Witcher 3: Top 15 Best Decoctions (And How To Make Them)
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There’s no denying that Geralt of Rivia is one beast of a human (if you can even consider him one). Trained in Kaer Morhen from childhood, and undergoing extreme mutations, he’s super fast, strong, and skilled.
However, even the best of witchers may need an alchemical helping hand from time to time.
A concept which I’m sure we’re all familiar with after downing countless bottles of Swallow throughout our time in the Continent.
This is where decoctions step in, as they provide a number of buffs that enhance Geralt’s abilities significantly.
They can last 30 minutes, though the downside is that they typically increase your toxicity by 70 – as such, be sure to invest skill points in your Alchemy skill tree into perks that increase maximum Toxicity. Especially if you plan on using several decoctions.
But which ones should you be using? I’ll break down the best decoctions in the game right here.
Though their usefulness can vary depending on how you choose to build your witcher, every single one of these decoctions has the potential to turn your monster hunter into a monster himself.
15. Noonwraith Decoction
Description:Significantly reduces effects of Knockdown, Hypnosis, Stun and Blindness effects
Being hypnotised, stunned, blinded, or knocked down while trying to defeat an enemy might be one of the most irritating aspects of Witcher 3 combat.
However, you needn’t fear difficult enemies with this decoction.
It’ll make you almost immune to these effects.
Recipe location: Obtain from Tomira the Herbalist in White Orchard, or from Kaer Trolde Harbor
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Noonwraith Mutagen
1x Ginatia Petals
1x Ergot Seeds
14. Troll Decoction
Description:Regenerate additional Vitality during and outside of combat
If you can even bring yourself to kill and harvest the claws off of one of these lovely creatures (though there are definitely some less-than-loveable ones out there), this decoction is excellent for survivability.
Both in and out of combat.
You’ll see Vitality Regen +100/s when you’re outside combat, and +20 per second inside combat.
Recipe location: Tomira in White Orchard, or by reading World Underground
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Troll Claw
1x Crow’s Eye
1x Honeysuckle
13. Doppler Decoction
Description:Increases critical hit damage when attacking from behind
Though getting behind an enemy can be difficult in this game, this decoction is great if you’re going for a crit build and want an extra boost of damage.
It’s really pretty basic: you’ll get a 50% increase in critical hit damage. Basic, but powerful.
Definitely something worth keeping around.
Recipe location: Within the abandoned campsite east of the Cemetery in White Orchard, or within the elven ruins in Byways.
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Doppler Mutagen
1x Han Fibre
1x Longrube
12. Fiend Decoction
Description:Increases the amount of weight the witcher can carry without being overburdened
I’m sure we all know how much a chore being over-encumbered is… and sometimes the items we’re holding are too valuable to throw away.
This problem can be eliminated by this decoction, so you can carry on with your (reasonably paced) adventures. Basically it increases your maximum inventory weight by 20, which can help at certain points of your next playthrough.
Recipe location: From the Herbalist you save in Skellige, from a bandit camp northwest of Inn at the Crossroads, or from reading Beasts of the Tukaj Foothills.
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Fiend Mutagen
1x Hellebore Petals
1x Fool’s Parsley Leaves
1x Arenaria
11. Leshen Decoction
Description:A portion of the damage dealt by enemies is reflected back on the attacker
If you’re dealing with a difficult enemy that deals brutal amounts of damage, then you may want to give it a taste of its own medicine. Well, some kind of medicine, or at least this decoction.
You can also punish your foe further by using Quen – and although you will not take damage, your enemy will still receive all the reflected damage. Win-win!
Recipe location: Random
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Leshen Mutagen
1x Moleyarrow
1x Pringrape
10. Water Hag Decoction
Description:Damage dealt is increased when Vitality is at its maximum.
Your ears may prick up at the sight of +50% additional damage, and for good reason!
With this, you’ll be able to cut and slice your way through the main storyline with ease.
However, imagine yourself trying to maintain maximum Vitality while being harassed by several wraiths, and you can start to see the problem.
That’s why the Water Hag Decoction is best used in combination with a Vitality-restoring decoction such as Ekimmara or Ekhidna Decoction.
Recipe location: Once you clear the Abandoned site near Hangman’s Alley, you can visit the herbalist at the nearby shore
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Water Hag Mutagen
1x Bebercane Fruit
9. Chort Decoction
Description:Complete resistance to the Stagger effect, reduces the Knockdown effect to Stagger
If you’ve felt the frustration of being staggered or knocked down, then having to wait for your bumbling oaf of a witcher to get up, this decoction is perfect.
Best used against annoyingly hard-hitting enemies, it will allow you to deflect these kinds of blows and make your fight a lot less tedious.
Recipe location: In the elven ruins in Byways during the Wandering in the Dark quest
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Chort Mutagen
1x Puffball
1x Cortinarius
8. Wyvern Decoction
Description:Each blow landed on an enemy increases Attack Power until either the fight ends or damage is taken (other than that from potion Toxicity)
Though a +1% Attack Power increase per blow may not seem all that impressive compared to other damage buffs, you’ll really start to feel the difference when dishing out swings left and right to a large group of enemies.
To avoid losing your Attack Power stack, you can use the Quen sign, which will absorb most damage.
Recipe location: The Royal Palace in Vizima
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Wyvern Mutagen
1x Moleyarrow
1x Celandine
7. Ekhidna Decoction
Description:Performing actions that consume Stamina restore Vitality
This decoction is already quite effective by itself. Especially if you’re prone to leaning on Sign casting in battle.
But pair it with Archgriffin Decoction and you’ll become an absolute tank, dealing agonizingly strong attacks that will heal you a significant amount with each hit.
Recipe location: Obtained by reading Journey to the End of the World
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Ekhidna Mutagen
1x Ribleaf
1x Bebercane Fruit
6. Archgriffin Decoction
Description:If any Stamina is available, strong strikes consume all of it and reduce the struck foe’s Vitality by 5% after their normal damage is calculated
Archgriffin Decoction offers a solid damage buff.
Especially for those who prefer to deal large amounts of damage in a single hit through strong attacks.
With this decoction, you’ll rip and tear through your enemies with ease.
Recipe location: The camp in Devil’s Pit, or randomly in treasure chests
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Archgriffin Mutagen
1x Ribleaf
1x Blowball
5. Nightwraith Decoction
Description:Geralt’s maximum Vitality is increased with each foe killed. This increase lasts until he meditates or fast travels.
This decoction is similar to the Wyvern decoction, so it’s great if you’re up against a large group of foes… except you needn’t worry about getting hit (though take care to not get hit one too many times).
If you’re quick enough, you could even use this to farm vitality near a difficult boss fight.
Recipe location: You can buy it at the refugee camp in Velen, or you can clear out abandoned sites and visit the herbalists that sometimes spawn nearby.
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Nightwraith Mutagen
1x Mistletoe
1x Sewant Mushrooms
4. Ancient Leshen Decoction
Description:Each Sign cast increases Stamina regeneration for the remainder of the fight
If you’re playing a hybrid build that uses both Signs and melee attacks, this decoction is great to keep handy.
It’s so easy to run out of Stamina over time. So having it regen quickly is vital, just so you aren’t left defenseless in the middle of a tough fight.
Recipe location: In the chest Allgod hid, or in the courtyard exterior of Triss’ first apartment in Novigrad
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Ancient Leshen Mutagen
1x Mandrake Root
1x Ginatia Petals
1x Honeysuckle
3. Ekimmara Decoction
Description:Damage dealt to foes restores Vitality
The Ekimmara Decoction may give you a rather basic buff… but that’s where its beauty lies.
This decoction can be used with any build and is useful in every situation.
Combine this with the Water Hag Decoction and you’ll be practically invincible! Well, for a period.
Recipe location: In a chest close to the riverbank south of the Ransacked Village in White Orchard, or in Drahim Castle
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Ekimmara Mutagen
1x White Myrtle Petals
1x Mandrake Root
2. Succubus Decoction
Description:Attack Power grows over the course of a fight until reaching a maximum threshold
Let me preface this by saying: if you make this decoction, then you’re probably evil.
To craft it, you need to kill at least one of the two succubi in the game, neither of which deserve to be killed (though jealous wives and lovers may beg to differ).
However, that isn’t to say that the Succubus Decoction isn’t powerful. It can be used if you’re struggling against even the toughest of bosses, as it can increase your DPS significantly.
Specifically you’ll get an increasing attack power of 1% higher every 2 seconds, up to a maximum of 30% higher attack at the 1-minute mark.
Recipe location: From the herbalist in Kaer Trole Harbour, or from reading Journey to the End of the World.
Recipe:
1x Dwarven Spirit
1x Succubus Mutagen
1x Green Mold
1x Allspice
1. Reliever Decoction
Description: Increases damage dealt and decreases damage taken against wraiths
More specifically:
– +10% Damage to Wraiths
– +15% Resistance to Slashing, Piercing, Bludgeoning, Monster and Elemental Damage
If anyone reading this groans at the thought of having to fight a wraith, know that you are not alone.
Their ability to teleport and become incorporeal can make them incredibly irritating to fight. Which makes the Reliever Decoction, well… a relief.
This decoction also offers resistance to several different damages, making it incredibly versatile for all enemy types. But by default it breaks down to a 10% extra damage to wraiths, and a 15% resistance to slashing, piercing, bludgeoning, plus monster & elemental damage.
Recipe location: In the Mage’s Tower northwest of the Road to Bald Mountain, close to the coast of Fyke Isle. It can also be found at the Guarded Treasure southwest of Ferry Station
