Dealing damage and weakening enemies in Skyrim isn't just about swinging swords and shooting beams of lightning. For those who seek an advantage over their enemies, plenty of flora, fauna, and fungi come in handy for creating toxic concoctions.
Some players find Skyrim's alchemy mechanics a bit daunting at first, since ingredients are shrouded in mystery at the beginning of the game. With this guide, though, they'll whip up deadly brews in no time. An alchemically shrewd Dragonborn can coat their weapons in poison — or, with a high enough Pickpocket skill, simply slip any of these mixtures into a foe's pocket and watch it take effect.
Updated September 13, 2023, by Demaris Oxman: More than ten years after its release, Skyrim remains an icon of open-word fantasy RPGs. Updated editions and an active modding community have kept the game alive, and the Anniversary Edition brought a wealth of free additional content from the Creation Club. With these additions, plenty of new alchemical ingredients — some with previously unavailable effects — have been introduced. For the Dragonborn who loves to experiment with alchemy, this list has been updated to include more details on the effects these poisons inflict on their targets. Keep in mind that each effect's intensity (and duration, when applicable) increase with the player's Alchemy skill level, so check out these additional Alchemy tips to make more potent poisons.
15 Swamp Fungal Pod + Purple Mountain Flower + Imp Stool
Effects
- Paralysis: Target falls to the ground immobilized for X seconds.
- Lingering Damage Magicka: Target's Magicka decreases by X points per second for X seconds.
Are slippery mages proving a challenge for the Dragonborn? With this poison, they're an issue no longer. Though this brew only boasts two effects, it can save the player's hide in the right situations.
Paralysis is one of the most useful poison effects, giving players a window to land hits on fast-moving opponents — like high-level mages that tend to leap around the battlefield. With the additional Lingering Damage Magicka effect, these opponents will have a harder time casting spells even when they get back up.
Ingredient Locations
- Look for Swamp Fungal Pods in the marshes around Morthal.
- Purple Mountain Flowers are common in the wilderness in the Rift, and along mountain paths.
- Imp Stools are typically found in caves and other dark, damp areas.
14 Daedra Heart + Powdered Mammoth Tusk + Juniper Berries
Effects
- Weakness to Fire: Target is X% weaker to fire-based spells and enchantments for X seconds.
- Damage Stamina Regen: Target's Stamina regenerates X% more slowly for X seconds.
- Fear: Targets up to level X flee from combat for X seconds. Does not affect undead targets, atronachs, or Dwarven constructs.
Apply this poison to a weapon with a fire enchantment, and enemies will turn to ash as they flee from the Dragonborn's presence. Weakness to Fire leaves enemies vulnerable to magical damage; meanwhile, Damage Stamina Regen decreases their capacity to attack.
Finally, Fear causes enemies to turn and run. Thus, this poison is perfect for thinning out crowds of enemies. When the Dragonborn is overwhelmed by draugr, use this poison to force a few of them to run away.
Ingredient Locations
- Daedra Hearts are rare, but can be found on the corpses of Daedric foes. Alchemy shops also carry them, but they're quite expensive.
- Powdered Mammoth Tusk may be found as a rare drop from Forsworn. Players can also receive it by purchasing an Alchemy Lab for their home with the Hearthfire DLC.
- Look for Juniper Berries in the wilderness of the Reach.
13 Scanlon Fin + Pygmy Sunfish + Ectoplasm
Effects
- Lingering Damage Magicka: Target's Magicka decreases by X points per second for X seconds.
- Damage Magicka Regen: Target's Magicka regenerates X% more slowly for X seconds.
- Damage Health: Damages the target's Health by X points.
Every Dragonborn has found themselves growing frustrated in a fight against a powerful mage who seems to have unlimited spellcasting power. This potion should make these fights a little easier, draining the target's Magicka and decreasing the rate at which they get it back. For an extra blow, it will take out a chunk of the opponent's health as well.
Ectoplasm in this recipe can be swapped out for several other ingredients. Imp Stool, Nightshade, Nirnroot, Troll Fat, or Deathbell will all do if the player can't get their hands on any Ectoplasm. Just make sure that the ingredient used doesn't have positive effects that overlap with those of the other ingredients.
Ingredient Locations
- Scanlon Fins are part of the Rare Curios add-on, and can be purchased from Khajiit Caravans for a moderate price.
- Pygmy Sunfish are available with the Fishing add-on. Players can catch them with the Fishing Rod in the pool in the Ancestor Glade (Dawnguard DLC) and in the hot spring near the Atronach Stone.
- Ectoplasm can be purchased for a low price from most alchemy shops. Several are also available in static locations around Skyrim, including the College of Winterhold and the homes of NPCs who practice alchemy.
12 Salt Pile + Trama Root + Hagraven Feathers
Effects
- Damage Magicka: Damages the target's Magicka by X points.
- Weakness to Shock: Target takes X% more damage from shock-based spells and enchantments for X seconds.
- Slow: Target moves 50% more slowly for X seconds.
This brew proves excellent for weakening opponents who prefer magical attacks. Damage Magicka, naturally, makes it much more difficult for foes to unleash high-level spells. Meanwhile, Weakness to Shock allows the player to drain their enemies' magicka even further with spells of their own.
Slow, meanwhile, shows up a few times on this list considering its utility. When one's opponents move at half their usual speed, it's easier for the Dragonborn to dodge incoming attacks and cut enemies down.
Ingredient Locations
- Salt Piles are commonly found in homes, camps, and can be bought cheaply from shops.
- Trama Root is exclusive to the Dragonborn DLC, and grows all over Solstheim.
- Find Hagraven Feathers on defeated Hagravens, or buy them from alchemists to avoid the hassle.
11 Abecean Longfin + Ice Wraith Teeth + Bleeding Crown
Effects
- Weakness to Frost: Target is X% weaker to frost-based spells and enchantments for X seconds.
- Weakness to Fire: Target is X% weaker to fire-based spells and enchantments for X seconds.
- Weakness to Poison: Poisons applied to the target are X% more effective for X seconds.
Destruction mages rejoice! With this brew, enemies are left more vulnerable to fire and frost spells. Though players will initially need a weapon to apply the poison, they're left free to shoot Firebolts and Icicle Spears afterwards. The effect also works with fire and frost enchantments on weapons.
What's more, Weakness to Poison ensures that if the Dragonborn wants to apply another toxic effect, it will pack a bigger punch. Some players tend to overlook poison effects that don't directly damage stats, but don't underestimate the impact of weakening a foe's defenses.
Ingredient Locations
- Catch Abecean Longfin in Skyrim's lakes and rivers, or breed them in a fish hatchery with Hearthfire.
- Kill Ice Wraiths to loot their fangs.
- Find Bleeding Crown in caves and other underground areas.
10 Nightshade + Skeever Tail + Silverside Perch
Effects
- Damage Health: Damages target's Health by X points.
- Ravage Health: Decreases the target's maximum Health by X points.
- Damage Stamina Regen: Target's Stamina regenerates X% more slowly for X seconds.
Nightshade is always a reliable ingredient when it comes to poisons in Skyrim. While this recipe’s effects may be simple, they’re also highly destructive. Ravage Health decreases the target's max health, while Damage Health takes out of chunk of HP.
Lastly, Damage Stamina Regen makes it much harder for enemies to regain enough stamina to perform effective power attacks in quick succession. This makes it easier for players to avoid the hardest hits, and sneak a few blows in themselves.
Ingredient Locations
- Several Nightshade plants grow in the cemeteries in Solitude, Riften, and Falkreath.
- Kill Skeevers in cellars and caves to loot their tails.
- Catch Silverside Perch in Skyrim's lakes and rivers, or breed them in a fish hatchery with Hearthfire.
9 Scathecraw + Orange Dartwing + Giant Lichen
Effects
- Ravage Health: Decreases the target's maximum Health by X points.
- Ravage Magicka: Decreases the target's maximum Magicka by X points.
- Lingering Damage Health: Target's Health decreases by X points per second for X seconds.
A great poison to employ against high-level magic users, this poison deals an initial hit to both Health and Magicka. The Ravage effect decreases the max value of these stats, making targets weaker and less magically effective even if they manage to heal.
What's more, Lingering Damage Health is always a helpful effect for poisoners. Decreasing the target's health by a certain amount every second, it does the work of a player's attacks for them.
Ingredient Locations
- Orange Dartwings may be found hovering over Skyrim's lakes and streams.
- Scathecraw is a Dragonborn-exclusive ingredient, and grows all over Solstheim.
- Giant Lichen are common around the marshes east of Solitude.
8 Deathbell + Falmer Ear + Blisterwort
Effects
- Frenzy: Targets up to level X will target anyone nearby for X seconds. Does not affect undead targets, atronachs, or Dwarven constructs.
- Damage: Damages target's Health by X points.
- Ravage Stamina: Decreases the target's maximum Stamina by X points.
Deathbell is a poison powerhouse, and Skyrim’s more devious alchemists will find themselves turning to it time and again. This recipe makes use of its Damage Health and Ravage Stamina effects, while the other two ingredients bring Frenzy into play.
When under the influence of Frenzy, the target will attack any creature in range. Hostile guards will turn on civilians; bandit leaders will go after their henchmen. Use it as a distraction to slip away, or simply to get an enemy to help weaken other opponents.
Ingredient Locations
- Deathbell are plentiful around Morthal and throughout the wilderness of Hjaalmarch.
- Predictably, Falmer Ears can be looted from killed Falmer.
- Like most mushrooms, Blisterwort is most common in caves and dark, damp areas.
7 Giant Lichen, Skeever Tail, Deathbell
Effects
- Damage Health: Damages target's Health by X points.
- Ravage Health: Decreases the target's maximum Health by X points.
- Weakness to Poison: Poisons applied to the target are X% more effective for X seconds.
Poisons of Weakness to Poison are a bit of an inside joke among Skyrim fans, but that doesn’t mean they’re not useful. Not only does this brew gouge an enemy’s health bar, it also leaves them more vulnerable to further poison attacks.
Make this recipe in bulk, and reapply it to weapons in between hits in battle. Each toxic hit will be more brutal than the last, making it easy to quickly wear down even the toughest opponents.
Ingredient Locations
- Giant Lichen are common around the marshes east of Solitude.
- Kill Skeevers in cellars and caves to loot their tails.
- Deathbell are plentiful around Morthal and throughout the wilderness of Hjaalmarch.
6 Nightshade + Human Heart + Chicken's Egg
Effects
- Damage Magicka Regen: Target's Magicka regenerates X% more slowly for X seconds.
- Damage Health: Damages target's Health by X points.
- Lingering Damage Stamina: Target's Stamina decreases by X points per second for X seconds.
All three major stats take a hit with this poison, each in a different way. Whether players face an opponent that relies on power attacks or Destruction spells, a weapon coated with this mixture will put targets at a disadvantage, as well as decreasing HP.
This brew is a good one to keep on hand during exploration, when players have no idea what enemies they might encounter. No matter what might try to attack the Dragonborn, this poison can help counter it.
Ingredient Locations
- Look for Nightshade in the cemeteries in Solitude, Riften, and Falkreath.
- Human Hearts are rare, and can sometimes be found in the hideouts of vampires or other evil mages.
- Look for Chicken Eggs in animal pens. With Hearthfire, players can raise chickens of their own for an endless egg supply.