The Witcher 3 Alchemy System

[ZeroZero30]

Is anyone having a problem by which they can't create potions as they have picked up the enhanced version, and in order to create the enhanced version you need the original? There is no way of creating the original as the enhanced schematic has displaced it.

Some help would be appreciated,

Thanks

Maybe you just haven't come by the normal schematic yet? I'm pretty sure that it doesn't work the way you're describing with the enhanced or the superior versions completely replacing the normal versions of schematics. If it really does then that's a bug.

On topic: I'm not too fond of the auto-refilling mechanic as well, as I feel it's way too easy and oversimplifies where it really doesn't need to be simplified or streamlined in the first place. Sure, it saves time but ultimately takes away in other aspects like immersion or challenge.

As already pointed out you can cleverly bypass the new mechanic and play it like TW1 or TW2 by throwing away stuff, so I guess it's not that big of an issue. I'm sure someone is already hard at work on a mod that fully replaces the current alchemy system with something that's more in line with TW1's or TW2's.

 

[rramos3]

Hey guys, I'm not exactly sure what blizzard potion does. It says that it sharpens your reflexes but what does that mean gameplay wise??

slows the enemies down. rather use thunderbolt and just use yrden sign with it.

 

[Waratah]

Maybe you just haven't come by the normal schematic yet? I'm pretty sure that it doesn't work the way you're describing with the enhanced or the superior versions completely replacing the normal versions of schematics. If it really does then that's a bug.

On topic: I'm not too fond of the auto-refilling mechanic as well, as I feel it's way too easy and oversimplifies where it really doesn't need to be simplified or streamlined in the first place. Sure, it saves time but ultimately takes away in other aspects like immersion or challenge.

As already pointed out you can cleverly bypass the new mechanic and play it like TW1 or TW2 by throwing away stuff, so I guess it's not that big of an issue. I'm sure someone is already hard at work on a mod that fully replaces the current alchemy system with something that's more in line with TW1's or TW2's.

Unfortunately I believe it is a bug as I have created the original Swallow and it is now nowhere to be seen and only the enhanced version is there, it's been replaced. Unless that only happens to potions you have already created. It's a real shame and stopping me from playing at the moment.

Thanks for your help though!

 

[ZeroZero30]

Seems to be a bug indeed: http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/702760-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt/71846709

Someone got the formula for the Enhanced Dancing Star bomb but didn't create the normal version of it and now is stuck because the enhanced version really does replace the original formula. Well, CDPR better gets this fixed ASAP.

It's weird though, because in case of the mutagens the formulae for the greater version does not replace the formulae for the lesser mutagen.

 

[frynse]

I think most of my fears regarding the system turned out true unfortunately. On the bright side I guess you don't need to worry about having to gather so many ingredients, but the problem is that the timer for the potions are so short. Unless you use certain potions right as you attack, you'll often activate a potion and it will run out before you've even had a proper opportunity to use it which I think is a nuisance to say the least.
Anyway, I still hope someone might release a somewhat balanced mod that changes this some time down the line.

 

[Marilith01]

It is even worse with Cat potions: They run for 3 minutes, I think. In a cave/dungeon exploration you will want to use them. So you have to meditate every 9 minutes!!

I think they expect us silly players to meditate after every fight anyway, and the Cat potions were overlooked...

 

[kindaichi83]

It is even worse with Cat potions: They run for 3 minutes, I think. In a cave/dungeon exploration you will want to use them. So you have to meditate every 9 minutes!!

I think they expect us silly players to meditate after every fight anyway, and the Cat potions were overlooked...

there is the enhanced cat which lasts for 9 minutes but i still much prefer the witcher 1 system. where the potion last very long and you only need to find the main ingredient and not specific herbs.

 

[whiplash27]

If you upgrade the alchemy branch your potions will last longer. My potions are starting to last a decent amount of time now. Probably a bit less than the length they were in TW2.

 

[onionshavelayers]

I think most of my fears regarding the system turned out true unfortunately. On the bright side I guess you don't need to worry about having to gather so many ingredients, but the problem is that the timer for the potions are so short. Unless you use certain potions right as you attack, you'll often activate a potion and it will run out before you've even had a proper opportunity to use it which I think is a nuisance to say the least.
Anyway, I still hope someone might release a somewhat balanced mod that changes this some time down the line.

That's why you only use them when you need them during the fight. Also if you specialise in alchemy like I did, then you can make most potions last up to 2 minutes which is more than enough for most fights. Otherwise you just use another shot of the potion. Also finding potion upgrades helps a lot.

 

[Solid_Altair]

Are you sure that ALL of your alchemy-related stuff wasn't short of any charges or something?

Yup. Pretty sure.

Is anyone having a problem by which they can't create potions as they have picked up the enhanced version, and in order to create the enhanced version you need the original? There is no way of creating the original as the enhanced schematic has displaced it.

Some help would be appreciated,

Thanks

I think I was able to get the enhanced schematic first, then I got the normal schematic, crafted
it and the enhanced version became actually available. However, I dunno what happens if the you already have the normal formula, but not have crafted it, then you get the enhanced formula. I guess this is what may cause the bug.

And I actually ran accross a different bug. I bought the enhanced northen wind formula and it simply didn't appear on my alchemy menu. And I think the alchemist doesn't even have the item to sell anymore. It just disapeared. I hope another alchemist will sell it, too, or I won't be able to upgrade it at all. It's not just the loss of the enhanced version, but also of the superior version, which prolly requires you to have the enhanced version first.

 

[kindaichi83]

Unfortunately I believe it is a bug as I have created the original Swallow and it is now nowhere to be seen and only the enhanced version is there, it's been replaced. Unless that only happens to potions you have already created. It's a real shame and stopping me from playing at the moment.

Thanks for your help though!

yes, i do not think it is a bug, but more so it is intended that way? i no longer have the normal cat after i brew the enhanced version.

not that it really matters i think. they get automatically replenish with just 1 alcohol. u do not need the rarer ingredients for the enhanced version so it is not difficult to rebrew. but u cannot get back the normal. i think the developers think that since u only need 1 alcohol to rebrew the potions, it make no sense u want back the weaker version.

 

[Aaron868]

OMG I'm such a noob!!!

I had no clue that your potions refilled during meditation. I thought it was just a one time use and you would have to make another. In my defense, the only rpg I have ever played before was Skyrim. I'm actually pretty new to video games in general. Is their anything else I should know about these potions and oils?
Thanks in advance

 

[Madoga]

I've been playing RPG's since the middle 1990's and I had the same thing , so don't worry about it.

Don't think there is anything else you should know, the rest is pretty straight forward.

 

[GlGAHEART]

I wonder if Alcohest or whatever refills too, which refills your potions, because if it does, what refills Alcohest?

 

[Gazzaho]

All potions, bombs and oils refill if you have the ingredients from what I can tell.

 

[BlackWolf500.298]

I think most of my fears regarding the system turned out true unfortunately. On the bright side I guess you don't need to worry about having to gather so many ingredients, but the problem is that the timer for the potions are so short. Unless you use certain potions right as you attack, you'll often activate a potion and it will run out before you've even had a proper opportunity to use it which I think is a nuisance to say the least.
Anyway, I still hope someone might release a somewhat balanced mod that changes this some time down the line.

Totally agree.
They could have made them a LITTLE bit longer.

I mean for Swallow it doesn't matter but Tawny Owl, Cat or similar potions are just too short in duration...

 

[Isi23_23]

I really love new alchemy system, it is much better than in previous games. Wasting time on collecting herbs in game of this size will be terrible. Now I really could use all availaible potion and oils each combat without fear of runing out ingredient. It is much more satisfying to play alchemyst and be actually able to use your abilities. And it is prerfectly fine that potion last short period, you should rely on them only if specialize.. And I'm little lost why this is problem with Cat, 9 minutes is plenty of time to explore dungeon and if you run out, you simply meditate. It will just cost you little more resurces and booze is plentifull, just plunder few bandint camps, you should be set.

 

[ZeroZero30]

So I was able to experiment a bit regarding the issue @Waratah brought up.

Got hold of the schematic for the basic Dancing Star bomb and the schematic for the enhanced Dancing Star bomb with both schematics visible and selectable on the list.

1. Crafted a (or rather 2) basic Dancing Star bombs
2. An entry stating that I now have basic Dancing Star bombs is added as a subtitle to the basic schematic on the list
3. Crafted 3 enhanced Dancing Star bombs using the 2 basic Dancing Star bombs
4. An entry stating that I now have enhanced Dancing Star bombs is added as a subtitle to the enhanced schematic on the list AND in the same moment the basic schematic is hidden, giving the impression that the enhanced schematic has replaced the basic one
5. Dropped the enhanced Dancing Star bombs I had just created
6. The schematic for the basic Dancing Star bomb is visible and selectable again, along with the enhanced one

Hence I think it's just an oversight on CDPR's end to not let all schematics, no matter if basic, enhanced or superior be visible on the list all the time.

 

[whitelion1284]

Does anyone use Decoctions?

I have something like 10-15 different decoctions at this point and because of the high toxicity I never use them. So I was wondering if anyone does. If so, which ones and in what situations?

 

[Eesti]

i used them sometimes just to get that extra damage to put me in advantage because i'd get oneshotted anyways because the enemy would just tear me apart in 1 hit so, i used quen and the decotion, even if i started losing health i didnt care that much even being full hp would'nt have helped
they are useful if you're too low level for the mob
they are totally pointless in endgame (if they add ng+ you will probably get to use some sometimes)