alchemy question - 4 'traits' for each ingredient

merk

So each alchemy ingredient looks like it has 4 'traits' or whatever they are called. What determines which trait you are going to uncover when you try to make a potion? Is it random?

And when you know all the traits for any items, what determines which trait is going to be used for whatever potion is being made?

Kuratla

You need to use two different ingredients that share the same trait... like both have "Restore Health". Then you'll see that trait unlocked on those ingredients forever after. If you have all 4 traits unlocked for a bunch of ingredients, then only the ones shared when combining together to make the potion will determine what the potion will be.

If Ingredient A has "Restore Health, Restore Stamina, Ravage Health and Unstoppable" and Ingredient B has "Restore Magicka, Ravage Stamina, Unstoppable and Invisible" and you combine them together, you'll get an Unstoppable potion.

Kemono

What @Kuratla said.
Also: first trait can be discovered by just eating each plants
If you unlock Laboratory Use -so can mix 3 plants -then pairing same traits dont work if you add third plant with oposing effect
So if you have sloted plants with Restore Health, Restore Health + Ravage Health then this potion fail

merk

Ahh - thanks. i didn't realize that. I actually thought i was somehow looking to combine 2 different traits. For example - during one of my random testing, i made a potion (i think it came up as a health potion but i dont remember for sure) that restored health AND restored magika.

Kuratla

If (and I'm not sure if there are any) a potion restores health and magicka, that just means both ingredients have "Restore Health" and "Restore Magicka" traits on them.

Arsvita

You can make potions that have multiple affects on use.

Some all good, some all bad, and some a combination.

For the first tier, as mentioned, you just eat (use) the item to learn it.

For the rest you can experiment with any and all varieties, not the same ingredient twice, to learn what the properties are. It does not matter if the potion is beneficial or harmful as you can save, sell, destroy them.

Once you learn all of the properties of the different ingredient you can really become proficient in many desirable potions.