To do alchemy in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, follow these steps:
- Get the Necessary Tools
You need a Mortar and Pestle to start making potions. You can find one early in the game (even in the tutorial dungeon), get one for free by joining the Mages Guild, or buy one from alchemy shops such as the Main Ingredient in the Imperial City Market District. Additional apparatus like the Calcinator, Alembic, and Retort improve potion strength, duration, and weight but are optional
- Collect Ingredients
Gather alchemical ingredients from plants, creatures, barrels, and crates throughout the game world. The Frostcrag Spire and Deepscorn Hollow have special gardens to quickly gather many ingredients. Each ingredient has up to four alchemical properties, which you will learn more about as your Alchemy skill increases
- Mix Potions
Open your inventory and use the Mortar and Pestle to enter the alchemy interface. Select at least two ingredients that share a common effect to create a potion. The more effects you discover on ingredients (by leveling your Alchemy skill), the more powerful and complex potions you can make. Higher-level apparatus also enhance potion effects
- Level Up Alchemy
Your Alchemy skill increases by successfully creating potions and by consuming raw ingredients. As your skill improves, you will recognize more properties on ingredients and gain bonuses such as crafting additional potions or making potions from a single ingredient at Master level
- Use and Sell Potions
Potions can provide health, magicka, stamina restoration, buffs, or damaging effects useful in combat and exploration. You can also sell valuable potions to merchants to gain gold and level your Mercantile skill
In summary, alchemy in Oblivion involves acquiring a Mortar and Pestle, gathering ingredients, mixing potions by combining ingredients with shared effects, and leveling your skill to unlock more powerful effects and bonuses. Using additional alchemy apparatus enhances potion potency
