The main character and some of her companions preparing for the final battle in Baldur's Gate 3.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Complete Alchemy Guide

Might as well put those ingredients you've looted to good use.

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Carley is a professional JP-EN translator and writer currently based in Des Moines, Iowa. She has written hundreds of articles for popular sites such as Siliconera, Gameranx, and Otaquest, and has been playing games nonstop since 1996.

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Reyadh is a writer of fantasy, horror, and science fiction who loves to play video games full of monsters and magic. When he's not scribing unique and unrelenting speculative fiction or slaying demons in virtual worlds, he is writing strategy guides to help others reach their gaming goals.

Key Takeaway

Alchemy allows players to extract raw ingredients from materials found around the world and combine them together to craft potions, grenades, elixirs, weapon coatings, and more.

Most Alchemy recipes will automatically unlock by extracting ingredients from raw materials, which can be done by clicking the illuminated button at the bottom left of the Alchemy screen.

As you explore the world, you’ll discover organic ingredients used to craft useful items like potions, grenades, and elixirs. Recipes for these versatile creations can be found throughout the game, and making use of the Baldur’s Gate 3 Alchemy system can help make even the toughest battle winnable.

Table Of Contents

    How to Use Alchemy in Baldur’s Gate 3

    The Alchemy interface is immediately available at the start of the game and can be accessed by pressing the H key. If you’re playing on PlayStation 5, press R2 to bring up the shortcut menu where you can select the Alchemy icon.

    The Alchemy tab in Baldur's Gate 3.

    In Baldur’s Gate 3, players can extract raw ingredients from materials found around the world and combine them together to craft potions, grenades, elixirs, weapon coatings, and more. It’s also possible to loot helpful items or purchase them from merchants. However, having the means to create healing potions or damaging grenades as you’re out exploring can be hugely beneficial.

    Upon opening the Alchemy interface, craftable items will be illuminated. If you do not have all the necessary ingredients, then items will be grayed out. To craft the item of your choice, click ‘Craft Item.’ If you’d like to craft as many of one item as possible, select ‘Craft All Items.’ You’ll find the crafted items in your inventory.

    The Alchemy tab in Baldur's Gate 3.
    Note
    You can use Alchemy at any time unless you’re in a conversation or mid-combat.

    To create items using Alchemy, you’ll need to use extracts. There are six extract categories: Sublimates, Salts, Essences, Ashes, Vitriols, and Suspensions. You can get extracts by finding raw materials in the environment. When opening the Alchemy tab, you’ll see an ‘Extract All Ingredients’ button at the bottom left. Click it to break down the materials you’ve found into useful extracts.

    All Alchemy ingredients and extracts can be found in the Alchemy Pouch located in your inventory.

    Where to Find Alchemy Recipes

    Most recipes will automatically unlock by extracting ingredients from raw materials.

    On occasion, you can also find Alchemy recipes hidden in notes and books you find on your journey. Reading any applicable page will automatically add the recipe to your Alchemy interface.

    Unlocking new Alchemy recipes in Baldur's Gate 3 by extracting ingredients.

    As long as you continuously gather resources on your travels, your Alchemy tab will be full in no time. Thankfully, you don’t need to worry about learning recipes externally.

    All Alchemy Recipes

    Alchemy can be used to create potions, elixirs, grenades, and coatings. Potions can restore a character’s health and can also provide temporary buffs, similar to elixirs. Grenades can be thrown to damage enemies or create certain conditions, like setting something on fire. Coatings apply special effects to equipped weapons, such as troublesome poison or oil.

    Tip
    If you’d like to heal or buff multiple characters at once, gather them together and throw the Potion or Elixir of your choice onto the group. Characters don’t actually need to drink these creations—drenching them works too!

    Below, we’ve included a list of all Alchemy recipes, including their effects and necessary ingredients.

    Item NameEffectsIngredients
    AntidoteNeutralizes the effects of all poisons.Salts of Mugwort + Any Suspension
    Potion of Angelic ReprieveDrink to fall into a 2-turn slumber. Unless interrupted, you gain the benefits of a Short Rest and regain all 1st and 2nd Level spell slots. If you are awoken before the duration expires, the effects will not apply.Essence of Unicorn Horn + Any Salt
    Potion of Angelic SlumberDrink to fall into a 2-turn slumber. Unless interrupted, you gain the benefits of a Long Rest.Essence of Planetar Feather + Any Suspension
    Potion of Animal SpeakingGain the ability to comprehend and verbally communicate with beasts until your next Long Rest.Essence of Acorn Truffle + Any Salt
    Potion of Feather FallDrink to slow your rate of descent during falls and gain Immunity to falling damage.Sublimate of Autumncrocus + Any Essence
    Potion of FlyingDrink to gain the ability to Fly.Sublimate of Eagle Feather + Any Essence
    Potion of Glorious VaultingDrink this to triple your Jump distance.Sublimate of Wispweed + Any Ashes
    Potion of Greater Healing4d4 Healing.Ashes of Balsam + Any Salt
    Potion of Healing2d4 Healing.Salts of Rogue's Morsel + Any Suspension
    Potion of InvisibilityTurn Invisible. The condition ends early if you attack or cast a spell.Ashes of Imp Patagium + Any Essence
    Potion of Mind ReadingDrink to probe into the minds of those around you. You will be able to read the thoughts of certain creatures while speaking with them.Suspension of Mergrass + Any Suspension
    Potion of SpeedBecome Hastened. Gain an extra action, +2 to Armor Class, Advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws, and double Movement Speed. When the condition ends, become Lethargic.Ashes of Hyena Ear + Any Salt
    Potion of Superior Healing8d4 Healing.Salts of Musk Creeper + Any Suspension
    Potion of Supreme Healing10d4 Healing.Sublimate of Ki-Rin Hair + Any Ashes
    Remedial PotionCures Blinded, Silenced, Paralyzed, and Poisoned creatures.Salt of Xorn Scales + Any Suspension
    Elixir of Arcane CultivationGain an additional Level 1 spell slot Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Vitriol of Weavemoss + Any Sublimate
    Elixir of BarkskinDrink to increase Armor Class to 16. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Salts of Tree Bark + Any Suspension
    Elixir of Battlemage's PowerDrink to increase the effectiveness of your spells. You will gain 3 Arcane Acuity. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Suspension of Gauth Eye + Any Sublimate
    Elixir of BloodlustDrink to enter a bloodlust. Once per turn when you kill a foe, you gain 5 temporary hit points and an additional action. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Ashes of Worg Fang + Any Salt
    Elixir of Cloud Giant StrengthIncrease your Strength to 27.Salts of Cloud Giant Fingernails + Any Suspension
    Elixir of DarkvisionDrink to gain the ability to see in the dark up to 12m. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Essence of Crystalline Lens + Any Salt
    Elixir of Fire ResistanceYou gain Resistance to Fire damage, and can no longer Burn.Ashes of Dragon Egg Mushroom + Any Salt
    Elixir of Guileful MovementYour movement speed can't be reduced by Difficult Terrain or Spells. You can't be Paralyzed or Restrained. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Suspension of Ochre Jelly + Any Sublimate
    Elixir of HeroismGain 10 temporary hit points and become Blessed.Sublimate of Pegasus Feathers + Any Ashes
    Elixir of Hill Giant StrengthIncrease your Strength to 21.Salts of Hill Giant Fingernails + Any Suspension
    Elixir of Lightning ResistanceYou gain Resistance to Lightning damage and can no longer be Shocked, Electrocuted, Jolted, or otherwise affected by lightning.Salts of Copper Shavings + Any Suspension
    Elixir of Necrotic ResistanceGain Resistance to Necrotic damage.Vitriol of Oleander + Any Sublimate
    Elixir of Peerless FocusDrink to gain Advantage on Concentration saves, and against being Charmed. Magic can't put you to sleep. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Sublimate of Belladonna + Any Ashes
    Elixir of Poison ResistanceYou gain Resistance to Poison damage and can no longer be Poisoned.Suspension of Muddy Goo + Any Sublimate
    Elixir of Psychic ResistanceGain Resistance to Psychic damage.Suspension of Cerebrospinal Fluid + Any Sublimate
    Elixir of See InvisibilityDrink this elixir to spot Invisible creatures. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Suspension of Nothic Eye + Any Vitriol
    Elixir of The ColossusDrink to increase your size. Weapons deal an additional 1d4 damage. You gain Advantage on Strength checks and saves. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Salts of Chasm Creeper + Any Suspension
    Elixir of Universal ResistanceGain resistance to all damage.
    Vitriol of Divine Miasma + Any Sublimate
    Elixir of ViciousnessThe number you need to roll to land Critical Hit is reduced by 1. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Vitriol of Shadowroot Sac + Any Ashes
    Elixir of VigilanceDrink to gain a +5 bonus to Initiative. In addition, you can't be surprised. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Sublimate of Bloodstained Hook + Any Ashes
    Greater Elixir of Arcane CultivationGain an additional Level 2 spell slot. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Suspension of Laculite + Any Vitriol
    Superior Elixir of Arcane CultivationGain an additional Level 3 spell slot. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Suspension of Night Orchid + Any Vitriol
    Supreme Elixir of Arcane CultivationGain an additional Level 4 spell slot. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Essence of Beholder Eye + Any Suspension
    Tadpole ElixirGain Psionic Weakening and Psionic Enrichment. Replaces effects from other elixirs when drunk.Sublimate of Tongue of Madness + Any Essence
    Alchemist's FireHurl a flask of liquid fire that explodes on impact.Ashes of Fire Amber + Any Salt
    FlashblinderBlind a target. If it is a steel watcher or scrying eye, it is stunned, and suffers a -1d6 penalty to Attack Rolls.Sublimate of Behir Scales + Any Ashes
    Fungal BamboozlerLob this vaporous decoction to Befuddle nearby foes.Timmask Spores + Any Salt
    Haste Spore GrenadeExplodes in a cloud of invigorating energy that Hastens creatures within.Sublimate of Haste Spores + Any Essence
    Hearthlight BombBathe a nearby target in light. Illuminates a 9m radius.Essence of Nightlight + Any Suspension
    Noxious Spore GrenadeExplodes in a virulent cloud that can inflict Noxious Fumes upon creatures within.Sublimate of Poison Spores + Any Ashes
    Web GrenadeExplodes into a tanglty mess that Enwebs creatures caught within.Suspension of Spider Silk + Any Vitriol
    Arsonist's OilCoat your weapon in an oil that transforms the target's Fire Resistance to Fire Vulnerability. Targets that are immune to Fire Damage are unaffected.Sublimate of Frosted Ears + Any Ashes
    Basic PoisonCoat your active weapon with a poison that inflicts an additional 1d4 Poison damage.Vitriol of Bonecap + Any Ashes
    Crawler MucusCoat your active weapon with poison. Targets must succeed a Constitution Saving Throw or become Paralyzed and Poisoned.Salts of Carrion Crawler Tentacle + Any Vitriol
    Diluted Oil of SharpnessCoat your weapon in oil. It gains a +1 bonus to Damage and Attack Rolls, and overcomes resistance to non-magical damage.Salts of Viridian Crystal + Any Vitriol
    Drow PoisonCoat your active weapon with poison. Targets must succeed a Constitution Saving Throw or become Poisoned and fall Asleep.Essence of Swarming Toadstool + Any Salt
    MaliceCoat your active weapon with poison. Targets must succeed a Constitution Saving Throw or become Blinded and Poisoned.Vitriol of Lolth's Candle + Any Ashes
    Oil of AccuracyCoat your weapon to receive a +2 bonus to Attack Rolls with the oiled weapon.Ashes of Daggerroot + Any Salt
    Oil of BaneCoat your weapon in oil. Targets failing a Charisma Saving Throw become Baned for 2 turns.Vitriol of Putrefied Tumour + Any Sublimate
    Oil of CombustionOn hit, a coated weapon covers its target in oil for 2 turns. Oil-covered targets immolate upon taking fire damage, dealing 3d18 fire damage to everyone and everything nearby.Ashes of Mephit Magma + Any Essence
    Oil of DiminutionCoat your weapon in oil: it receives a -1 penalty to damage, but targets failing a Constitution save, suffer Disadvantage on Strength Checks and Saves. They also receive a -1d4 penalty to melee damage.Essence of Sylvan Stone + Any Suspension
    Oil of FreezingCoat your weapon in oil. When you hit a foe, it inflicts Encrusted with Frost for 2 turns.Suspension of Frost Salamander Tongue + Any Ashes
    Purple Worm ToxinCoat your active weapon with toxin that deals an additional 1d10 poison damage.

    On a successful Constitution Saving Throw, target still takes half damage.
    Suspension of Purple Worm Slime + Any Vitriol
    Serpent Fang ToxinCoat your active weapon with toxin that deals an additional 1d6 poison damage.

    On a successful Constitution saving throw, target still takes half damage.
    Suspension of Snake Venom + Any Vitriol
    Simple ToxinCoat your active weapon with toxin that deals an additional 1d4 poison damage.

    On a successful Constitution saving throw, target still takes half damage.
    Suspension of Bullywug Trumpet + Any Sublimate
    Thisobald's Brewed-Up BellyglummerCoat your active weapon in poison. Targets must succeed a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned and take 1d6 Poison damage at the end of each of its turns.Salts of Corpse Rose + Any Suspension
    Wizardsbane OilCoat your weapon in oil. Its targets receive a -3 penalty to Spell Attack Rolls and Spell Save DC, and Disadvantage on Saving Throws for maintaining Concentration for 2 turns.Essence of Gremishka Tail + Any Suspension
    Wyvern ToxinCoat your active weapon with toxin that deals an additional 1d8 Poison damage.

    On a successful Constitution Saving Throw, target still takes half damage.
    Ashes of Wyvern Stinger + Any Salt

    Alchemy is an often-overlooked feature in Baldur’s Gate 3. As you embark on your epic journey, be sure to collect as many resources as you can to fill out your recipe book. You never know when a hastily-crafted potion or a vial of poison will come in handy.

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