All alchemical ingredients contain one of six basic substances: aether, hydragenum, quebrith, rebis, vermilion and vitriol, but there are also three additional substances: albedo, nigredo and rubedo. Any given ingredient contains only a single basic substance and potentially one additional, or secondary substance. If all ingredients selected to create a given potion (and only a potion, not an oil or a bomb) contain the same additional substance, the resulting potion will provide some additional benefits over a similar potion which uses ingredients which have no secondary substance or varying secondary substances.
Finally there are special ingredients. There are only a few of these and they contain neither basic nor additional substances. Their alchemical properties are inherent and unique.
Potions using additional substances
| Icon | Name | Effect | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Albedo | Reduces the toxicity of any subsequently imbibed potions. | 1 hour |
|
Nigredo | Increases damage by 20%. | 4 hours |
|
Rubedo | Increases the regeneration rate of vitality. | 4 hours |
Notes
- Drinking an Albedo potion when you already have the Albedo effect will not reduce toxicity further. The effects do not stack.
Glossary Entry
Additional Substances
- An alchemical ingredient can contain one of three additional substances: albedo, nigredo or rubedo. If all of the ingredients chosen for the creation of a potion have identical additional substances, the resulting potion will provide additional benefits beyond its basic effect.
- Source: Basics of Alchemy - Albedo potions: characterized by a lower level of toxicity.
- Nigredo potions: affect coordination and concentration, increasing damage inflicted on opponents.
- Rubedo potions: aside from the potion's primary effect, it also regenerates lost Vitality.
Albedo
Albedo is an additional, or secondary substance which is present in some alchemical ingredients in addition to the primary substance. If all ingredients used to create a given potion contain albedo as an additional substance, the potion created reduces the toxicity of any subsequently imbibed potions.
Nigredo
Nigredo is an additional, or secondary substance which is present in some alchemical ingredients in addition to the primary substance. If all ingredients used to create a given potion contain nigredo as an additional substance, the resulting potion will positively affect Geralt's coordination and focus, increasing his chances of hitting opponents.
Rubedo
Rubedo is an additional, or secondary substance which is present in some alchemical ingredients in addition to the primary substance. If all ingredients used to create a given potion contain rubedo as an additional substance, the resulting potion will increase the regeneration rate of vitality in addition to the potion's original effect.
Special ingredients
Special ingredients are unique items which can be obtained by slaying particular monsters, and occasionally, from plants. These can be used to create special mutagenic potions with powerful effects (often granting additional talents to be used to obtain skills, or granting special skills directly).