Dealing damage and weakening enemies inSkyrimisn’t just about swinging swords and shooting beams of lightning. For those who seek an advantage over their enemies, plenty of flora, fauna, and fungi come in handy for creating toxic concoctions.
Some players findSkyrim’salchemy mechanics a bit daunting at first, since ingredients are shrouded in mystery at the beginning of the game. With this guide, though, they’ll whip up deadly brews in no time. An alchemically shrewd Dragonborn can coat their weapons in poison — or, with a high enough Pickpocket skill, simply slip any of these mixtures into a foe’s pocket and watch it take effect.
Updated Jul 14, 2025, by Demaris Oxman:More than ten years after its release,Skyrimremains an icon of open-word fantasy RPGs. Updated editions and an active modding community have kept the game alive, and the Anniversary Edition brought a wealth of free additional content from the Creation Club. With these additions, plenty of new alchemical ingredients — some with previously unavailable effects — have been introduced. For the Dragonborn who loves to experiment with alchemy, this list has been updated to include more details on the effects these poisons inflict on their targets. Keep in mind that each effect’s intensity (and duration, when applicable) increase with the player’s Alchemy skill level, so check outthese additional Alchemy tipsto make more potent poisons.
15Swamp Fungal Pod + Purple Mountain Flower + Imp Stool
Effects
Areslippery mages proving a challengefor the Dragonborn? With this poison, they’re an issue no longer. Though this brew only boasts two effects, it can save the player’s hide in the right situations.
Paralysis is one of the most useful poison effects, giving players a window to land hits on fast-moving opponents — like high-level mages that tend to leap around the battlefield. With the additional Lingering Damage Magicka effect, these opponents will have a harder time casting spells even when they get back up.
14Daedra Heart + Powdered Mammoth Tusk + Juniper Berries
Apply this poison to a weapon with a fire enchantment, and enemies will turn to ash as they flee from the Dragonborn’s presence. Weakness to Fire leaves enemies vulnerable to magical damage; meanwhile, Damage Stamina Regen decreases their capacity to attack.
Finally, Fear causes enemies to turn and run. Thus, this poison is perfect for thinning out crowds of enemies. When the Dragonborn isoverwhelmed by draugr, use this poison to force a few of them to run away.
13Scanlon Fin + Pygmy Sunfish + Ectoplasm
Every Dragonborn has found themselves growing frustrated in a fight against a powerful mage who seems to have unlimited spellcasting power. This potion should make these fights a little easier, draining the target’s Magicka and decreasing the rate at which they get it back. For an extra blow, it will take out a chunk of the opponent’s health as well.
Ectoplasm in this recipe can be swapped out for several other ingredients. Imp Stool, Nightshade, Nirnroot, Troll Fat, or Deathbell will all do if the player can’t get their hands on any Ectoplasm. Just ensure that the ingredient used doesn’t have positive effects that overlap with those of the other ingredients.
12Salt Pile + Trama Root + Hagraven Feathers
This brew proves excellent for weakening opponents who prefer magical attacks. Damage Magicka, naturally, makes it much more difficult for foes to unleash high-level spells. Meanwhile, Weakness to Shock allows the player to drain their enemies' magicka even further with spells of their own.
Slow, meanwhile, shows up a few times on this list considering its utility. When one’s opponents move at half their usual speed, it’s easier for the Dragonborn to dodge incoming attacks and cut enemies down.
11Abecean Longfin + Ice Wraith Teeth + Bleeding Crown
Destruction mages rejoice! With this brew, enemies are left more vulnerable to fire and frost spells. Though players will initially need a weapon to apply the poison, they’re left free to shoot Firebolts and Icicle Spears afterwards. The effect also works with fire and frost enchantments on weapons.
What’s more, Weakness to Poison ensures that if the Dragonborn wants to apply another toxic effect, it will pack a bigger punch. Some players tend to overlook poison effects that don’t directly damage stats, but don’t underestimate the impact of weakening a foe’s defenses.
10Nightshade + Skeever Tail + Silverside Perch
Nightshade is always a reliable ingredient when it comes to poisons in Skyrim. While this recipe’s effects may be simple, they’re also highly destructive. Ravage Health decreases the target’s max health, while Damage Health takes out of chunk of HP.
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Lastly, Damage Stamina Regen makes it much harder for enemies to regain enough stamina to perform effective power attacks in quick succession. This makes it easier for players to avoid the hardest hits, and sneak a few blows in themselves.
9Scathecraw + Orange Dartwing + Giant Lichen
A great poison to employ againsthigh-level magic users, this poison deals an initial hit to both Health and Magicka. The Ravage effect decreases the max value of these stats, making targets weaker and less magically effective even if they manage to heal.
What’s more, Lingering Damage Health is always a helpful effect for poisoners. Decreasing the target’s health by a certain amount every second, it does the work of a player’s attacks for them.
8Deathbell + Falmer Ear + Blisterwort
Deathbell is a poison powerhouse, and Skyrim’s more devious alchemists will find themselves turning to it time and again. This recipe makes use of its Damage Health and Ravage Stamina effects, while the other two ingredients bring Frenzy into play.
When under the influence of Frenzy, the target will attack any creature in range. Hostile guards will turn on civilians; bandit leaders will go after their henchmen. Use it as a distraction to slip away, or simply to get an enemy to help weaken other opponents.
7Giant Lichen, Skeever Tail, Deathbell
Poisons of Weakness to Poison area bit of an inside jokeamong Skyrim fans, but that doesn’t mean they’re not useful. Not only does this brew gouge an enemy’s health bar, it also leaves them more vulnerable to further poison attacks.
Make this recipe in bulk, and reapply it to weapons in between hits in battle. Each toxic hit will be more brutal than the last, making it easy to quickly wear down even the toughest opponents.
6Nightshade + Human Heart + Chicken’s Egg
All three major stats take a hit with this poison, each in a different way. Whether players face an opponent that relies on power attacksor Destruction spells, a weapon coated with this mixture will put targets at a disadvantage, as well as decreasing HP.
This brew is a good one to keep on hand during exploration, when players have no idea what enemies they might encounter. No matter what might try to attack the Dragonborn, this poison can help counter it.
