RELATED: Skyrim: All Fearsome Fists Gauntlets
These potions were created with Lvl 15 Alchemy and no perks spent in the skill tree. Training Alchemy will significantly raise the quality and value of these potions – for example, at level 100 Alchemy with five perks spent in the Alchemist skill, a Potion of Waterbreathing made from Garlic, Nordic Barnacle, and Salmon Roe is worth more than three times its normal amount.
Updated April 26, 2022 by Erik Petrovich: When it comes to making the most expensive potions Skyrim is capable of producing, there are a ton of options. Most of the recipes described here have several alternate versions that only require one replacement ingredient, usually at little to no impact on the Potion’s overall value. In making expensive potions Skyrim lets players focused on Alchemy have a reliable source of income, and it’s quite lucrative if you know what you’re doing. While the most expensive potions in Skyrim require exotic materials, it’s surprising how many common ingredients go into some of the most valuable brews - Giant’s Toe and Wheat, for example, are a classic two-ingredient combo that uses very easy to farm materials.
Potions – Carry Weight, Illusion, Stamina, Health, Waterbreathing
In large part thanks to the Rare Curios creation, these five Potions sell for far more than other Potions that players can brew in Skyrim. Items like the Coda Flower, Lichor, and Heart of Order are only acquirable from Khajiit Merchants, but not all of these valuable Potions are restricted to ingredients from the creation.
RELATED: Skyrim: Every New Rare Curios Item (And What They Do)
For example, most Potions of Waterbreathing that the player creates will sell for more than the other four Potions listed here, even if it is made with different ingredients. The recipes listed here are the highest-ranking versions of these potions. After removing repeats, these are the five most valuable Potions in Skyrim.
Potion of Invisibility - Chaurus Eggs, Garlic, Luna Moth Wing
Value: 389 Gold Effects: Invisibility, Recover Health, Fortify Stamina, and Drain Magicka
Chaurus Eggs can be harvested en masse in Chaurus tunnels, usually connected to Falmer caves. Garlic is found on farms throughout Skyrim and can be purchased as an ingredient from alchemists regularly. Luna Moth Wings are found at night near cliffs and rocks, usually near the more easily seen Torchbugs that also spawn at night.
Potion of Fortify Carry Weight - Burnt Spriggan Wood, River Betty, Coda Flower
Value: 486 Gold Effects: Fortify Carry Weight and Alteration, Damage Health, Slow
Burnt Spriggan Wood is dropped by Burnt Spriggans on Solstheim, River Betties can be found in Skyrim’s rivers and lakes, and the Coda Flower can be bought from Khajiit Merchants as part of the Rare Curios creation. Regular Spriggan Wood can be used as a replacement, though the Potion won’t be as valuable.
Potion of Fortify Health - Creep Cluster, Giant’s Toe, Wheat
Value: 587 Gold Effects: Fortify Health and Carry Weight, Damage Stamina Recovery
Creep Cluster can be found throughout Skyrim, especially in Solstheim and around Windhelm. Giant’s Toe is looted off of Giants, and Wheat can be found in just about any Farm in the province.
Potion of Fortify Illusion - Dwarven Oil, Lichor, Watcher’s Eye
Value: 622 Gold Effects: Fortify Illusion and Magicka, Restore Magicka, Regenerate Magicka, Spell Absorption.
Dwarven Oil is found on Dwarven Constructs, and both Lichor and Watcher’s Eye are bought from Khajiit Merchants as part of the Rare Curios creation.
Potion of Fortify Stamina - Boar Tusk, Giant’s Toe, Large Antlers
Value: 823 Gold Effects: Fortify Stamina and Health, Damage Stamina Regen
Boar Tusks are looted from Bristlebacks in Solstheim, Giant’s Toe is found on dead Giants, and Large Antlers are looted from Deer, making this a relatively common Potion to make.
Potion of Fortify Health - Bloodgrass, Elytra Ichor, Heart of Order
Value: 1095 Gold Effects: Fortify Health, Invisibility, Slow
Bloodgrass is found in the Deadlands as part of the creation The Cause, and Elytra Ichor and Hearts of Order are bought from Khajiit merchants as part of the Rare Curios creation.
Potion of Waterbreathing - Boar Tusk, Fungus Stalk, Salmon Roe
Value: 1891 Effects: Waterbreathing, Fortify Stamina and Health
Boar Tusk can be looted from Bristlebacks, Salmon Roe is harvested by catching Salmon in the wild near waterfalls, and Fungus Stalks can be bought from Khajiit Merchants as part of the Rare Curios creation.
Poisons – Stamina, Magicka Regen, Health, Paralysis, Slow
While the title of the most valuable item an Alchemist can brew goes to a Potion, Poisons are more valuable across the board, when brewed with the right ingredients. Just like with Potions, these Poisons largely include ingredients added by Creation Club elements, like the Rare Curios, The Cause, and Saints and Seducers creations.
RELATED: Skyrim: Everything You Should Know About Dead Man’s Dread
Many of these Poisons are still worth a lot when made with other ingredients, but the most valuable version each can be made with the listed ingredients. When these repeats are accounted for, though, these are the five most valuable Poisons Skyrim lets players brew.
Poison of Damage Magicka Regen - Butterfly Wing, Blue Mountain Flower, Hanging Moss
Value: 297 Gold Effects: Damage Magicka Recovery, Fortify Health and Conjuration
Butterfly Wings, Blue Mountain Flowers, and Hanging Moss are incredibly common ingredients, making this a reliable source of income for players who pick up everything they see. Butterfly Wings and Blue Mountain Flowers can be found along most roads in mainland Skyrim, and Hanging Moss is found inside and outside caves.
Poison of Slow - Blue Dartwing, Poison Bloom, River Betty
Value: 483 Gold Effects: Slow, Damage Health, Fear, and Fortify Carry Weight
Blue Dartwings can be found near bodies of water in Skyrim, especially lakes like near Falkreath. Poison Bloom is found exclusively in Darkfall Passage, part of the Dawnguard DLC. River Betties can be picked up in most major water sources and even can be fished up from some locations, too. Alternative to Poison Bloom that lower the value of the Poison include Large Antlers and Salt Pile.
Poison of Damage Stamina Regen - Creep Cluster, Marshmerrow, Saltrice
Value: 499 Gold Effects: Damage Stamina Regen, Weakness to Magic, Restore Health, Fortify Carry Weight
Creep Clusters can be found throughout Skyrim (but especially around Windhelm and Solstheim), and both Marshmerrow and Saltrice can be bought from Khajiit Merchants as part of the Rare Curios creation.
Poison of Damage Magicka Regen - Harrada, Minotaur Horn, Purple Butterfly Wing
Value: 878 Gold Effects: Damage Magicka Regen, Paralysis, Regenerate Health and Magicka
Harrada can be found in the Deadlands as part of the creation The Cause, Purple Butterfly Wings can be harvested from Purple Butterflies in Solitude as part of the Saints and Seducers creation, and Minotaur Horns can be bought from Khajiit Merchants as part of the Rare Curios creation.
Poison of Damage Health - Jarrin Root, Poison Bloom, Worm’s Head Cap
Value: 958 Gold Effects: Damage Health, Slow, Fortify Carry Weight
Jarrin Root can be found only once in the game during the Dark Brotherhood questline, Poison Bloom can be found in Darkfall Passage, and Worm’s Head Cap can be bought from Khajiit Merchants as part of the Rare Curios creation. An alternative to Jarrin Root is the Scalon Fin, but both of these items are about as rare as eachother.
Poison of Paralysis - Daedra Silk, Elytra Ichor, Rot Scale
Value: 1285 Gold Effects: Paralysis, Slow, Fear, Invisibility
Rot Scales can be found in the Solitude Sewers as part of the Saints and Seducers creation, while Elytra Ichor and Daedra Silk must be bought from Khajiit Merchants as part of the Rare Curios creation.
Poison of Slow - Green Butterfly Wing, Rot Scale
Value: 1307 Gold Effects: Slow, Fear
Green Butterfly Wings can be harvested from Green Butterflies throughout the province, and Rot Scale is bought from Khajiit Merchants as part of the Rare Curios creation.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S
MORE: The Complete Guide to Skyrim - Items, Quests, Mods, Builds, and Tips
