moment when compared to potions that last until you rest, this Elixir does have the added benefit that it will not replace any other elixir consumed. It is a valuable rarity, and with good reason. You can make a handful of them in any campaign, but every single time, it’s worth it.
