What's up with the alchemy?

[Curcă]

It seems doing things literally by the book rarely gives you the strong potions, I'm mainly talking about the schnapps. For some reason Henry always says the belladonna boiled too much despite leaving it for exactly 1 turn. The ingredients are fresh, and I did listen when Bozena said every second counts yet Henry always complains?

[Krono]

I had the same problem, basically I was making all the potions the same way I did in KCD1.

When it says boil for one turn, you have to actually lift it after one turn before adding the next ingredients and such.

You also turn the sandglass the instant you drop the cauldron, you don’t wait for visible bubbles in the cauldron.

If it ever asks for bellows, only hit the bellows a single time.

[MrMinMax]

Opposite to another post, lol.

You have to differentiate between boiling and bellows boiling.

1st one, you drop the cauldron, wait for steam and then flip the clock, wait, lift the cauldron. 2nd one you drop the cauldron, flip the clock, hit the bellows 2-3 times (for 1 turn), lift the cauldron.

If some potion has grinding, I usually prepare it beforehand and put into the prep bowl. Saves time on re-checking the book.

Best moneymaking potion is Lion's perfume. 90 groschens default price with a master alchemist perk. Take one perk for quality improvement, that allows the use of dried plants without quality loss.

[SpidersInABirthdayCake]

Did you raise the cauldron up after the one turn?

[Krono]

This dude was pretty helpful to me for seeing the exact steps of each option in action:

https://youtu.be/U8oN_iv3suw?si=ofutZL1wNSHq1u2t

[Maiskolben]

I didn't make anything with bellows, but you first input the ingredient, lower the pot and then you turn the clock directly. after the clock is done (or even a little bit earlier) you raise the pot.

This will give you strong potions without any perks that gives you extra time.

[Honey Bun]

I’ve had no issues with alchemy, only weird clipping issues with black smithing for one specific sword at one specific forge

[alka]

For Savior Schnapps, you don't need to use the bellows (at least I don't).

Put the wine in, add the Nettles. Lower the cauldron for 2 turns of the timer.
Lift the cauldron. Grind and add the 2 Belladona (or as another poster mentions, have the Belladona pre-ground in a bowl).
Lower the cauldron for 1 more turn of the timer. Lift the cauldron. Pour into vial.

[Krono]

Originally posted by alka:

For Savior Schnapps, you don't need to use the bellows (at least I don't).

Correct, you only use the bellows if the recipe specifically asks for bellows on that step. Otherwise you just drop the cauldron and immediately flip your sandglass

[transparent panda]

I think the problem may be that you are turning the sandglass too early. I flip the sandglass when steam appears and I get the best quality schnapps every time.

[JockMcPlop]

Everyone figures out what works for them eventually.
I have a rhythm going. Prep and add ingredients, lower the cauldron then immediately hit the bellows once and immediately after that turn the hourglass.
I hit the button to either lift the cauldron or turn the hourglass just before the sand runs out (like a second or less before it runs out) just because the animation takes a second.
It always works that way for me, I get the strongest variant 100% of the time.
I don't do anything while the cauldron is boiling, even though that adds some time to the process, i find it gets in the way of the rhythm.

[Kona]

The only problem I have with alchemy is when my dog makes me levitate

[Lieutenant Dan]

user error

[Grey Or Gray]

Only use the bellows if it says bellows boiling in the recipe. Just putting the pot down over the fire will make it boil. It was confusing after recently playing the first game, but I kind of like it better this way.

[[Heretic]Rivga]

Originally posted by Krono:

I had the same problem, basically I was making all the potions the same way I did in KCD1.

When it says boil for one turn, you have to actually lift it after one turn before adding the next ingredients and such.

You also turn the sandglass the instant you drop the cauldron, you don’t wait for visible bubbles in the cauldron.

If it ever asks for bellows, only hit the bellows a single time.

I drop the pot then press Q for the bellows and only after that do I turn the timer. Never seems to fail.

[Kel'Thuzad]

In the case of Schnapps you really don't need higher quality ones, unless you want to sell them. Their main purpose is to save the game, which a Weak schnapps will do (and is quicker to brew, by skipping grinding/boiling etc).

It's hard to say what you're doing wrong without seeing how you're doing it.