Skyrim: Amazing Potion Recipes With Multiple Effects

For those just learning it, Skyrim's alchemy system may seem a little intimidating. With dozens of ingredients each bearing four effects, it can be tricky to learn how to optimize one's potions. The best recipes are the ones that can achieve more than one buff, but sometimes, a detrimental effect gets accidentally caught up in the mixture.

To help players get started, here's a list of some of the best potion recipes players can whip up in Skyrim. Each of these mixtures boasts multiple effects that complement each other, has no negative effects, and can serve the Dragonborn in plenty of different scenarios. All the mixtures listed below are beneficial to the drinker — to harm enemies through alchemy, check out this guide to devastating Skyrim poisons.

Updated September 13, 2023, by Demaris Oxman: Skyrim's Alchemy crafting system continues to fascinate players over a decade after the game's release. The game's Anniversary Edition revitalized the player base with the addition of free Creation Club content. Among the quests, features, and items added, several new alchemical ingredients came to Skyrim for the first time in the Creation Club update. Some of these ingredients could even create potions with effects that were not present in the base game. To give Dragonborn alchemists a head start in experimenting with these new ingredients, this list has been updated to include more information on what each potion's effects do.

15 Snowberries + Spriggan Sap + Blisterwort

Effects

Fortify Enchanting: Increases the drinker's Enchanting skill by X% for 60 seconds.
Fortify Smithing: Increases the drinker's Smithing skill by X% for 60 seconds.

A Dragonborn looking to buckle down for a crafting session should chug this potion, as it provides the Dragonborn with increases to two handy crafting skills. Not only are these effects valuable, but they also work well with each other.

Applied enchantments will be more powerful, and weapons and armor will be improved to a greater degree. This will allow the player to craft stronger, more powerful gear to keep them alive in Skyrim's harsh landscape — or to sell for a few extra gold.

Ingredient Locations

Snowberries: These little red berries are abundant in Skyrim's colder areas. Look for them near Dawnstar and Winterhold.
Spriggan Sap: Despite its name, players will not find this ingredient on killed Spriggans. The only way to get it is to buy (or steal) from an alchemy shop.
Blisterwort: Like most mushrooms, Blisterwort is common in cool, damp areas, like caves and Dwemer ruins. It's especially plentiful in Chillwind Depths.

14 Ashen Grass Pod + Pine Thrush Egg + Purple Mountain Flower

ashen grass pod, purple mountain flower, pine thrush egg

Effects

Fortify Lockpicking: Increases the drinker's Lockpicking skill by X% for 60 seconds.
Fortify Sneak: Increases the drinker's Sneak skill by X% for 60 seconds.
Restore Stamina: Restore X points of Stamina.

The perfect potion for thieves, this recipe fortifies essential stealth skills, making it that much easier for the Dragonborn to break into houses and help themselves to valuables. What's more, if the player happens to be low on Stamina, this mixture will restore that as well.

Unfortunately, the Ashen Grass Pod is a DLC-exclusive ingredient, found only in Dragonborn. For those with the DLC, however, this potion is worth a trip to the island of Solstheim.

Ingredient Locations

Ashen Grass Pod: As mentioned above, this ingredient is exclusive to Solstheim. It can be found throughout the ash wastes on the southern half of the island.
Pine Thrush Egg: These can be looted from birds' nests in Skyrim's eastern regions; they're most common in the Reach.
Purple Mountain Flower: These are common in Skyrim's temperate regions, such as Whiterun Hold and the forests of Falkreath.

13 Briar Heart + Ectoplasm + Glow Dust

Effects

Restore Magicka: Restore X points of Magicka.
Fortify Magicka: Increases the drinker's maximum Magicka by X points for 60 seconds.
Fortify Destruction: Increases the drinker's Destruction skill by X% for 60 seconds.

A perfect mixture for destruction mages, this potion ensures that the player has plenty of Magicka at the ready, and that their spells will do more damage.

Whether the player relies on fire, frost, or shock, this potion ensures that they have plenty of Magicka to cast their highest-level spells, while also increasing the damage that those spells inflict. Battlemages should pack a few every time they head into a fight.

Ingredient Locations

Briar Heart: As the name implies, these can be looted from Forsworn Briarhearts, which often serve as the final enemy in Forsworn hideouts. If players want a safer route, Briar Hearts are often available to buy from alchemy vendors.
Ectoplasm: Loot this from the remains of ghosts. Alternatively, it is readily available in alchemy shops and the homes of mages or alchemists.
Glow Dust: This ingredient is dropped by Wispmothers; however, since this enemy is fairly rare, players might have an easier time buying or stealing it from alchemy shops or various homes around Skyrim.

12 Daedra Silk + Blister Pod Cap + Red Mountain Flower

daedra venin, blister pod cap, red mountain flower

Effects

Nighteye: Brightens the drinker's field of view, allowing them to see more clearly in the dark.
Invisibility: Drinker is invisible for X seconds.
Fortify Magicka: Increases the drinker's maximum Magicka by X points for 60 seconds.
Restore Magicka: Restore X points of Magicka.

This is an essential brew for stealthy mages, such as those who use Illusion magic to pass through enemy territory. It will not only render the Dragonborn invisible, but allow them to see in the dark as well. Even if the invisibility wears off, they can use the cover of the shadows to sneak successfully, and still be able to see clearly.

What's more, with both Fortify and Restore Magicka, the Dragonborn will have the resources to cast any other stealthy spells they need, such as Invisibility or Muffle. And if their stealth does fail, they'll have the resources to let their Destruction spells rip.

Ingredient Locations

Daedra Silk: As part of the Rare Curios creation, this ingredient is only available by purchase from Khajiit caravans.
Blister Pod Cap: Another Rare Curios item, these too can be bought from Khajiit. In the Saints and Seducers creation, the Dragonborn can find them in the hollow stumps in the sewers beneath Solitude.
Red Mountain Flower: Like the purple and blue variants, these grow all over Skyrim, especially in temperate regions like Whiterun and Falkreath.

11 Garlic + Slaughterfish Egg + Namira's Rot

Effects

Resist Poison: Poisons that target the drinker are X% less effective for 60 seconds.
Regenerate Health: The drinker's Health regenerates X% faster for 60 seconds.
Fortify Stamina: Increases the drinker's maximum Stamina by X points for 60 seconds.

Every Dragonborn should take this mixture along when delving into Dwarven ruins or other Falmer hideouts. These corrupted elves and their Chaurus pets use debilitating poison attacks, so a potion like this is invaluable.

Additionally, even when the player does take hits, Regenerate Health ensures they'll bounce back quickly. Finally, with the extra stamina, they'll be able to perform extra power attacks to overwhelm their foes.

Ingredient Locations

Garlic: Commonly found in homes and kitchens, the Dragonborn can usually take Garlic freely if they are on good terms with the home's owner.
Slaughterfish Egg: Clusters can be found near the shores of lakes and rivers across Skyrim. Lake Ilinalta and Goldenglow Estate are good places to look.
Namira's Rot: Like most mushrooms, Namira's Rot is common in caves. Chillwind Depths has a plentiful supply.

10 Snowberries + Bone Meal + Frost Salts

Effects

Resist Fire: The drinker takes X% less damage from fire-based spells and effects for 60 seconds.
Resist Frost: The drinker takes X% less damage from frost-based spells and effects for 60 seconds.
Fortify Conjuration: The drinker's Conjuration spells last X% longer for 60 seconds.

Snowberries make several appearances on this list, because they are invaluable for providing elemental protection. Whether the Dragonborn's enemy prefers to roast or freeze their opponents, this potion will protect the player, thanks to Snowberries' alignment with the other two ingredients.

Meanwhile, Bone Meal and Frost Salts work together to provide the Fortify Conjuration effect. This ensures that the player's summons, from zombies to Storm Atronachs, will last longer.

Ingredient Locations

Snowberries: See above
Bone Meal: As this is looted from draugr, skeletons, or other undead enemies, players can find a plentiful supply in any Nord ruin.
Frost Salts: Difficult to find in the wild, Frost Salts can be looted from Frost Atronachs. They may also be in the hideouts of powerful mages, or can be crafted at the College of Winterhold's Atronach Forge.

9 Slaughterfish Scales + Thistle Branch + Tundra Cotton

Thistle branch, tundra cotton, slaughterfish scales

Effects

Fortify Block: Increases the drinker's Block skill by X% for 60 seconds.
Fortify Two-Handed: Increases the drinker's Two-Handed skill by X% for 60 seconds.
Resist Frost: The drinker takes X% less damage from frost-based spells and effects for 60 seconds.

This is the perfect mixture for a proud Skyrim warrior. Players can use their battleaxes and greatswords to both deal heavier damage to enemies, and to more easily deflect incoming attacks.

The Resist Frost effect will also come in handy. For a Dragonborn fighting a Frost Dragon or Ice Wraith, this potion increases offensive power, and allows players to stay on their feet even with an ice spear through their chest.

Ingredient Locations

Slaughterfish Scales: Players can find these on killed Slaughterfish, or in alchemy shops.
Thistle Branch: This purple flower is common in Whiterun Hold, Haafingar, and Falkreath.
Tundra Cotton: These little white tufts are common in the tundra outside Whiterun.

8 Juniper Berries + Elves Ear + Vampire Dust

vampire dust, elves ear, juniper berries

Effects

Fortify Marksman: Increases the drinker's Archery skill by X% for 60 seconds.
Restore Magicka: Restore X points of Magicka.
Regenerate Health: The drinker's Health regenerates X% faster for 60 seconds.

Archery is a favorite skill among many Skyrim players, especially those who prefer to take out their enemies from a distance. With the damage boost that this potion provides to bows and crossbows, the Dragonborn might even be able to one-shot a few guards and sneak into a forbidden area.

Additionally, since some stealth builds use Illusion magic to soften their footsteps or render themselves unseen, this potion will assure that the Dragonborn has enough Magicka to perform their spells. And if they do find themselves caught in a fight, the Regenerate Health effect will make them much harder to kill.

Ingredient Locations

Juniper Berries: These are common in the Reach, especially on the road leading to Markarth. Look for short evergreen trees with clusters of small, pale green berries.
Elves Ear: This dried herb is often found hanging in homes and alchemist shops. The owners will let the Dragonborn take it freely if they are on good terms.
Vampire Dust: Loot killed Vampires to find this item. Clear out Haemar's Shame, Movarth's Lair, or do radiant quests for the Dawnguard.

7 Scaly Pholiota + Giant's Toe + Mora Tapinella

Effects

Regenerate Stamina: The drinker's Stamina regenerates X% faster for 60 seconds.
Fortify Carry Weight: The drinker's carrying capacity increases by X points for 60 seconds.
Fortify Illusion: The drinker's Conjuration spells last X% longer for 60 seconds.

Whether searching for a destination or simply wandering the world, this potion is essential for a Dragonborn wandering Skyrim. Regenerate Stamina allows for frequent sprinting (or power attacks when facing foes), while Fortify Carry Weight lets players pick up every stray sword, chunk of ore, or interesting mushroom they find.

The final effect may seem out of place to some, but this school of magic can be life-saving during exploration. Use Clairvoyance to find a way out of that cave, Muffle to sneak past a pack of bandits, or Calm to quickly get away from a sabre cat.

Ingredient Locations

Scaly Pholiota: This fungus be found growing on dead birch trees, and is most common in the Rift.
Giant's Toe: Players can loot this item from killed Giants, but to avoid being catapulted into the air, it might be safer to buy/steal it from an alchemist.
Mora Tapinella: This fungus grows on tree stumps and fallen logs. Autumnshade Clearing near Riften has a fair number.

6 Blue Mountain Flower + Wheat + Rock Warbler Egg

Effects

Fortify One-Handed: Increases the drinker's One-Handed skill by X% for 60 seconds.
Restore Health: Restore X points of Health.
Fortify Health: Increases the drinker's maximum Health by X points for 60 seconds.

For warriors who find themselves wounded in a fight, this potion will get them back on their feet — and perhaps even help them gain the upper hand. With it, the player's swords, maces, and axes will deal more damage, giving them an advantage

What's more, the potion both restores and fortifies the Dragonborn's health. Together, these ingredients both heal damage that has been done, and enable the player to take more hits while they dish out pain of their own.

Ingredient Locations

Blue Mountain Flower: Like its purple cousins, these bloom all over Skyrim's temperate areas.
Wheat: Players can usually find this growing on farms throughout Skyrim.
Rock Warbler Egg: Look for these in birds' nests in the mountains, especially in areas with juniper bushes nearby.