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 3received 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.
This post is a guide to regular potions. For all of the monster decoctions Geralt can make, head over to our decoctions guide by clicking here:
The Witcher 3 Decoctions: Recipe, Effects, and Ingredients
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.
Uses
Black Blood (regular)
Geralt’s blood damages Necrophages and Vampires when they hurt him (15% damage returned to attacker)
15
30s
3
25 in Patch 4.0
Damage returned to attacker increased to 20%
45s
4
Superior Black Blood
Damage returned to attacker increased to 30%, and Necrophages and Vampires now start bleeding when nearby Geralt. His blood will also knock the back when they hurt him
60s
5
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!
Blizzard (regular)
Whenever Geralt kills an enemy, time is slowed down by 50%
25
15s
2
In Patch 4.0, time is slowed by 20%
20 in Patch 4.0
8s in Patch 4.0
Time is now slowed by 55%
20s
In Patch 4.0, time is now slowed by 30%
10s in Patch 4.0
Superior Blizzard
Time is now slowed by 60%. If there are 3 Adrenaline Points available, actions during this Potion’s effect do not consume Stamina
In Patch 4.0, time is now slowed by 40%. The Adrenaline Point effect still applies
12s in Patch 4.0
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.
Cat (regular)
Gives Geralt the ability to see in the dark
In Patch 4.0, it also adds a 5% critical hit chance
Adds immunity to hypnosis
120s
In Patch 4.0, the added critical hit chance is increased to +7%
Effects are the same as Enhanced Cat
180s
In Patch 4.0, the added critical hit chance is increased to +10%
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.
Increases Geralt’s maximum Vitality by 300
Increases Geralt’s maximum Vitality by 1,100
90s
In Patch 4.0, it increases Geralt’s maximum Vitality by 650
Superior Full Moon
Increases Geralt’s maximum Vitality by 1,500. Additionally, it heals Vitality equal to the number of Geralt’s current Toxicity
In Patch 4.0, it increases Geralt’s maximum Vitality by 1,000. The healing effects still apply
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.
Golden Oriole (regular)
Neutralizes poisons in Geralt’s bloodstream and makes him immune to poisonous attacks
20
Same as above
Superior Golden Oriole
Poisonous attacks now heal Geralt instead of doing damage to him
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.
Killer Whale
Increases Geralt’s breath supply underwater by 50% and grants improved vision while diving
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:
Increases Adrenaline Point gain by 0.15
Superior Maribor Forest
Same as above, but also adds an entire Adrenaline Point when consumed
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.
Increases Sign intensity by 15%
Increases Sign intensity by 20%
Increases Sign intensity by 25%
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.
