Easy Money in the Early Game

An optimized process for bulk producing Marigold Decoctions early game, and thereby making money hand over fist.

Introduction

Money makes the world go round, and the best way to grind money early in KCD1 was to bulk-produce Marigold Decoctions and then sell them to any merchant who will buy until they run out of money. This seems to be true in KCD2 as well.

Autobrew has been removed, so we'll be producing items by hand. Thus, an optimized process is essential. Thankfully, I have found a fairly efficient brewing routine, which I will impart to you at no cost.

(Also there are some perks which can give us many more potions per brew; see below.)

Where to Brew

In the starting settlement of Troskowitz, enter the Apothecary's front gate and turn right. You will see a bunch of Marigolds (orange flowers) and a shed.

Inside this shed is an Alchemy Bench and a Drying Rack, both of which are free for you to use at no cost.

Note that the Alchemy Bench behind the Apothecary in his shop is in a trespass zone. If you try to work at that one, bad things will happen to you.

What You'll Need

• One (1) sh*tload of Nettles
  
• Two (2) sh*tloads of Marigolds

Nettles grow near people's walls, houses, etc. In and around towns, in other words. They're everywhere once you start looking for them. They grow elsewhere too, of course, but why go out of your way?

Marigolds can be found growing in the Apothecary's garden, and all over the place out in the fields. As far as I can tell from not much testing, you should be okay to pick any of the herbs in the Alchemist's garden. Nobody's yelled at me yet, anyway. No guarantees, so take their stuff at your own risk.

I prefer to go out and harvest in the fields; it feels like less of a jerk move and Marigolds are stupidly easy to find due to their bright color.

The Routine

I'm going to assume you know the basics of alchemy, since you were run through this at the herbalist's hut during the intro.

NOTE: You do NOT need to purchase the recipe!!!

It will be added to your book after you make something vaguely close to a Marigold Decoction for the first time. I followed my half-remembered recipe from KCD1 and got a Weak Marigold Decoction and the recipe first try. Also note that the recipe is slightly different in KCD2.

So, the routine.
1. Pour water
2. Add 1x handful of Nettles to cauldron
3. Lower cauldron (NO bellows!)
4. Add 2x handfuls of Marigold to mortar
5. Grind
6. Put ground Marigold on plate (NOT in cauldron!)
7. Raise cauldron
8. Add plate to cauldron
9. Pour

Work as fast as the game will let you for steps 4 to 7!!!

If you worked as fast as possible on the grinding and didn't put the Marigold in while the pot was still boiling, you should have a normal-strength Marigold Decoction... or a Strong Marigold Decoction with the Secret of Secrets perk (see below).

Highly Advised Perks

• Potion Seller - 30% buff to sale prices of your potions. Duh.
  
• Secret of Matter - Get an extra potion from each brew cycle. Adds up real quick.
  
• Secret of Matter II - Bumps the bonus to 3 extra potions. Brew, baby, brew!
  
• Secret of Secrets - When you follow a recipe exactly, you get Strong potions instead of normal ones. These have better effects generally. In monetary terms, Strong Marigold Decoctions are worth 50 grochen each (in theory) while regular ones are worth 40 each (again, in theory).

Disclaimer

This guide is based on only about an hour's worth of testing. If I got anything wrong please tell me in the comments and I will make edits if necessary.

Remember, if you don't work AT TOP SPEED during the boiling section, the Nettle will overcook and you'll get Weak potions. How much leeway you have I don't know, but you have a lot of time to prepare for your next action during the animations so I've had no difficulty whatsoever. YMMV.

[Random Rock]

also just playing normally by doing quests, exploring, and picking stuff up to sell it along the way works too

[Archangel]

@Arlian - Good to know, thanks! :)

[Arlian]

Strong Marigold has a value of 50, but Strong Lions Perfume has a value of 70 and takes the same amount of time. You would be better off making Lions Perfume if you wanted to maximize your profits.

Liquid base: Spirits
Ingredients: 2 x Sage, 2 x Mint

Add 2 Sage to the cauldron.
Boil for 2 turns (no bellows)
Add 2 Mint to the mortar, grind, and pour into the cauldron.
Pour into phial.

You can buy dried Sage and Mint from the alchemist in Troskowitz or pop down to Bozhena who sells them fresh. You can also find them in the wild but it's not really worth the effort unless you want to level up Survival.

[RealLisaFromBlackPink]

just rob ez money