In the vast, magical world of Skyrim, players often seek ways to enhance their weapons, armor, and gear. One of the most powerful tools for this is the Potion of Fortify Enchanting. This potion plays a crucial role in maximizing the strength of enchantments, enabling the Dragonborn to create incredibly powerful items. Whether you’re preparing for a legendary boss battle or simply want to improve your gear, understanding how this potion works and how to craft it can significantly elevate your gameplay experience.
What Is the Potion of Fortify Enchanting?
The Potion of Fortify Enchanting in Skyrim is a consumable item that temporarily boosts your enchanting skill. When you drink this potion, any enchantments you apply to weapons, armor, or jewelry during the potion’s active time will be stronger than usual. This means more effective magical gear that can give you an edge in combat or exploration.
How the Potion Works
The Fortify Enchanting effect typically lasts for 30 seconds, depending on the strength of the potion. Within this time frame, you must apply your desired enchantments. The stronger the potion, the more potent the enchantments you can produce. Because of this, many experienced players use a cycle of alchemy and enchanting to continually boost both skills and craft powerful gear.
Ingredients for Fortify Enchanting Potions
To create a Fortify Enchanting potion, you’ll need two ingredients with the Fortify Enchanting effect. The most common combinations include
- Blue Butterfly Wing
- Snowberries
- Spriggan Sap
- Hagraven Claw
- Chaurus Hunter Antennae
These ingredients can be found in the wild, bought from alchemists, or looted from specific creatures. Combining two of these items at an alchemy lab will allow you to brew a potion that enhances your enchanting abilities.
Recommended Ingredient Pairings
Here are some examples of reliable combinations
- Blue Butterfly Wing + Snowberries
- Hagraven Claw + Spriggan Sap
- Snowberries + Spriggan Sap
Using high-quality alchemy gear or perks from the Alchemy skill tree will further increase the strength of the potion.
How to Maximize the Potion’s Effectiveness
If you’re aiming for the most powerful enchantments possible, you’ll want to stack several buffs and bonuses before crafting or enchanting. Here’s how you can do that
1. Improve Your Alchemy Skill
The higher your Alchemy skill, the stronger your Fortify Enchanting potions will be. Invest in alchemy perks such as Alchemist, Benefactor, and Physician to further boost potion strength. Additionally, crafting potions while wearing alchemy-boosting gear will greatly enhance their effectiveness.
2. Wear Fortify Alchemy Gear
Equip armor and accessories enchanted with Fortify Alchemy before brewing your potion. This includes
- Helmet or Circlet
- Gloves or Bracers
- Necklace
- Ring
Use previously brewed Fortify Enchanting potions to create better Fortify Alchemy gear, then repeat the process. This technique is called alchemy/enchanting loop, and it allows you to stack bonuses incrementally.
3. Use Seeker of Shadows
If you’ve completed the Black Book quest The Sallow Regent in Dragonborn DLC, you can choose the Seeker of Shadows effect, which boosts alchemy by 10%. Activating this bonus before creating your potion gives you an even better result.
Best Times to Use Fortify Enchanting Potions
Timing is crucial when it comes to using Fortify Enchanting potions. These are the ideal moments to take one
- When enchanting gear with key combat effects (e.g., Fortify One-Handed, Resist Magic)
- Before creating Fortify Alchemy gear for future potion crafting
- When preparing equipment for followers or companions
- During late-game preparation for boss fights or difficult quests
Using a Fortify Enchanting potion in the right moment ensures you get the most value out of your magical items.
Where to Find Fortify Enchanting Potions
If you’re not into crafting, Fortify Enchanting potions can be found in various locations across Skyrim. Alchemists and general goods merchants occasionally stock them. You may also discover them in chests, dungeons, or as quest rewards. However, these found potions tend to be weaker than the ones you can brew yourself with a high Alchemy skill and gear enhancements.
Tips for Crafting the Strongest Fortify Enchanting Potion
1. Reach Alchemy Skill 100
Maxing out your Alchemy skill ensures you can unlock all beneficial perks and craft the highest quality potions.
2. Max Out Alchemy Perks
- Alchemist (5/5)Increases potion strength
- BenefactorBoosts helpful potions
- PhysicianEnhances healing and beneficial potions
- PoisonerNot relevant for enchanting, but useful for general gameplay
3. Use the Loop Effectively
Repeat the alchemy/enchanting loop several times
- Craft Fortify Enchanting potion
- Use it to enchant better Fortify Alchemy gear
- Wear the improved gear to create even stronger Fortify Enchanting potion
Continue this loop until diminishing returns set in.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players sometimes make errors that reduce the effectiveness of their enchanting strategy. Avoid these pitfalls
- Forgetting to equip Fortify Alchemy gear before crafting
- Enchanting gear without drinking the potion first
- Overlooking synergy between Alchemy, Enchanting, and Smithing skills
- Wasting strong potions on low-tier items
The Potion of Fortify Enchanting in Skyrim is an essential component for any player looking to craft the most powerful enchanted gear possible. Mastering the process of creating and using this potion requires an understanding of alchemy, the right gear, and careful timing. When used strategically, it allows the Dragonborn to transcend the limitations of ordinary weapons and armor, opening the door to legendary power. With the right approach, you’ll not only survive the harsh world of Skyrim but dominate it with enchanted equipment forged by your own hand.