The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt isn't just a huge game, it's an incredibly deep game. There are so many different systems and mechanics for players to wrap their heads around... not all of which are explained very well. Understanding spells and swords is easy enough, but it can quickly become confusing once you really delve into the game's crafting mechanics.
When it comes to The Witcher's version of alchemy, there's a lot to learn — and the game unfortunately takes a lot of time teaching players how the system works. In the early hours of the game, players are basically given a giant list of ingredients and components with no real idea of how to use them.
So, for those of you who are stuck wondering what to do with all those flower petals, this guide is for you — we'll go over the basics of alchemy, what it does and when to use it. Once you have the foundation down, it'll be easy to see just how much more powerful Geralt can be...
Why Use Alchemy?
At first, it may seem like alchemy isn't all that necessary. Geralt's a pretty powerful guy with just a sword and spells — so why bother with a confusing system that requires picking tons and tons of flowers?
Well, with the right potions and oils, Geralt can easily decimate entire crowds of enemies with just a couple attacks. Knowing when to use a particular concoction can turn the tide of battle in an instant. Using a bomb at just the precise moment – or starting a fight with the proper decoction – can make a seemingly impossible battle an absolute breeze. Plus, for those who are playing through on higher difficulties, alchemy is a necessity.
How to Use Alchemy
Alchemy can produce some truly powerful items, but potions are the most useful concoctions players can create. Again, if you've ever used something similar in another game, you'll be familiar with how potions work. Of course, it's not just about standard healing and magic regeneration. Geralt can craft potions that allow for night vision, that extend breath underwater or slow enemies' movement to a crawl.
The best part about The Witcher 3's potions - and all other alchemy creations - is that restocking is far easier. Instead of hunting down materials every single time you want a dose of Swallow, Geralt only needs to craft the items once. After that, simply meditating with some alcohol in Geralt's inventory will allow for a full refill — basically, as long as Geralt's got some booze on him, you'll have access to all of your alchemy concoctions. Because of this, using alchemy is far easier and more streamlined than any other Witcher game...which is definitely a good thing, as alchemy can have a huge impact on how you play the game.
Yes, alchemy in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can be confusing — especially if you're still new to the game. It will ask for materials you don't have and ask for recipes that you've yet to discover. In spite of all this, it's important to stick with it: alchemy is a powerful ally indeed, and learning to take advantage of the system can make playing through the game a much, much smoother experience.
If you've just started the game and need a few pointers, don't forget to check out our Beginner's Guide for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt!
Related: Heroes of the Storm Beginner's Guide
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