One of the most important tools in a witcher's arsenal is alchemy. With the right ingredients, a knowledge of some recipes, and a witcher's unique resistance to strong alchemical brews, Geralt can produce some powerful Potions with many different effects. Some of these Potions will increase his abilities in combat, some will affect exploration, and some can even help reset a player's build.

This guide will go over every Potion that Geralt can make, from early-game combat boosters to late-game ability point Potions. Each Potion will be explained, with its ingredients, Toxicity, duration, and more all laid out in clear language for the aspiring Witcher.

In early 2023, the Witcher 3 received a next-gen update, Patch 4.0. This new upgraded version of the game affected many parts of it, including Potions. Where changes were made, we have made notes, so anyone reading this guide can immediately see the difference in a Potion's qualities if they're playing pre- or post-Patch 4.0.

Standard Potions

The first section of this guide (and the bulk of it) will focus on the standard Potions that Geralt can brew. The section following will outline other Potions that function a little differently, like monster pheromones and Potions of Restoration and Clearance.

Most of these potions (with the exception of Killer Whale) come in three levels: standard, Enhanced, and Superior. As the levels grow higher, the Potion may grant new abilities, increase the power of existing ones, or simply have longer duration or more uses. Higher-level Potions always require lower-level Potions to unlock. That is, an Enhanced Potion requires the standard formula, and Superior requires the Enhanced version.

Black Blood

This Potion is a great one to have on hand for the many Vampire-based contracts Geralt can take on. When it's consumed, it'll cause Geralt's blood to deal damage to Vampire- and Necrophage-class enemies when they wound him. After being upgraded to the Superior level, Geralt will cause these enemies to bleed simply by being near them!

Here's the list of ingredients to craft each level:

Blizzard

Fighting too many enemies at once, like a pack of Nekkers or a group of bandits? This Potion could surely help. After consumption, time will slow, allowing the player to focus and dish out damage with more precise hits, calming down the frenzy of combat for a moment.

To craft this Potion, here's the list of required ingredients:

Cat

This Potion is great for those who like to explore at night or underground, including in caves. After consuming it, the darkness will no longer be a problem, as Geralt will have fantastic night vision. This is really great for finding those hidden chests in caves.

Starting in the next-gen version of the game, this Potion also increases Geralt's chance of landing critical hits, which is a nice bonus.

Here's what's needed:

Full Moon

Though the Enhanced and Superior versions were nerfed in Patch 4.0, Full Moon is still an amazing Potion when going up against monsters that can dish out a ton of damage. After consuming it, Geralt's maximum Vitality will increase by a substantial amount for a short time. The Superior version will even heal him equal to his current Toxicity level, meaning it should definitely be consumed last of all the Potions he uses to prepare for a tough fight.

Here are Full Moon's ingredients at each level:

Golden Oriole

When fighting Insectoid-class enemies, their poisonous attacks can be extremely irritating. Luckily, there's a Potion for that. Golden Oriole not only makes Geralt immune to poison, but it neutralizes any poison currently in his system. At the Superior level, it even makes poison heal him instead, meaning these annoying enemies will be granting him Vitality as he takes them down.

Additionally, Golden Oriole also makes Geralt immune to noxious gas in the area, like during the Wandering in the Dark quest with Keira Metz or in the many swamps of Velen.

To make it, here's what Geralt will need:

Killer Whale

This is the only one of the main set of witcher Potions that has no Enhanced or Superior version, coming only in a standard quality. Killer Whale is an exploration Potion rather than a combat one, granting Geralt much better sight when underwater. Additionally, it'll make him capable of holding his breath longer, by a full 50% of his base breath supply.

Nicely, it has a pretty decent three-minute duration, meaning most swimming sections of caves and other areas will be much easier.

There's only one level of Killer Whale, and here's what it takes:

Maribor Forest

Adrenaline Point generation can make or break a fight, and many people even build their entire character around them. At their core, they increase Geralt's weapon attack power, but when certain skills are chosen, they can cause many other useful effects.

Whether you do focus on building Adrenaline Point skills or not, this Potion can be extremely helpful in turning the tides of a tough battle, as it makes Geralt regenerate Adrenaline Points much faster and, at the Superior quality, even gives him an entire Adrenaline Point when consumed.

Here's how to make it:

Petri's Philter

Those opting for a more Sign-focused build will do well to keep Petri's Philter in rotation. This Potion increases the intensity of Geralt's Signs, which can be overpowered in the right situation.

To make this Potion, this is which ingredients are needed:

Swallow

Swallow is likely one of the earliest Potions many players will craft. It's even used in one of the first quests in the game, On Death's Bed, given by the herbalist Tomira.

Standard and Enhanced Swallow will make Geralt's Vitality regenerate faster until he takes damage, while Superior Swallow does not pause on taking damage.

Before Patch 4.0, the regeneration rate is higher out of combat, but from Patch 4.0 onward, it's the same both in and out of combat.

Here's how to make it for both Geralt and to help save Lena:

Tawny Owl

Similar to Swallow, Tawny Owl affects Geralt's regeneration rates. This time, though, the Potion will increase his Stamina regeneration — and only when he's in combat.

As an added bonus, Superior Tawny Owl does not have a set duration at night — so if you like fighting with methods that use Stamina (Signs, blocking, etc), opt to fight tougher enemies at night with the use of some Tawny Owl.

Thunderbolt

The main effect of the Thunderbolt Potion is extremely straightforward: it increases Geralt's attack power. However, while Enhanced Thunderbolt only increases the duration and doses, Superior Thunderbolt also grants a whopping 100% critical hit chance if it's storming out!

Here are the ingredients of the Thunderbolt Potion:

White Honey

White Honey is kind of an eraser. What it does is erase all the current active effects of other Potions and Decoctions. It also drops Geralt's Toxicity back to zero. That's quite the Potion!

This Potion is great in a pinch. For example, if Geralt has consumed a few Potions whose durations have worn off, but his Toxicity is still high, he won't be able to consume more. This will reset his Toxicity, allowing him to imbibe more.

Additionally, it'll clear out active Potion effects that might be interfering with what the player needs to do. Cat is great for granting night vision, but it makes the daylight extremely bright, so White Honey could remove the effects of Cat to spare poor Geralt's eyes.

White Raffard's Decoction

Despite the name, White Raffard's Decoction is a regular Potion, not a Decoction. It's one of the most useful Potions, as well as the only one that changes in New Game +.

White Raffard's Decoction will restore a big chunk of Geralt's Vitality immediately. This is great in an emergency, being basically the fastest way to restore this much Vitality.

Additionally, with Superior White Raffard's Decoction, Geralt will be invincible for a few seconds after consuming it.

Here's what he needs to brew this Potion:

Other Potions

These items are technically Potions, but they don't function or count as such in the sense of the standard set of witcher Potions. However, let's take a look at them, what they do, how to make them, and any other relevant information.

Drowner Pheromones

This Potion, which only requires a few common ingredients to craft, will stop Drowners from attacking Geralt for 90s. Similar enemies, like Drowned Dead or Mucknixers, are not affected by this Potion, unfortunately.

There are two things to avoid when using this Potion: getting wet, and attacking Drowners. By entering any type of water, even a puddle, the Potion's effects will wash off of Geralt. Similarly, attacking a Drowner will reveal that Geralt is an imposter among their ranks and they'll become hostile.

There are two ways to come across the recipe for this Potion: purchase it from the herbalist in Kaer Trolde Harbor, or obtain it during the Muire D'yaeblen contract. While several Potions in this section are only used during quests, this one can be crafted and used outside of the quest in which it can be obtained.

Wolven Hour

There is only one copy of this Potion in the game — more cannot be made, purchased, or obtained in any legitimate way. The player starts the game with it in their inventory.

After consuming this item, the level requirement of all equipment is dropped by two for a full hour. This can help with a fight where Geralt needs that slight edge.

Potion of Clearance

This Potion is pretty straightforward. When it's consumed, all of Geralt's spent Skill Points will be returned, removing any Skills he's purchased or upgraded with them. It's basically a Skill tree reset. It has no Toxicity, cannot be crafted (only purchased), and no duration due to its nature.

The only way to obtain this Potion in the base game is to purchase it from any of the following vendors (it always costs 1,000 crowns):

• Keira Metz
• The Gildorf district Merchant in Novigrad
• Yolar or Gremist at Gedyneith
• The Perfumery merchant in Hauteville*
• The Castel Ravello Herbalist*
• The Wine Merchant at the Dun Tynne Hillside by Dun Tynne Castle*
• The Beauclair Herb Store Herbalist*
• The Coronata Vineyard Herbalist after being rescued*

*Those marked with an asterisk are only available with the Blood & Wine expansion

In New Game +, the player starts with a Potion of Clearance in their inventory. Additionally, in this game mode, Potions of Clearance can be looted from chests, but it's extremely rare.

Potion of Restoration

This Potion is similar to the Potion of Clearance, restoring all of the ability points that Geralt has spent on Mutations. However, it does not return the mutagens that were used. As such, like the Mutations system, it's only available to players with the Blood & Wine expansion.

Like the Potion of Clearance, it can only be purchased, has no duration or Toxicity, and cannot be crafted. It costs 1,000 crowns and is sold by these merchants:

• The Perfumery merchant in Hauteville*
• The Castel Ravello Herbalist*
• The Wine Merchant at the Dun Tynne Hillside by Dun Tynne Castle*
• The Beauclair Herb Store Herbalist*
• The Coronata Vineyard Herbalist after being rescued*

*Of course, all of these merchants are only available in the Blood & Wine expansion.

Reinald's Philter (not available before patch 4.0/next-gen update)

This Potion is only available to those playing on Patch 4.0 or higher. Unfortunately, despite its great effects, it's only consumable once — during the quest In The Eternal Fire's Shadow.

The ingredients needed to craft it for the quest are as follows:

The Decoctions of the Grasses

Like Reinald's Philter, this Potion is only available during a quest, called Va Fail, Elaine. Unlike that Potion, though, this one is not consumed by Geralt, and as such, has no set duration, Toxicity, or effects. Instead, this Potion will be given to Uma.

Here's what's needed to craft it:

• Forktail Spinal Fluid*
• Manticore Poison Gland*
• Albino Bruxa Tongue*
• Bryonia
• Mandrake
• Ribleaf

*The first three ingredients are found during this quest, rather than obtained in the wild from loot or monsters. The quest To Bait a Forktail... rewards Forktail Spinal Fluid, but this copy of the item is not used in the Potion for some reason.

Pops' Mold Antidote

The final Potion on this list is, once again, only used in a quest. However, it can be used outside of the quest, if one so desires, though there is not much of a point.

This Potion is crafted during the quest Count Reuven's Treasure, and it allows Geralt to pass through the noxious gas made by the Pops' Mold.

*The Toxicity of Pop's Mold Antidote is randomly rolled when crafted, ranging from 25 to 30. Dropping the entire stack of the Potion and crafting it again can change the Toxicity.