Life is hard for explorers in Tamriel, especially the Dragonborn who has to worry about hundreds of arduous quests and the occasional dragon dropping in to angrily say hello. Being prepared at all times is key for a successful Skyrim adventure, and that’s where the alchemy skill comes in, allowing players to craft their own arsenal of potions to help them along the way.
While potions can be purchased from shops or acquired from drops, they can be hard to come by honestly, and considering players are constantly coming across ingredients, just a little foraging and alchemy skill can be enough to whip up a potion that could mean the difference between life and death. The best potions can aid the player in multiple ways, making the harsh realities of life in Skyrim much easier.
Potion of Bartering
This potion doesn't heal the player, but it's a great one for players to know next time they make their way to a hold and want to save a few septims.
The combination of two of these ingredients is all players need to craft a potion of bartering, and they're all pretty simple to acquire. Combining a butterfly wing, dragon tongue, hagraven claw, and tundra cotton will make bartering a cinch for the Dragonborn so they can purchase that expensive weapon or scroll they've been admiring.
Invisibility Potion
This potion is a must for any sneak-thief or explorer looking to avoid prying eyes. Great for slipping past foes or "borrowing" some items, this potion is invaluable.
All players need is some vampire dust and a chaurus egg to create this invisibility potion, and both ingredients can be found early in the game, even in the apothecary of White Run. Though the alchemy skill can be one of the hardest to level up in Skyrim the ability to slip past difficult foes with ease with this potion make it well worth the time.
Two-Handed Treat
This potion features two effects that are perfect for two-handed weapon yielders who are running out of steam in the heat of battle.
Players shouldn't make the common mistake of ignoring all the ingredients found in the wilds of Skyrim, as combing ingredients as simple as a bee, a fly amanita, and some troll fat are all it takes for this potion that fortifies two handed weapons and regenerates stamina. These two useful effects mean more power attacks and more successful battles.
Doubling Up
Avoid sudden death with this exceedingly simple potion. Whether strictly playing through quests or simply enjoying Skyrim for the journey, it’s a must-have for any adventurer.
Players will only need to do a little foraging to find blue mountain flowers and wheat, time well spent to craft this potion of fortify health and restore health. Players' HP will fall more slowly and regenerate more quickly after a swig of this potion that is incredibly useful to have on hand.
Dragon Defense
When it's time to take on Alduin or any other fearsome dragon, which many players consider to be the most annoying enemies in Skyrim, they should first stock up on hawk beak, moon sugar, and pearl to balance the battlefield.
With the wonderful combo of resist frost, resist shock, restore Magicka and restore stamina, this potion is worth the hunt for the rare ingredients it takes to craft it. Dragons can be the fiercest threat to players, but this potion can make their attacks a little less deadly, giving players the confidence they need to win the fight.
Cure all
Players will be ready to take on frost spiders, wolves, and even the rattles with this potent potion that will have the Dragonborn feeling better than ever through the combination of charred skeever hide, eye of Sabre cat, and mud crab chitin.
Though it takes three ingredients, players can begin finding them as soon as they leave Helgen and the foraging is well worth the four health-boosting effects of this potion which include curing disease, restoring health, restoring stamina, and resisting poison. Perfect for drinking during battle or even while fleeing, crafting some of these potions is an important choice for players in Skyrim.
Mage's Brew
Mages take note, this potion is a must for adventuring beneath the College of Winterhold between classes or anywhere adventure may lead.
For magic users, there’s nothing worse than running out of Magicka in the middle of battle, leaving the player defenseless until their Magicka bar slowly refills, but this potion that fortifies Magicka improves Magicka regeneration and restores it can solve all of those problems in a cinch. This potion requires jazbay grapes, moon sugar, and red mountain flower, making it an accessible potion that will come in handy when the going gets tough.
Sipping Septims
Though players will need to take down some fierce creatures to get the necessary ingredients, crafting and selling this potion will bring in some serious coin, perfect for players who are short on septims.
Gather bear claws, giant’s toes, and hanging moss before heading to the alchemy table to craft this valuable potion. In case players are in a pinch and need to drink it, the effects of fortifying health, fortifying one-handed, and damaging Magicka regeneration aren’t so bad, but selling this potion is the best option.
Poison Resistant
When exploring some of Skyrim's best side quests or even the Dwarven ruins, this potion will save the Dragonborn a lot of poisoning and pain.
Combining Namira’s Rot, garlic and a slaughterfish egg at the alchemy table will create a potion that resists poison, regenerates health, and fortifies stamina. These three useful effects can be a lifesaver while players are stuck in the middle of a dungeon surrounded by poisonous foes whose attacks can drain the players HP.
Warrior Drink
Players who love wielding deadly two-handed weapons will have an easier adventure with this potion on hand.
Slaughterfish scales, thistle branches, and tundra cotton are simple to find and easy to combine, making a potion that fortifies block and two-handed while also resisting frost. Players should stock up on this potion before heading for the coldest holds, as the strength enhancing option will make the journey much easier.