Superior Alchemy Formulas only obtainable via random loot

[ajoram]

Superior Alchemy Formulas only obtainable via random loot

This really bugs me. I'm level 27, explored almost all of the ? markers in every area of the game and did tons of secondary quests, even those that were grey. But I haven't been able to come across several alchemy formulas including Superior Northern Wind and Superior White Raffard's Decoction. I wish there were non-random ways to obtain the formulas, like doing specific quests or buying them - willing to pay 20K for each formula. Simply having to rely on a lucky chest drop just doesn't feel like a great game mechanic to me.

 

[dzbrown]

I may be wrong, but I went to Gremist and did buy some updated recipes. My issue was that I had all of the superior alchemy formulas, but didn't have the materials to craft all of them, specifically Ekimarra hides and, to a lesser extent, troll livers.

 

[GhostJR.]

This really bugs me. I'm level 27, explored almost all of the ? markers in every area of the game and did tons of secondary quests, even those that were grey. But I haven't been able to come across several alchemy formulas including Superior Northern Wind and Superior White Raffard's Decoction. I wish there were non-random ways to obtain the formulas, like doing specific quests or buying them - willing to pay 20K for each formula. Simply having to rely on a lucky chest drop just doesn't feel like a great game mechanic to me.

!!SPOILERS!!
they can be bought, found enhanced potions at novigrad, sold by herbalist and superior once you complete a quest for a druid called Gremist on Skellige

 

[ajoram]

Bought all formulae from Gremist. Unless he gets new stuff later in the game some of them are apparently radom loot.

 

[Goodmongo]

Troll livers can be farmed. There is a level 10 troll that occupiers a bridge near the 'crossroads' sign post. This is south of the tree with the spirit that you kill or set free. At first it's a bandit camp but once you clear it out, leave the area and go to a different map and then come back in a day or so (reload might be necessary) the troll is there. It can now be farmed by waiting for an hour and reloading the game. And since it's level 10 it is easy to farm. Much easier then getting those red mutagens.

 

[Mr_Walker]

Still haven't got Superior Relict Oil. Really not a fan of having that sort of thing in the hands of the RNGods.

 

[Mekc]

Gremist has A LOT of formulae, but not all (actually, not even half). And all the rest, especially oils, are random! I'm looking for Superior Elemental Oil everywhere and can't find it.

I agree - it's very strange that they don't have it sold.

 

[Liuhu77]

Gremist is selling only runestones and glyphs with diagrams for them. That's very weird for a master alchemist. Anyone else having the same 'issue'? Not a single alchemy related formula on him.

Hmm.. IIRC he had a formula for Rebis, but the rest is just runestones and glyphs.

 

[kmetek]

vampire oil where?

 

[Andihw]

It's not just superior alchemy formulas but all alchemy formulas (and diagrams?) seems to be randomly put in chests (containers) or sold at merchants/blacksmiths/armorers/herbalists. These containers doesn't seem to be random though , meaning there's always containers that may drop recipes (alchemy or diagrams) however the dropped recipes seems to be random.

What is not certain is if all recipe containers are found, will all recipes be learnable ? Because I've already come across at least 4 containers that dropped duplicate diagrams and maybe recipes?.

And do not rely on the "?" on the world map. Most if not all recipe containers doesn't appear on those places. In fact some of recipe containers i've found are well hidden. And not marked on the map.

For example, there's a hidden container on the cliff beside the Var Atre residence in novigrad. Jump across the fence beside the house and land on the small cliff there. Activate your witcher sense and you will see a well hidden chest behind the bushes. It dropped superior hanged man oil for me.

Another example is the well hidden chest on the cave where you get the sun stone (main quest). After solving the mirrors puzzle, go through the opened gate after philippa leave, explore the cave there, break all stalagmites, the chest is behind one of those stalagmites. For me , it dropped my last superior bomb recipe, the northern wind.

Making these recipes to be a random drop doesn't sit well with me. I never liked RNG and probably never will. If only these recipes can be located by using treasure hunts like witcher gears , things would be perfect. If these can be randomized , it will make each and every game played will be unique making replayability much higher.