Of the many classes taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, one of the most mysterious and foreboding is Potions. Taught by the sneering Slytherin Severus Snape, potions is notorious for pushing even brilliant students like Hermione Granger to the limits of their knowledge and ability.
Harry Potter is not the only franchise to lay claim to talented witches, wizards, and alchemists, however. Gaming is rife with teachers who could substitute for Snape in teaching potions, and some could perhaps even teach the Half-Blood Prince a thing or two. Here are some of the most talented and ingenious potion makers in gaming.
8 Dr. Jake Higgins – Green Hell
It might seem strange to include the protagonist of a hardcore survival game in a list of teachers capable of teaching Potions at Hogwarts, but Dr. Jake Higgins has proved himself capable of surviving in the Amazon jungle with little more than his wits and a smattering of exotic berries.
Given that Green Hell is widely considered one of the most difficult survival games around, Jake's ability to survive such favorable conditions by meticulously cataloging, collecting, mixing, and applying herbs into various life-saving concoctions is a testament to his ability as a master mixer. Having a Muggle as Potions Master might not be conventional, but if any of them are up to the task, it's Dr. Jake Higgins.
7 The Dragonborn – Skyrim
On the opposite end of the scale from a Muggle like Dr. Higgins is the Dragonborn from Skyrim. The Elder Scrolls franchise is rife with legendary characters, proclaimed by prophecy to be saviors of the world, preventing one apocalyptic calamity or another. Even amongst that rich tapestry of rivals, the Dragonborn stands out.
It's more than the Dragonborn's ability to master Dragon Shouts that makes them legendary. The Dragonborn is also a brilliant potion maker and alchemist, capable of blending together all manner of magical ingredients to create a variety of strange and powerful concoctions. From poisoning enemies to fortifying the Dragonborn's own strength and magicka, the potions crafted by the Dragonborn demonstrate the hero's expertise in the craft.
6 Arabella Thornheart – Alchemy Story
Like a weird hybrid of Harvest Moon and Harry Potter, Alchemy Story combines farming and magic into one adorable blend. Arabella Thornheart is the only apprentice alchemist in a town where the villagers have all been turned into animals by a curse, but that doesn't stop her from practicing her witchy ways until she is an uncontestable expert.
Arabella's potions might indeed be on the cuter, more conventional side than some of the nastier mixes brewed in Snape's Potions class, but everyday potions play a huge role in the world of Harry Potter, and it's these in which Arabella specializes, making her something of the people's alchemist.
5 Klein – Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
In many ways a classic JRPG, Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana includes a variety of intricate and interesting systems for players to sink their teeth into. One of the best is the game's alchemy system, allowing the player to explore the world, discover and collect new ingredients, and brew those ingredients together to create marvelous potions.
Bulbs, bombs, geodes, and elixirs are only some of the things that Klein synthesizes on his journey. Klein's ingenuity in crafting is only surpassed by his willingness to travel to dangerous places and battle even more dangerous monsters in the name of gathering exactly the right ingredient for his inventions, and that dedication to his craft alone would make him an excellent choice for the new Potions Master.
4 The Director – Spellcaster University
The Director of Spellcaster University functions much like the Headmaster of Hogwarts: choosing the right teachers for the right classes, maintaining the highest level of magical instruction, making sure monsters don't overrun the school, and otherwise ensuring the school doesn't become a disappointment to spellcasters everywhere.
While the Director might seem like an unusual choice for the role of Potions Master, given that they are a jack-of-all-trades spellcaster rather than a potions specialist, to succeed as a Director demands broad knowledge of spellwork, a high level of skill, and the ability to manage a variety of nuanced problems at once, all of which are critical abilities for anyone hoping to fill Snape's shoes.
3 Cat – Potion Paws
There is, surprisingly, precedent for the teacher of a class at Hogwarts being a cat, as Harry and Ron discovered upon first stepping into Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class. To be fair, Minerva McGonagall is an Animagus, only spending part of her time as a tabby, but that shouldn't rule out a teacher who is constantly a cat.
That conclusion leads to the cat from Potion Paws: a blushing, anthropomorphic chibi cat who doesn't let having paws stop it from becoming an expert at brewing potions. Whether tending its garden, selling excess potions to merchants, brewing or hunting for ingredients, the cat is well-versed in all aspects of potion-making. If its case for being the new Potions Master were not already strong enough, the cat would also be the most adorable teacher in Hogwarts history.
2 Witch – Wytchwood
The witch from Wytchwood almost seems designed to mock the trend of adorable, heart-warming witches. While her appearance may be foreboding, her world is anything but, a gothic fairytale that makes potion-brewing a cozy affair. Being the old witch of the woods comes with its share of responsibilities, however.
There is always someone, or something, who needs help after all, and the witch with her pile of potions is just the enchanting figure to lend a hand. Her personality would certainly be a departure from the snide comments and Slytherin favoritism of Snape, but students of Hogwarts' other three houses would probably say that's for the best.
1 Witch – Potion Craft
The protagonist of a game with the name Potion Craft had better be incredible at crafting potions. Thankfully, she is. Experimentation with herbs and fungi allows the witch to learn new recipes and fill in the blanks of her alchemical map, advancing from novice craftsperson to master of all things brewing.
On top of her alchemical expertise, the witch is also business savvy and charming, qualities that allow her to strike good deals with the merchants buying her wares but would serve her just as well dealing with a gaggle of pig-headed First Years. With her warmth, intelligence, and expert knowledge, even the dungeons of Hogwarts might be bearable.