Like almost everything in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, potion-making is a slow and sometimes frustrating process. But with a bit of patience (and this guide), alchemy can become a crucial part of your Bohemian adventure. Whether you're brewing potions to buff your stats, cure food poisoning, fix hangovers, or even save your game, alchemy is worth mastering. Oh, and you can even make soap, you filthy peasant.

How and Where to Brew Potions

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Potions can only be brewed at alchemy benches. The first one you’ll encounter is in the Old Lady’s hut during the tutorial. Later, you'll find another bench right next to the apothecary in Trovit. Both the alchemy bench and drying rack in Trovit are free for you to use and won't get you into trouble. During the story sequence where you're brewing medicine for Hans, you’ll get a quick rundown on potion-making. But if you want to become a true medieval chemist, here’s what you need to know.

Potion Quality Factors

There are seven key factors that determine how good (or bad) your potion turns out:

• The liquid base (water, wine, oil, or spirits).
• The amount and order of ingredients you throw in.
• Grinding ingredients in the mortar and pestle (if required).
• Fire heat level (controlled by the bellows).
• Cauldron position (raise it or lower it to control boiling).
• Boil timing (get this wrong, and your potion turns into medieval sludge).
• Extraction method (distilling or just pouring it out). Mess up any of these steps, and Henry might grumble about your failure. But follow the recipe perfectly, and you’ll brew strong potions with maximum effects. Some alchemy perks, like Secret of Equilibrium 1 & 2, let you get away with small mistakes, while Secret of Secrets (unlocked at alchemy level 16) lets you craft Henry-branded high-quality potions.

Gathering Ingredients

Alchemy ingredients are everywhere—you just have to know where to look. If you’re searching for a specific herb, check the crafting tab or your recipe book. Apothecaries sell most ingredients, and they’re pretty cheap, so stock up whenever you can. Just remember that herbs spoil over time, so dry them on the rack. Drying takes no time at all, so use it whenever possible.

Tips for Brewing Like a Pro

• Liquid bases are infinite. Don’t worry about wasting them.
• Stock your shelf efficiently. While at the alchemy table, hold the “prepare” button on a recipe page to add ingredients automatically. If you're missing something, the option will be grayed out.
• Boiling is tricky. The surface bubbles aren’t a great indicator of when boiling starts or stops. The best way to control a standard boil:
• Add ingredients while the cauldron is raised.
• Pump the bellows once.
• Lower the cauldron to the fire—it’ll start boiling instantly.
• Flip the sandglass to start your timer. If you need a hotter fire, keep pumping the bellows throughout the boil while the cauldron is in the lowered position.

Leveling Up Your Alchemy Skill

Alchemy XP comes from brewing potions, and the better you brew, the more XP you get. To level up fast and make some coin, focus on brewing marigold decoctions. They only require two simple ingredients—marigold and nettles—which are easy to find.

• Marigolds grow near Bojeta’s hut and the Trovitapothecary.
• Nettles grow near the woods and riverbanks. Pick tons of both, dry them, and you’ll be set for a long time. The marigold takes about four in-game days to regrow, and while herbs are light, picking too many will weigh you down.

Brewing a Marigold Decoction (Step-by-Step)

If you don’t want to waste coin on the recipe, here’s how you make it:

1. Pour water into the cauldron while it's raised.
2. Add one handful of nettle to the raised cauldron.
3. Pump the bellows once.
4. Lower the cauldron, then immediately flip the sandglass.
5. When it empties, flip it again for a second boil.
6. After the second boil, raise the cauldron to stop boiling.
7. Grind two handfuls of marigolds in the mortar and pestle.
8. Add the ground marigold to the cauldron.
9. Immediately pour the potion into a vial without boiling. This process takes about 90 seconds, making it one of the fastest potions to brew. Marigold decoctions heal you, cure hangovers, and sell well, making them a great choice for both survival and profit.

Alchemy Perks: Making Your Life Easier

Alchemy's perks make potion brewing easier and more profitable. Here are the ones you should focus on:

• Secret of Equilibrium 1 & 2 – Reduces the impact of minor brewing mistakes.
• Potion Seller – Makes potions sell for more gold.
• Secret of Secrets – Unlocks Henry-branded potions at level 16.
• Secret of Matter 1 & 2 – Increases the number of potions per brew (BUT you can’t take this if you chose Secret of Equilibrium). If you're gathering herbs a lot, you should also grab these perks from the Survival tree:
• Flower Power – Increases charisma just by carrying herbs.
• Leg Day – Boosts strength while picking herbs.
• Lucky Find – Gives a chance to collect extra herbs or treasure. And if you like reading (or just want free XP), perks from the Scholarship tree help too:
• Wonders of Nature – Boosts Alchemy & Survival XP.
• Fundamentals of Medicine 2 – Strengthens healing potions.
• Reading on Alchemy – Buy On the Composition of Alchemy 1 from the Trovitapothecary to level up both Scholarship and Alchemy.

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Final Thoughts

Alchemy may seem overwhelming at first, but practice makes perfect. The more you brew, the easier it gets, especially once you unlock perks that streamline the process. Whether you’re making potions for survival, profit, or just to get Henry drunk (again), mastering alchemy is well worth the effort. Happy brewing!

FAQs

How do I make alchemy easier in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2?

Level up, unlock alchemy perks like Secret of Equilibrium, follow recipes exactly, and stockpile dried herbs for quick brewing sessions.

What’s the best potion to farm XP and gold?

Marigold decoctions! They’re easy to make, heal you, and sell well. Just gather marigolds and nettles, then start brewing.

Do I need recipes to brew potions?

Nope! If you know the steps, you can brew any potion—just follow the correct process, and you’re golden.