Summary
Alchemy remains an underestimated portion ofBaldur’s Gate 3gameplay, especially when players prefer dealing old-fashioned justice to enemies with heavy-hitting strikes and spells. However, players can further diversify theirBaldur’s Gate 3sessions with Alchemy’s offerings, especially withElixirsthat can give access to various advantages to characters that spells and weapon actions can’t ordinarily provide.
With Elixirs, players of theDungeons & Dragonsadaptation can make combat much easier to handle. Moreover, carrying the right Elixirs can help the party become ready for almost any form of combat situation - be it against giant bosses, sneaky assassins, and powerful spellcasters. However, just which Elixirs can help players get that much-needed edge?
Updated June 30, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:Courtesy of Hotfix #17, fans of Baldur’s Gate 3 may have a more comfortable time engaging enemies in different combat encounters without having to be afraid if a more complex maneuver might end up in a bug. This is something players may immediately notice once they integrate Elixirs into their gameplay, especially when some of them can level up a character’s combat performance with specific benefits.
Among more recommended Elixirs that players should use include one that reverses an opponent’s Fire Resistance, something that provides its drinker with Darkvision, potions that improve its drinker’s spellcasting or martial performance, as well as a must-drink potion before beginning adventures.
Where To Find
Arron (Druid Grove)
Considering how most unique abilities inBaldur’s Gate 3possessspecial elemental attributes, players can reduce the impact of powerful attacks against them with the right Resistances. In the case of explosively deadly Fire Damage, anElixir of Fire Resistancecan come in handy for players who find themselves dangerously close to flaming attacks.
When consumed, players get Resistance to Fire Damage as well as immunity to Burning. This allows them to easily dodge the game’s more dangerous elemental damage types.
Players can easily create Elixir of Fire Resistance via Alchemy if they have Salts and Dragon Egg Mushrooms, specifically Ashes of Dragon Egg Mushroom. They may also get the Elixir from Arron in the Druid Grove.
N/A
Considering the various environmental situations that affect gameplay, securing Darkvision as a means to bypass dark dungeons can give players an edge in anticipating potential combat encounters. If players aren’tusing a Race with Darkvision, they can at least use anElixir of Darkvisionto secure this vision advantage.
Created by combining an Essence of Crystalline Lene and Any Salt, this Elixir lets players see in the dark up to 12 meters until they pull off a Long Rest. This length of time should give players enough opportunity to explore dungeons thoroughly without being hindered by the need for bright items.
-1 to Critical Hit
Players who know how to work their way aroundBaldur’s Gate 3combat can score high damage numbers easily with the right combination of moves. However, theElixir of Viciousnesscan take things a step further by boosting the odds of players scoring Critical Hits, which basically doubles the damage of their attacks.
When used with the right set of boosts, the Elixir of Viciousness can give a DPS specialist like the Roguea lot of opportunities to hit Criticalsand unleash mayhem. This is especially made more possible with features that lessens the total needed for a crit such as Improved Critical Hit (-1 to the roll needed, usually 20) or rerolling for higher results via Advantage.
Uncommon
Effect
Advantage to Concentration Saves, Advantage against Charm, Cannot be put to Sleep
Much of the heavy-hitting spells inBaldur’s Gate 3require Concentration, aD&Dmechanic that guarantees the efficiency of a spell as long as its caster isn’t distracted. As with the TTRPG,Baldur’s Gatecasters break Concentration should they choose to cast another Concentration-based spell or when they get hit. With theElixir of Peerless Focus, spellcasters can maintain powerful spells without having to worry about wasting spell slots.
Upon consumption, the Elixir of Peerless Focus gives casters Advantages to Concentration Saves. Moreover, its users are immune to Sleep and possess Advantage over Charm effects. While this Elixir is not something that spellcasters need in every battle, boss battles where acaster like a Bardcould be disoriented with a powerful attack could use this potion.
10Elixir Of Barkskin
Boost Overall Defense For Extra Base Protection
Spellcasters can only cast their spells when not wearing armor, severely hindering their defenses inBaldur’s Gate 3combat unless they use much-needed spell slots for protective measures such as Mage Armor or the Armor of Agathys. However, thanks toElixir of Barkskin, spellcasters like Wizards need only to drink a potion to improve their defenses.
Upon consumption, the Elixir of Barkskin immediately replaces their existing Armor Class to 16. This lasts until a Long Rest,giving a spellcaster much-needed room for maneuverabilityin any combat situation. When faced with multiple combatants within long range, even a faraway Wizard could use the AC boost to ensure the attacks against them miss.
Mol (Tiefling Hideout)
With Armor Class being the only deterrent between safety and death inD&D, players who want to enjoy theirBaldur’s Gate 3gameplay need to secure high enough AC or pack enough healing spells, potions, andIllithid Powersto maintain their survival. Thankfully, spells can also grant Temporary HP, which can serve as a buffer before attacks begin to lessen a character’s actual HP count.
Thanks to theElixir of Heroism, players no longer have to worry about wasting their spell slots just refreshing Temporary HP for the party. At its core, the Elixir of Heroism gives 10 Temporary HP to its drinker as well as the Blessed status, which adds +1d4 to their Ability Checks.
Rare
Freedom of Movement: No Movement reduction by Spells and Difficult Terrain, Immunity to Paralyzed and Restrained effects
Movement is an integral part ofBaldur’s Gate 3gameplay, especially since it determines how players can effectively position their characters in the tactical RPG. With the game providing players with a limited movement range per turn, even being a few meters away from a target or a spell range can make attacks useless. Thankfully, theElixir of Guileful Movementcan guarantee seamless movement even in the presence of interference.
Upon consumption, the Elixir of Guileful Movement will grant its user immunity to Paralysed and Restrained effects, making it easier forlong-ranged weaponusers to reposition to better vantage points. Moreover, they won’t receive any penalties to their Movement Speed regardless of the source, be it a spell or Difficult Terrain.
+5 Initiative, Immunity to being Surprised
With the gameplay ofBaldur’s Gate 3being an adaptation ofD&Dmechanics, players who end up in combat also have to follow the TTRPG’s Initiative concept. This system determines how early characters make their moves in combat, and is something that usually dictates the pacing of battle. In surprise rounds, the ambushers gain the advantage of moving first. And with theElixir of Vigilance, integral party members will likely gain that early bird boost.
When consumed, the Elixir of Vigilance gives its user +5 to Initiative on top of being immune to Surprises. Despite its straightforward effect, the +5 to Initiative can guarantee the likes of melee specialists going first to get a head start, or for glass cannon spellcasters to make the first move to secure as much damage as possible while opponents are still clustered together.
Increase Strength to 21
Frontline tanks and melee specialists such as Fighters and Barbarians often rely on Strength for their attack rolls to hit,making a high Strength Ability Score integral to their combat performanceinBaldur’s Gate 3. Thankfully, theElixir of Hill Giant Strengthcan make such an occurrence possible, with the potion boosting the user’s Strength to 21 until they make a Long Rest.
With Ability Scores determining Ability Modifiers, having a Strength of 21 nets a +5 to all Strength-related checks. Moreover, having a base 21 Strength means players immediately get +5 on their Attack Rolls on top of Proficiency Bonuses and other buffs, significantly boosting their capacity to hit hard in combat.
Enlarged: +1d4 Weapon Damage, Advantage on STR Checks and STR Saves
In an RPG likeBaldur’s Gate 3where an enemy with 1 HP can perform in combat as efficiently as their full-health counterparts, every bit of damage counts. Courtesy of theElixir of the Colossus, players can get the upper hand with a constant damage buff to their attacks. When consumed, the Elixir of the Colossus bestows the feeling of the user growing in size - something that extends to their performance.
Upon consumption, its users gain Advantage on Strength Checks and Strength Saves. Moreover, weapons now deal an additional 1d4 Damage. Despite this seemingly low boost to damage output, this potion works best when combined with effects that grant multiple attacks, such as Extra Attacks, Bonus Actions, and Extra Actions.
