Potions? Alchemist Kit?

[Matita]

So I was DMing last week and one of my PCs had an alchemists kit, and was asking me "Hey does this mean I can make potions?" and I saidYeah!Totally! I have no idea how potions work, or atleast how a PC could craft them, would it be of materials they can buy? Or are they shooting fireballs into a bottle and calling it a Potion of Firebolt... Clarification would be nice I've read a few things on how potion making works some of it makes sense most of it flies right over my head though. So basically how does the Alchemist Kit work? Can it make potions? Also since my PC wants to craft potions how does Potion making work as an in-game mechanic?

 

[Storyteller Hero]

So I was DMing last week and one of my PCs had an alchemists kit, and was asking me "Hey does this mean I can make potions?" and I saidYeah!Totally! I have no idea how potions work, or atleast how a PC could craft them, would it be of materials they can buy? Or are they shooting fireballs into a bottle and calling it a Potion of Firebolt... Clarification would be nice I've read a few things on how potion making works some of it makes sense most of it flies right over my head though. So basically how does the Alchemist Kit work? Can it make potions? Also since my PC wants to craft potions how does Potion making work as an in-game mechanic?

There aren't any set crafting rules per se. There are optional magic item creation rules in the DMGuide, but for potions they might be a bit convoluted. For kits, I'd say one would need an herbalism kit for potions. The alchemist kit can make things like gunpowder, lamp oil, acid, sealing wax, candle wax, purified water, etc.

Unless he's trying to invent a new item or something incredibly rare, I'd recommend just do it in the background during a long rest without checks - within reason.

The PC also needs to be proficient with the tool set.

If you got someone who wants to make potions, you can check out the Equipment section of The Artificer on the DMGuild for extra options.

http://www.dmsguild.com/product/174669/THE-ARTIFICER-5e-Class-

 

[Matita]

Oooh thank you very much!

I'll spout this off as if it were self obtained knowledge at my next session XD.

 

[Al2O3]

I think the herbalism kit let you craft a potion of healing at half the price listed in the equipment section (I don't recall the time needed, could be noted there as well or follow the downtime crafting rules). I think that alchemy kit should be the same way with alchemist's fire from the PHB.

 

[GMMichael]

So I was DMing last week and one of my PCs had an alchemists kit, and was asking me "Hey does this mean I can make potions?" and I saidYeah!Totally!

Good answer, bad timing.

If potions are common in the world, let your PC make whatever he wants for half price, provided he can roll above a 10 for it. Also, since he didn't specify what "type" of potions, you'd probably want to limit them to alchemy purposes: chemistry-type-stuff that you wouldn't want to drink.

If they're not common, make him do some legwork, go on an adventure or two, make whatever he wants, and not charge for it.

 

[Ancalagon]

To me an alchemist kit is a way to make alchemical items. The older editions have a lot more alchemical items that I'm not seeing in the 5e PhB, and could be raided for ideas.

For potions of healing:

It seems that potions of healing are *the* exception to "magical items aren't bought and sold like (super expensive) candy" premise of 5e. Fair enough. But you have to ask yourself "where are these potions coming from?"

One option is that they are being cranked out by various temples as a means to raise funds. This is the most "safe" option.

For the next options you have say yes to "can potion making allow wizards to have healing magic?"

Then wizards are *also* making healing potions to make a bit of money. This will probably require strange ingredients such as troll's blood. You can't just create potions out of thin air. And they are *magical* potions. Creating them requires magic - either from the maker, or from the ingredients.

For other potions:

Potion of healing is the only common magical item. The recipe is probably well known. Other potions need special recipes and special ingredients, which is why they are rarer. The alchemist supplies is really the least of your worries.

 

[Al2O3]

Potion of healing takes 10 days of downtime to craft, consumes raw material worth 25gp and requires proficiency in herbalism kit (equipment list prices+description of herbalism kit+crafting as downtime activity).

Change herbalism kit for alchemist's supplies and I would say the same thing works for alchemist's fire and possibly vial of acid.

 

[Matita]

Good answer, bad timing.

If potions are common in the world, let your PC make whatever he wants for half price, provided he can roll above a 10 for it. Also, since he didn't specify what "type" of potions, you'd probably want to limit them to alchemy purposes: chemistry-type-stuff that you wouldn't want to drink.

If they're not common, make him do some legwork, go on an adventure or two, make whatever he wants, and not charge for it.

He actually didn't end up making a potion at the time, it was his turn during a combat encounter I guess he saw it while he was looking through his inventory, we were fighting a Troll and he threw and Alchemist fire so he must've seen it in his inv. among his stuff while looking.