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# 🧪Alchemy & Potions

Alchemy allows players to combine Flasks and Essences into powerful consumable potions.

The base recipe is simple:

* **1 Flask**
* **1 Essence**
* **1 Potion**

The Flask determines the tier.

The Essence determines the potion effect.

### Where ingredients come from

Flasks mainly come from [Fishing](/cave/gathering.md) and some combat drops.

Essences come from [Combat](/cave/combat.md).

This makes alchemy a bridge between gathering and PvE.

### Potion effects

| Potion family | Small                  | Medium                  | Large                   |
| ------------- | ---------------------- | ----------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Healing       | Heal 15 HP instantly   | Heal 30 HP instantly    | Heal 50 HP instantly    |
| Speed         | +25% speed for 90s     | +35% speed for 120s     | +50% speed for 180s     |
| Damage        | +25% damage for 90s    | +40% damage for 120s    | +50% damage for 180s    |
| Gathering     | +25% gathering for 90s | +35% gathering for 120s | +50% gathering for 180s |

Healing potions restore health instantly.

Speed potions help with escapes and repositioning.

Damage potions improve clear speed.

Gathering potions increase raw income on long runs.

### NPC alchemy tax

Alex charges an extra matching essence on potion crafting.

| Potion family    | NPC tax              |
| ---------------- | -------------------- |
| Healing potion   | +1 Healing Essence   |
| Speed potion     | +1 Speed Essence     |
| Damage potion    | +1 Damage Essence    |
| Gathering potion | +1 Gathering Essence |

### Island alchemy

Island alchemy removes Alex's extra tax.

It also unlocks brewing in stages:

| Alchemy level | Effect                            |
| ------------- | --------------------------------- |
| Level 1       | Cannot brew potions               |
| Level 2       | Healing potions unlock            |
| Level 3       | Speed potions unlock              |
| Level 4       | Gathering + Damage potions unlock |

For station details, see [Islands & Stations](/cave/islands-and-stations.md).

### Why alchemy matters

Alchemy turns activity from other systems into immediate power.

It rewards players who prepare before dangerous runs, boss routes, or long farming sessions.


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