I'm mostly investing in sword & signs. However, I've found that if I know in advance I'll be fighting a certain monster type, I prepare with a decoction. For example, if you fight a pack of drowners, ghouls, alghouls etc. there is a decoction that each time you are damanged, your defense goes up. I think there's also one for vitality & stamina. In the end, I think Alchemy might be underrated since the early perks are pretty weak.
After getting the basic Alchemy recipes, spending points to "Acquired Tolerance" from the first green skills is more than enough to be able to use two Decoctions, and I've been using just random two depending from my own mood. Which is sometimes just the one which boosts my pony attacks by 50%, or just the +10 inventory capacity because of loot.
Example base, you can pretty much still go all around everything, or just straightforward melee / signs.
http://www.gosunoob.com/witcher-3/skill-calculator/?alchemy=125_143_153_235_245_345&slotted_skills=1xalchemy_1_4%7C2xalchemy_1_2%7C3xalchemy_2_4%7C4xalchemy_1_5%7C5xalchemy_2_3%7C6xalchemy_3_4
Example base, you can pretty much still go all around everything, or just straightforward melee / signs.
http://www.gosunoob.com/witcher-3/skill-calculator/?alchemy=125_143_153_235_245_345&slotted_skills=1xalchemy_1_4%7C2xalchemy_1_2%7C3xalchemy_2_4%7C4xalchemy_1_5%7C5xalchemy_2_3%7C6xalchemy_3_4
The game is not difficult enough to require anything but a sign/swordplay character. They are very powerful, but the game needs another, more difficult, difficulty level (or two) to make them essential.
Im level 15 on death march and so far i havent really bothered with them to much. i havent really used oils either. i forget about all those potions most of the time. then later ill look at them and wonder if theyll help then forget about them again hehe.
Ok, I put point into that skill next time I get a point, any idea the name of the skill?
I use them. In fact I often use 2 at the same time during difficult fights. Decoctions are really powerful and nearly OP, but you have to invest in the Alchemy tree to really make the best use of them.
If you use the same build I'm using you'll be able to take 2 decoctions at the same time and still have room to take multiple other potions such as Swallow, Tany Owl or Thunderbolt.
This is what I'm using right now:
Guards are OP in game to prevent players from going off the deep end, ruining the story and slaughtering a town as Geralt lol (game feels open world but we are playing out a story too!) And in my opinion Geralt is an merchant to an extent, in some books he'll kill a monster near a village before actually visiting it, pulling the dead creature behind on his horse to all the way to town to see if there is a reward it or can be sold for alchemy! Love it!
As for worthless loot, its not as worthless if you ask me. Its there for us to take, break down and turn into witcher gears. Money is to be made primarily on killing monsters, everyday weapons/armors dismembered and turned to crafting materials. You can do whatever like I said before. No right or wrong way to play. The game does have its restrictions though, its not like a typical open world. Haha! Its unique!
Have a good day fellow witcher! Thanks for reading!
-Zero (- _ ^ )_//
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Exactly! Thanks for your post and the picture for us to view.
I feel potions/decoctions/oils take away from immersion. There isn't enough quick equip options, and dragging through inventory constantly before/during/after every fight is tedious and really makes the game feel artificial. This is something they've failed to get right in all 3 games.
Therefore, I don't use them. I'll use a few potions and oil before a fight if i'm struggling.
Therefore, I don't use them. I'll use a few potions and oil before a fight if i'm struggling.
I actually like to select and take a couple of potions before a tough combat like what we do in TW2. My quick equip options are only for food and drinks. And decoctions are simply overpower and a lot of fun to use.
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Combo Ekhidna Deoction and Archgriffin Decoction = 10% of your health back whenever you spend stamina + use a strong attack, if any stamina is remaining, spend it then you take 10% off the monster's health. And use it with lvl3 strong attack (ignoring shield, additional 100% damage if adrenaline available) is simply overpower to hell. I used this to two-hit bring down Imlerith on BBB difficulty (This build is most satisfying against a slow boss with heavy shield).
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I use the Werewolf one a lot when I'm exploring because the limited stamina which always runs out quickly preventing me from running when outside of combat is annoying
During combat I understand limiting stamina but why can Geralt only run like 50 yards before needing a break outside of combat?
During combat I understand limiting stamina but why can Geralt only run like 50 yards before needing a break outside of combat?
some of the better ones imo, worth using
Ekhidna: Anything that consumes stamina regenerates your vitality.
Ekimmara: Lifesteal (damage done regenerates health).
Katakan: Increases critical hit chance.
Leshen: Damage reflect.
Ekhidna: Anything that consumes stamina regenerates your vitality.
Ekimmara: Lifesteal (damage done regenerates health).
Katakan: Increases critical hit chance.
Leshen: Damage reflect.
I went alchemy/sword, with the emphasis for sword - so yes, they are amazing.
Ekimmara + Cat armor and Cat build - made the game way to easy (even on hard).
Decoctions could use some balance, cause they are not very useful for other than alchemy builds (or at least part alchemy), and very overpowered for the said builds.
Ekimmara + Cat armor and Cat build - made the game way to easy (even on hard).
Decoctions could use some balance, cause they are not very useful for other than alchemy builds (or at least part alchemy), and very overpowered for the said builds.
Sup, guys...
What does the first potion skill actually do? Does it make you overdose earlier or later?
Is it good for using many potions without worrying about overdose, or for overdosing quickly and make use of overdose bonuses granted by other skills and decoctions?
What does the first potion skill actually do? Does it make you overdose earlier or later?
Is it good for using many potions without worrying about overdose, or for overdosing quickly and make use of overdose bonuses granted by other skills and decoctions?
I can't say for sure what it does, but basically at lvl5 of this skill, you can drink as many potions as you can and not lose health, the only thing that will stop you from drinking too many is your max intoxication lvl(the game simply won't allow you to drink anything)
I have to say I like the auto-refill system. I'd have to create potions manually anyway and there'd be much more busywork with wandering around just to find the herbs. While it might be more immersive for some that way I think streamlining this aspect was good for the overall gameplay. People who don't like it can drop mixures on the ground and go make another on their own. Nothing lost here really.
The refill system is almost there, but it needs a little more meat on it. By that I mean Its a little to simple to just keep a supply of any old alcohol to refill any level potion. Might work better if beer (or better) for level 1 potion, an ordinary spirit for advanced potions, alcohest for superior, for example. I think they were right in making the initial crafting the focus, but refilling could be just a tad more involved.
The same should also be done for bombs. alchemist powder for basic bombs and so on.
The same should also be done for bombs. alchemist powder for basic bombs and so on.