Skillup Route

[Madrel]

I have looked in the Learn a Skill section for Alchemy, and on this message board. Has anyone created a "Skillup Route for Alchemy" which maximizes bang for the buck? For example: there are several recipies which trivial at 80, but some cost 10pp per combine, some cost 15pp per combine, and some cost 25pp per combine. These numbers are ficticious, but you get the idea. With the cost of Alchemy what it is, I think such a guide would be invaluable.

If such a thing exists, please point me that direction. If not, would it be worthwhile to create it?

[Krazick]

Alchemy Prices Page does cover many of the prices. However, please note the prices listed are -NOT- being extracted from the database. This page is thereby out of date. It would, however, be a starting point.

As for finding the route that "minimizes" cost... I would say take the list, throw out any duplicate trivial/cost rows, and then toss rows where the trivials are the same, but the cost is higher.

That will leave you with your minimal cost list.

If you wish to build such a "minimal cost list" I am sure we can post it up and give you credit.

[mewkus]

The list I used (pre LoY / LDoN / GoD) was:

Blood of Wolf 37 birthwart, fenugreek, wolf blood 5.25pp
Skin of Ro 57 lady's mantle, hyssop 6.3pp
Power 83 lucern, fenugreek, blue vervain bulb 8.4pp
Heat 96 sage leaf, benzoin, blue vervain bulb 8.4pp
Purity 103 lucern, night shade, blue vervain bulb 8.4pp
Kilva's Skin of Flame 136 jatamasi, clubmoss, clover 27.3pp
Titan 180 maliak leaf, tri-fern leaf 10.5pp
Hawk's Eye 191 trifern leaf, star reach clover 18.9pp (if bought correctly)

there are other cheaper potions to make than Kilva's but since that was a potion that I could actually use (damage shield) i made those instead. The level 2 awareness potions trivial at 116 and cost around 11.5pp to make.

As far as 'bang for the buck', this is alchemy. There is no bang for the buck. It's just a big plat sinkhole. Whatever you make has about a 3sp sell back value or less.

[The Judge, Alchem]

Actually Mewkus's guide is almost exactly what I did. I had a Monk alt so I used the potions for him, but now they are so useful in zones where a DS would help and there's no Druid/Mage or a inconsiderate Ranger. Every once in a while I would throw out a new potion there to see what it would do and see if it stacks with so and so. Have fun with Alchemy while skilling up or you'll hate yourself when you get through.

[Ikthus]

I have recently started alchemy (35 now) and have been looking for a decent guide myself. This comprehensive guide fits what I need exactly. I have one question, though, and this is, should I go straight to the DS potion at the next level, or should I go for aquatic haunt or unlife awareness (both triv 42)?

[The Judge, Alchem]

No one really uses those potions because of the component needed. I know it's not really a hassle to take up two more slots, but to some it is. Depending on price is how I would go if you don't plan on high end gaming. I'm still using out of my supply at lower levels for my groups and raids today in PoP. The inestment of those potions can coincide with your level progress. The faster you level the faster you can make more potions. And those DS potions add higher DS depending on the users level as well, so that's an added benefit.

--And don't forget you can now get free skill-ups via Abysmal Sea.

[Ikthus]

Aye, wish I knew that sooner . I do plan on getting higher (Ikthus just happens to be the only character on Sol Ro, and I am doing some tradeskilling with him), and to know that what I'm using has a purpose is good. Thanks for the input. Also, do you know of where I can find a guide to the AS free skill ups? I have looked over these boards and have yet to find anything.

[Tudani]

Look under GoD quests, and there should be some info. (Main page, quests in the side bar, GoD.)

[Ruthey]

It almost seems making a potion, like Mystical Infusion, that folks can really use is a better way to skill up. I just end up throwing a lot of my Titan potions or giving them away, eventually.

[The Judge, Alchem]

Don't forget Ruthey you can also put those worthless potions towards Tribute now. How ever little the profit or points gained seems to be, it would be a lot better than just giving them away, unless you're all about charity. Nothing wrong with charity either, but I hate seeing people under the wronf impression about the usefullness of these utility potions can serve.

Don't get me wrong, I been a Shaman for 4 years and know all about how "useful" most of these potions can be, but you have to be creative. I have Warriors who are just now getting introduced to our DS potions. They won't know about em if we don't bring em. I can't tell you how much a DS potion brought by me like usual has saved the day and made everyones time a little bit better because of it. Or Dulsehound for short but dangerous encounters. Awareness potions, come on an extra stackable mana reduction for that little of cost? - I'm in even if I weren't a Shaman.

It's all worth it, no matter how you look at it. I love tradeskilling, and more than that I love having maxed with a trophy that was only available to my class. Most Shamans on my server don't do Alchemy, and the ones who want to start get told not to bother with it because of the cost. It truly is a labor of love, enjoy my friends.

You're right in the aspect of it would be better to make the Mystical Infusion potions and skill up that way. But those are expensive when you succeed, think about when you fail. Most tradeskills I have encountered, it's better to stay a nice but fair step, not leap, above your current trivial.

[Ikthus]

Since the above post, I am now at 50 in alchemy. It is indeed an expensive tradeskill, especially when you have no higher character to fund the venture, but I enjoy seeing the skill ups, and making something is a pleasure.

[Nolrog]

Can you use your training points in Alchemy, like a caster can do with research? I think you can do this with poison too.

[Lickity]

Unless this has been changed, no you cannot raise Alchemy like Poison/Research.

[Duncan]

Good guide

I have found Ugzug's guide to alchemy to be quite useful (on a par with the excellent Zeralenn's guide to smithing...)

The guide is nicely formatted in .pdf - I have it printed out and in a ring binder with my other TS stuff. I thought I had gotten to it from a link here at eqtraders, but perhaps not. The author doesn't mention a homepage -but lists his guild as Brothers of Darkness (http://www.thebod.org) perhaps one could search there for him...

[Rewde]

I posted a small guide in the guides section, as I just took my friends shaman to 196 in about 5 hours time. I did not use some of the items in the list, but most of them. I made it using cheapest/ trivial method. Some of the ones listed were done with a specific toon in mind for using. There are some trivial points at which there are several recipies with same costs, but different results. Check on those as to which you are most likely to use/sell, and substitute the appropriate recipie. Good luck in your skilling up. It is a little expensive, but not as bad as tailoring or smithing. I think I spent close to 15 to 18k.