Aside from standard Witcher potions, Geralt can also use a variety of decoctions in The Witcher 3. These decoctions are made using mutagens from various monsters, and they all have interesting and different effects. Some of these decoctions are considered top-tier and extremely useful, while others aren't as great, but might be useful to certain builds or situations.

Each of these decoctions requires the crafting diagram, which can be found in various places, before they can be brewed. Like other potions, alcohol will be used to refill the decoctions when Geralt meditates, and they can be added to the quick-use menu for ease of access.

For those interested in making some or all of these decoctions, this guide will outline what they do, their ingredients, and where to find the recipes for them.

Decoctions Recipe Sources

While some decoctions, like Ekhidna, have recipes with guaranteed sources, some of the others can be difficult to find. Typically, the recipe diagrams for decoctions can be found in various chests, purchased from some alchemists and other vendors, or purchased from the herbalists that spawn after clearing an Abandoned Site. However, many people report some variations in where they find each recipe compared to other people, so your mileage may vary.

We've marked the guaranteed recipes, which are all available from reading certain books. However, make sure to loot chests and other items whenever possible, because decoction recipes might be hiding inside. Some chests that are known to have high chances of rewarding decoction diagrams include:

• The hidden chest near the Allgod
• The chests near the elven ruins by Byways
• In the courtyard near Triss' first apartment in Novigrad

Also be sure to check the stock of shops run by herbalists and alchemists, as they will often have decoction recipes, as well as the ingredients to make some decoctions. Some reliable herbalists that have stock for sale are as follows:

• Tomira, in White Orchard
• An Herbalist by the roadside shrine near the White Orchard abandoned Village
• Velen Herbalists in the following places:
  • Olena's Grove
  • The Refugees' Camp
  • Outside the Cunny of the Goose
  • In the liberated village near Hangman's Alley, on the coast
  • In the liberated camp near Lurtch
  • In Barrengath, an Abandoned Site southwest of Bowdon, after the site is cleared (Hearts of Stone)
  • Across the river from Heddel, an Abandoned Site near Est Tayiar, after being liberated (Hearts of Stone)
  • Otto Bamber, in the Herbalist's Hut near Oxenfurt

• Herbalists in or near Novigrad, in these locations:
  • Hierarch Square
  • Glory Lane
  • Master Tropical, after being rescued, at his hut near Draken Hollow (Hearts of Stone)

• Herbalists found around Skellige, in these locations:
  • The Ruined Inn
  • Kaer Trolde Village
  • Kvalheim Isle after being saved from bandits
  • The Druids' Camp

• Pinastri in her Hermitage in Toussaint (Blood & Wine expansion required)
• Other herbalists in Toussaint, if the Blood & Wine DLC is purchased, at these locations:
  • Castel Ravello
  • Beauclair's Herb Store
  • Hortense Vineyard
  • Coronata, after being rescued from bandits

Alghoul Decoction

	Alghoul Decoction
Effects	Adrenaline Points are generated more quickly than normal until the first successful enemy attack. Adrenaline generation +50%
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Buckthorn 1x Alghoul Bone Marrow 5x Lesser Red Mutagen

Recipe source: Read the book Ghouls and Alghouls, sold by the Novigrad book seller

This decoction recipe is one of the easiest to obtain because it only requires reading a book. After consuming it, Geralt will generate Adrenaline Points 50% faster until an enemy lands a blow on him. This can be a great way to use special moves and perform other techniques in battle much quicker.

Unlike most decoctions, this one does not require the specific mutagen of the monster for which it is named. Instead, only five Lesser Red Mutagens are needed. However, Alghoul Bone Marrow is still needed, which is, luckily, pretty easy to obtain, as Alghouls are fairly common.

Ancient Leshen Decoction

	Ancient Leshen Decoction
Effects	Each Sign cast increases Stamina regen for the remainder of the fight. Stamina generation +2
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Mandrake Root 1x Ginatia Petals 1x Honeysuckle 1x Ancient Leshen Mutagen

This decoction might be hard to craft if the player is too low-leveled, as it requires a mutagen from an Ancient Leshen, and they are far from easy to defeat. However, players that build Geralt as a sign-caster can find a lot of use in this brew, as it increases how fast is Stamina regenerates after casting Signs, thereby allowing him to cast them more frequently.

Unfortunately, this decoction is bugged and doesn't work properly on older builds of the game. Rather than increasing Stamina regen by +2 after each sign cast, it provides +5 Stamina regen after casting only Axii. However, it does work with alternate Signs that are unlocked through the skill tree, except for Yrden.

In the next-gen update for The Witcher 3 (patch 4.0), the bug is fixed and the Ancient Leshen Decoction works as stated.

Arachas Decoction

	Arachas Decoction
Effects	Reduces damage received based on armor and inventory weight. Less weight carried and lighter armor means less damage is taken.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x White Myrtle Petals 1x Arachas Mutagen

Players who tend to travel with a light inventory or wear heavy armor sets will get the most use out of this decoction. After consuming it, Geralt takes less damage for the more empty space in his pack. This number scales with the ratio of filled-to-empty inventory weight, up to a maximum damage resistance increase of +20%. For example, if the player is carrying 50/100 (50% of their inventory is empty), they'll receive 50% of the 20% bonus, meaning a total of +10% damage resistance increase overall. If they are carrying 10/50, that means 80% of their inventory is empty, so they'll receive 80% of the 20% max bonus, or +16% damage resistance increase.

On the flipside, it seems that more armor weight adds more damage resistance, despite the description stating that lighter armor will mean more damage resistance. Light armor offers a 20% damage resistance increase, medium armor offers 33%, and heavy armor offers 50%.

Archgriffin Decoction

	Archgriffin Decoction
Effects	If any Stamina is available, strong strikes will consume all of it and reduce the struck foe's Vitality by 5%, after normal damage calculation.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Ribleaf 1x Blowball 1x Archgriffin Mutagen

This decoction can be a great one for those who like to use strong attacks, but only if they generate enough Stamina to make it worthwhile. After consuming this brew, strong attacks will deplete the enemy's Vitality by 5% of their current total. However, it consumes all available Stamina. If used against enemies with a lot of health, though, like bosses, it can be extremely useful.

This decoction is very effective when paired with the Ekhidna Decoction, which restores Geralt's Vitality when he performs Stamina-consuming actions. Since the Stamina he has is used up when the Archgriffin Decoction is applied, he'll be dealing a ton of damage while restoring his own health, all at once.

Basilisk Decoction

	Basilisk Decoction
Effects	Buffs a randomly-selected Sign at dusk and dawn for six hours.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Blowball 1x Beggartick Blossoms 1x Fool's Parsley Leaves 1x Basilisk Mutagen

Do a lot of fighting in the wee hours of the morning or night? This decoction might help with that. Just before the sun rises and just after it sets, this decoction will buff a randomly-selected Sign from Geralt's arsenal.

In the Witcher 3, this translates to 6am to 12pm (dawn) and 6pm to 12am (dusk). Unlike other decoctions, this one lasts a very long time, totaling six hours of effect. It also causes less Toxicity, at 40 points. It's worth noting that it won't work if drank at 6:00, so be sure to drink it at 5:59.

Chort Decoction

	Chort Decoction
Effects	Provides complete resistance to the Stagger effect and reduces Knock-down to Stagger.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Puffball 1x Cortinarius 1x Chort Mutagen

Hate getting knocked down or staggered by enemies, especially large ones? This decoction provides resistance to those effects, helping Geralt stay on his feet longer. The Chort decoction reduces the full Knock-down effect to a simple Stagger, and eliminates Stagger altogether.

Cockatrice Decoction

	Cockatrice Decoction
Effects	All alchemy creations can be used one additional time.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Cockatrice Mutagen 1x Crow's Eye

Recipe source: Read the book Remarks on Basilisks and Cockatrices.

The effects of this decoction are incredibly simple: when ingested, all alchemical creations (potions, decoctions, bombs) can be used an additional time. Just be sure to keep an eye on Geralt's Toxicity level.

Doppler Decoction

	Doppler Decoction
Effects	Increases the damage of critical hits when attacking foes from behind.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Han Fiber 1x Longrube 1x Doppler Mutagen

This decoction is also straightforward when it comes to effects: hitting an enemy from behind increases the chance of the blow being a critical hit.

However, obtaining the ingredients for this decoction can be extremely difficult, and if not collected at the right time, literally impossible. Geralt has only one single chance to get his hands on a Doppler Mutagen — in the quest An Elusive Thief. However, if he chooses to show mercy and not kill the Doppler, he'll be locked out of ever acquiring the mutagen through gameplay, making this decoction impossible to brew. Those with access to console commands can, of course, obtain the mutagen via these means.

Earth Elemental Decoction

	Earth Elemental Decoction
Effects	Increases resistance to Vitality-depleting critical effects applied during combat. The resistance level is 10% from start to end, though the in-game description states that it rises the longer the critical effect is applied.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Balisse Fruit 1x Pringrape 1x Earth Elemental Mutagen

While this decoction's description states that the resistance to Vitality-depleting effects increases over time, it doesn't do this. In actuality, it offers a 10% reduction to these effects from start to end. However, this is still very useful.

Ekhidna Decoction

	Ekhidna Decoction
Effects	Performing Stamina-consuming actions restores Vitality. Amount is 10% of max Vitality.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Ribleaf 1x Berbercane Fruit 1x Ekhidna Mutagen

Recipe source: Read the book Journey to the End of the World.

This is one of the most popular decoctions in the game, and for good reason. After imbibing this potion, Geralt will recover some Vitality whenever he performs an action that consumes Stamina.

While this decoction does not work in conjunction with Whirl, the skill tree upgrade, it does pair extremely well with the Archgriffin Decoction, which causes Geralt's strong attacks to be very powerful. With the two paired together, strong attacks will do massive damage while also healing Geralt.

Ekimmara Decoction

	Ekimmara Decoction
Effects	Damage dealt to foes restores Vitality.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x White Myrtle Petals 1x Mandrake Root 1x Ekimmara Mutagen

This potion fits the monster that it comes from, having a vampiric effect. When this potion is consumed, Geralt will heal Vitality when damaging foes. The damage does not need to be direct sword attacks, and can include depleting effects like Bleeding.

Fiend Decoction

	Fiend Decoction
Effects	Increases the amount of weight Geralt can carry without being overburdened by 20 points.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Hellebore Petals 1x Fool's Parsley Leaves 1x Arenaria 1x Fiend Mutagen

Another straightforward decoction effect is that of the Fiend Decoction. When consumed, this decoction makes Geralt a bit stronger, in that he can carry 20 more points of inventory weight. When the effects of this potion wear off, that extra carry power disappears, so be sure to deposit, sell, or remove items from the inventory if the end of this decoction's effects will cause Geralt to be overburdened.

Foglet Decoction

	Foglet Decoction
Effects	Increases Sign intensity by 25% during cloudy weather.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Fool's Parsley Leaves 1x Blowball 1x Foglet Mutagen

Foglets are monsters that thrive in foggy conditions, so it's perfect that their decoction provides similar effects. After consuming this potion, Geralt will experience a 25% increase in intensity for his Signs during cloudy weather.

Forktail Decoction

	Forktail Decoction
Effects	Combining fast and strong attacks with Signs increases the power of the next attack or intensity of the next Sign cast, both by 50%.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Moleyarrow 1x Bryonia 1x Forktail Mutagen

Players who use a mix of attack types will find some use in this decoction. It increases the power of Signs when combining different attack types. However, it is not triggered exactly as described in-game. Strong and fast attacks are considered the same for triggering this potion, both being seen as sword attacks. However, mixing sword attacks with Signs, counters, bombs, and crossbow shots will trigger the effects of the potion. Three of these need to be used for the effects to kick in.

The effects themselves are also not exactly as described. The Sign intensity boost (which is 50%) typically resets when using a Sign or landing another attack. However, it seems the only Sign that resets the boost is Axii, meaning the other four can be used indefinitely (other than their alternate modes) without resetting the effects. If another attack type is used, though, the boost will still reset.

Grave Hag Decoction

	Grave Hag Decoction
Effects	Each foe Geralt slays accelerates Vitality regen for the rest of the battle by 5 per second (10 per second in the next-gen update).
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Cortinarius 1x Longrube 1x Grave Hag Mutagen

When fighting several foes at once, this decoction becomes very useful. For each foe that Geralt slays, his Vitality regen will increase by five points per second. In the next-gen update, this was increased to 10 points per second. Once the battle ends, the effects reset.

Griffin Decoction

	Griffin Decoction
Effects	Taking damage raises damage resistance for the rest of the fight (specifics listed below).
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Oil1x Bryonia 1x Wolf's Liver 1x Griffin Mutagen

The Griffin Decoction is great for defensive combat. Taking damage from enemies will raise Geralt's resistance to different types of damage by 1% each time, up to a maximum of 25%. The types of damage resistance per hit are as follows:

• 1% Resistance to slashing damage
• 1% Resistance to piercing damage
• 1% Resistance to bludgeoning damage
• 1% Resistance to damage from monsters
• 1% Resistance to elemental damage

Certain other effects, like the Protective Coating skill and some types of armor, will stack with this decoction, creating massive resistance to some damage types and even making Geralt outright immune (for all intents and purposes) to some.

Katakan Decoction

	Katakan Decoction
Effects	Increases critical hit chance by 5% (10% in the next-gen update).
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Verbena 1x Arenaria 1x Katakan Mutagen

This is perhaps the most straightforward decoction in the game. After consuming this potion, Geralt's critical hit chance will increase by 5% (10% in the next-gen update).

Leshen Decoction

	Leshen Decoction
Effects	Some of the damage dealt by enemies is reflected back onto them. Damage reflected (+2%) +10 (up to 10% in the next-gen update).
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Moleyarrow 1x Pringrape 1x Leshen Mutagen

This decoction reflects damage onto enemies when they attack Geralt. Even if he's under the effects of a Quen shield, the damage will still be reflected. Luckily, the amount of damage is consistent with how much the enemy attempts to inflict, so if Geralt resists or nullifies any of it, that doesn't reduce how much is reflected.

Nekker Warrior Decoction

	Nekker Warrior Decoction
Effects	Mounts never panic. Mounted combat damage increased by 50%.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Fool's Parsley Leaves 1x Ranogrin 1x Nekker Warrior Mutagen

Recipe source: Read the book World Underground.

While most decoction recipes can be found as random loot, this one cannot. Instead, it must be purchased or learned by reading World Underground.

After consuming it, Geralt will see a 50% increase in attack power during mounted combat. Additionally, mounts will not panic at the presence of enemies.

Nightwraith Decoction

	Nightwraith Decoction
Effects	Geralt's maximum Vitality increases by 50 points with each killed foe. The increase lasts until he meditates or fast travels.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Mistletoe 1x Sewant Mushrooms 1x Nightwraith Mutagen

If Geralt is fighting against multiple foes at once, this decoction can be extremely useful. When it's consumed, his maximum Vitality will increase by 50 points with each foe he defeats, and will remain that way until he meditates or fast travels.

This decoction can be a great way to get some extra health for a tough fight. Drink it, take on a horde of Nekkers or Drowners, then go fight the boss or tough opponent with a ton of extra Vitality. Be sure not to fast travel or meditate, though!

Noonwraith Decoction

	Noonwraith Decoction
Effects	Significantly reduces the effects of Knockdown, Hypnosis, Stun, and Blindness effects.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Ergot Seeds 1x Ginatia Petals 1x Noonwraith Mutagen

Tired of the extra effects that enemy attacks can inflict on Geralt? This decoction might help with some of them. After consuming the Noonwraith Decoction, Geralt will be much less vulnerable to Knockdown, Hypnosis, Stun, and Blindness. These effects can be extremely annoying in some fights, so this potion is a great one to have in Geralt's back pocket.

Reliever's Decoction

	Reliever's Decoction
Effects	Increases damage dealt against and decreases damage taken from wraiths (specifics listed below).
Ingredients	5x Dwarven Spirit 1x Essence of Wraith 4x Lesser Red Mutagen 4x Lesser Green Mutagen 4x Lesser Blue Mutagen

Despite Relievers not being in the game as an enemy to fight, their relatives are, including Specter-class monsters like Wraiths, Plague Maidens, and others. Standard Wraiths are also the source of the Essence of Wraith used in making this decoction for the first time.

Once consumed, this potion will help against Specter-class monsters both offensively and defensively. Geralt will do more damage against Specters, while receiving some resistance to different types of damage from them, as outlined here:

• +10% Attack power versus Specters
• +15% Resistance to slashing damage
• +15% Resistance to piercing damage
• +15% Resistance to bludgeoning damage
• +15% Resistance to damage from monsters
• +15% Resistance to elemental damage

Additionally, attacking a Specter with this potion active will prevent it from using its abilities for the remainder of the fight, most notably, the ability to turn immaterial.

Succubus Decoction

	Succubus Decoction
Effects	Attack power grows over the course of a fight until reaching a maximum threshold.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Green Mold 1x Allspice 1x Succubus Mutagen

The Succubus Decoction has a similar problem to the Doppler Decoction, in that it can be easy to lock yourself out of ever obtaining it. There are only two chances to obtain the Succubus Mutagen required to craft the decoction, and both are during situations where Geralt can opt to spare the monster. The two quests in which Geralt may obtain a Succubus Mutagen are Practicum in Advanced Alchemy and Deadly Delights.

This potion increases Geralt's attack power by a percentage point at a time, every couple seconds, until the fight ends, up to a maximum of a 30% increase. If you don't like that it caps at 30% (or can't find a Succubus Mutagen), consider the Wyvern Decoction instead.

Troll Decoction

	Troll Decoction
Effects	Regenerate an additional 20 Stamina per second in combat and an additional 100 per second outside of combat.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Crow's Eye 1x Honeysuckle 1x Troll Claw

Another one of the many decoctions that affect Stamina regen is the Troll Decoction. This special brew will increase Stamina regen both in and out of combat. The regen is much faster outside of combat than within it.

Water Hag Decoction

	Water Hag Decoction
Effects	Damage dealt is increased by 50% when Vitality is at its maximum.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Berbercane Fruit 1x Water Hag Mutagen

Players who tend to keep Geralt at high health can find some use in this potion. When Geralt's Vitality is full, he'll do 50% more damage when attacking.

Werewolf Decoction

	Werewolf Decoction
Effects	Original: Running, sprinting, and jumping outside of combat do not use Stamina. In the next-gen update: Increases Stamina regen on clear, moonlit nights, and in combat.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Beggartick Blossoms 1x Hop Umbels 1x Werewolf Mutagen

The Werewolf Decoction went through more changes in the next-gen update than any other. Originally, the Werewolf Decoction would prevent running and jumping from consuming Stamina when outside of combat. Players on a build of the game without the next-gen update can still benefit from this overpowered potion.

However, those with the next-gen update will notice that the Werewolf Decoction has been significantly nerfed. Now, it increases Stamina regeneration in combat and when the moon is out.

Wraith Decoction

	Wraith Decoction
Effects	Whenever a single hit drains more than a third of Geralt's Vitality, a Quen shield automatically activates.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Blowball 1x Nostrix 1x Wraith Mutagen

This decoction works best against enemies that hit hard, like large golems, bosses, and Leshy. It's pretty straightforward: a Quen shield will activate when Geralt is hit by an attack that depletes his Vitality by a third of its maximum. This can ensure that the next blow doesn't devastate him.

Wyvern Decoction

	Wyvern Decoction
Effects	Each blow landed increases attack power by 1% until either the fight ends or damage is taken.
Ingredients	1x Dwarven Spirit 1x Moleyarrow 1x Celandine 1x Wyvern Mutagen

The Wyvern Decoction works similarly to the Succubus Decoction, and the two are often compared. However, there are some important differences between the two.

Whereas the Succubus Decoction increases attack power up to a cap of 30%, the Wyvern Decoction does not seem to have a cap. Additionally, while the Succubus Decoction increases attack power over time, the Wyvern Decoction's effects are triggered by landing hits on enemies. Importantly, the effects of the Wyvern Decoction reset when Geralt is hit by an attack, so this potion is recommended for people who are good at dodging or who use Quen well.

NEXT: The Witcher 3: A Guide To Witcher Gear