Personally, I've always stayed far away from Alchemy in any Elder Scrolls games. Recently I started wondering about why, and I believe it's because of the complexity of it. I enjoyed Alchemy in a game such as Minecraft, for example, where there are only maybe 12 ingredients and 15 or so potions, and no multiple effects. I could probably handle a bit more complexity than that though.
Something about playing Skyrim and looking at the tons (for me) of ingredients and multi-effect potions just makes me want to run screaming away from Alchemy, and in older ES games as well. I've read that in Morrowind/Oblivion you can get up to 5 effects per potion. This has lead me to use magic quite a bit more, and nowadays I never play a character without at least one magic school.
Another turnoff of Alchemy for me is that often I will simply forget to drink the potions. Or, I'll feel like they are too special, and worry that I won't find ingredients to make enough of them, so I never end up using them. But since I've barely used it, this could be a problem I'm just imagining. Forgetting to drink potions is also likely because I'm not used to Alchemy, though I sometimes use Enchanting as a substitute, for nice passive bonuses.
So, how do you feel about Alchemy? Do you love the power and utility it can give you, or hate having to constantly open your menu for a temporary buff? But this discussion isn't just about Skyrim, so go ahead and talk about other ES games too.
Just love it. Both Oblivion and Skyrim Alchemy.
Of all crafting skills in Skyrim, it is by far my favourite. While Enchanting and Smithing gives you permanent bonuses, Alchemy ones are much more stronger and there is something really appealing about having limited number of these enhancers. You just to know when to use what, but you shouldn´t be afraid to use them.
Best way to get the feel of Alchemy is to have character that relies solely on in. That is the right kick in the head.
I'm only familiar with Skyrim's alchemy system, but I quite enjoy it. It's my favorite crafting skill and usually shows up in most of my playthroughs. I think what I enjoy so much is the resource management. I limit myself to carrying ten potions at once, and I find it fun collecting the ingredients to make potions for various situations, then finding the right balance between buffs, debuffs, and stat restoration.
Love it, never played a build without it yet. It gets you out there in the world like no other skill, The skill can be devastating in the right hands, for example fire damage, Adept skill, plus Aug fire 2/2, add a fortify desto potion to yourself, weakness to fire on your weapon, stir in a little Necromage for our undead and Vampric friends and you have a pretty big bang, there is just so much you can do with it, decrease shout time, increase the duration and magnitude of some shouts, and all spells. Use it to fortify your offence and defence, its a wonderful skill and would be of benefit to almost any Build
You know, Alchemy is one of those things in Skyrim that I've always felt I've never explored properly. Quite often I've started a character with every intention of really focussing on Alchemy. I start collecting ingredients and even make a few rudimentary potions, but somehow other gameplay elements come to the fore and I end up just forgetting all about it!
Is there a really well-thought through, and heavy roleplay based, Alchemy character in CB? You know, something that makes it essential that Alchemy is taken seriously throughout a play though, so you couldn't just put it to one aside and still survive lol
I know this really should be in CB Recommendations but humour me this once, since the topic has been broached here
My Hermit , Paul. You won´t find more interesting roleplay for Alchemist.
It was my first character that full delved into Alchemy and reason why I love it so much now.
Alchemy is one of he most complicated skill tree in the game IMO. Its hard to explore and simplify. The biggest cause to this is the skill tree for it and its STEEP requirements to be able to bring out a potions full potential. At least for TESV anyway.
I just maxed out the tree about a month ago and If I can impart any advice to anyone trying to get into alchemy for this game it would be,
A. ) Know what you want ahead of time for your characters needs. Are you into poisons ( Like me ) or into potions or want both?
B.) What do you want your potion/poison to do?
C.) Pick several ingredients ( Ingredients that have the effect you're looking for First or Second to be revealed ) If you are a console player. This rule should be a essential, to reveal the rest of those ingredients, you will be at that table for a long time!!!
D.) Make sure you have a good supply of them.
E.) Lastly, Make sure you have enchanted gear that strengthens you result to the fullest. The better the effect, the value, the faster you will level up!
F.) Save of course and have at it!
I can go on for awhile about this as I have made several of written walkthroughs for myself and friends about how alchemy works. And it does work! Its all about perseverance!
This is my alchemy guide if anyone's still looking for help on it...
Alchemy L 15 - 60 within the first hour or so of play...
I'm of two minds about Alchemy.
1) I love collecting/growing materials. Hearthfire makes it so much easier and fun with the storage and growing options. And I love having the end result. I feel like it can benefit any character because you don't have to sink perk points into it to be able to make decent potions, poisons, etc.
2) On the other hand, it's the only crafting skill that actually feels like a grind to me. I always put it off because of this and will then just empty every (neatly organized) barrel and satchel and do it in one swoop. Maybe its because unlocking and learning potions requires more time investment than just disenchanting weaponry or (even easier) just using a perk point to learn something new.