orbitalflower

Extended list of alchemy items in D&D 3.5

Posted in RPG on — last updated

The following is a list of items which appear in official D&D third edition sources and can be made using the Craft (Alchemy) skill.

List

Item Price DC Description Source
Acid 10 gp 15 Grenadelike weapon, acid Player’s Handbook
Acid neutralizer 50 gp 20 Neutralizes acid Dungeonscape
Acidic fire 30 gp – Alchemist’s fire, but acid Eberron Campaign Setting
Aelia’s tonic 5 gp 25 Weakens poison resistance Sharn: City of Towers
Alch. fire bullet 20 gp 20 Alchemist’s fire sling bullet Dragon #334
Alch. mineral acid 20 gp 22 Grenadelike weapon, acid, damages stone Underdark
Alch. sleep gas 30 gp 25 Sleep gas Forgotten Realms Setting
Alchemical silence 350 gp – Sneak, silence enemy Dragon #348
Alchemist’s fire 20 gp 20 Grenadelike weapon, fire Player’s Handbook
Alchemist’s frost 25 gp – Grenadelike weapon, cold Eberron Campaign Setting
Alchemist’s mercy 1 gp 10 Hangover cure Dragon #280
Alchemist’s spark 25 gp – Grenadelike weapon, electricity Eberron Campaign Setting
Anti-disease tonic 100 gp 25 Resist disease Dragon #331
Antitoxin 50 gp 25 Resist poison Player’s Handbook
Antitoxin capsule 15 gp 20 Improves saves vs poison Complete Adventurer
Armor insulation 50 gp 25 Resist cold weather Frostburn
Armor soft 50 gp 25 Soften metal armor to reduce sound Dragon #280
Astral effluvium 750 gp – Explodes in the astral plane Dungeon #100
Aura gel 25 gp 20 Glows in the presence of psionics Dragon #358
Auran mask 60 gp 25 Resist inhaled toxins Complete Mage
Bile droppings 50 gp 15 Grenadelike weapon, acid and stench Drow of the Underdark
Bird bomb (dust) 25 gp 20 Grenadelike weapon, enemies glow Dragon #357
Bird bomb (reek) 40 gp 25 Grenadelike weapon, nausea Dragon #357
Blackroot oil 20 gp 15 Counters light sensitivity Secrets of Xen’drik
Blackwater 100 gp 25 Removes all oxygen from water Dragon #298
Blackwater algae 5 sp 15 Stave off fatigue Dragon #303
Bladefire 20 gp 20 Weapon deals fire Arms & Equipment Guide
Blasting pellets 50 gp 25 Caltrops, sonic Races of Stone
Blend cream 50 gp 20 Improves hide Complete Adventurer
Blister oil 15 gp 25 Causes injury if touched Races of Stone
Blood thickener 75 gp 25 Increase Con, reduce Dex and bleed Dragon #324
Bottled air 50 gp 25 Clear smoke Dungeonscape
Breathing mask 1000 gp 20 Resist inhaled toxins Savage Species
Brittlebone 30 gp 20 Makes brittle, exploding skeletons Dragon #303
Brown mold oil 75 gp 25 Brown mold cold thrown weapon Dragon #322
Bullet, acid 10 gp 15 Sling bullet, acid Arms & Equipment Guide
Bullet, flame 20 gp 20 Sling bullet, fire Arms & Equipment Guide
Burn salve 15 gp 10 Heals fire damage Dragon #301
Burning dust 40 gp 25 Sickens enemy Dragon #334
Burning dust pot 100 gp 25 Siege weapon dust pot Dragon #334
Burrfoot’s nut ale 20 gp 20 Burrfoot’s nut brown ale, aid speech Dragon #334
Catstink 50 gp 20 Hinders tracking by scent Complete Adventurer
Cerebral grist 500 gp – Turns corpse into explosive spores Dungeon #100
Cerebral serum 150 gp 30 Resist psionics Dragon #358
Charm, anarchic 30 gp 20 Damage creature vulnerable to law Dragon #331
Charm, axiomatic 30 gp 20 Damage creature vulnerable to chaos Dragon #331
Charm, cold iron 30 gp 20 Damage creature vulnerable to cold iron Dragon #331
Charm, combination 40 gp 25 Combines two other charms Dragon #331
Charm, garlic 5 gp 15 Damage creature repulsed by garlic Dragon #331
Charm, holy 30 gp 20 Damage creature vulnerable to good Dragon #331
Charm, silver 30 gp 20 Damage creature vulnerable to silver Dragon #331
Charm, unholy 30 gp 20 Damage creature vulnerable to evil Dragon #331
Clearbreath 50 gp 25 Resist stench Arms & Equipment Guide
Clearstone 10 gp 25 Makes glass hard as stone Dragon #304
Clearwater tablet 1 gp 30 Cleans water Complete Scoundrel
Cooling gel 100 gp 20 Heal burn damage, resist heat Dragon #280
Courier’s ink 20 gp 20 Invisible ink Dragon #280
Crackle powder 30 gp 20 Hinders quiet movement Complete Mage
Darkeye 50 gp 25 Poison, improves necromancy Sharn: City of Towers
Darkvision powder 10 gp 20 Write messages visible by darkvision Arms & Equipment Guide
Daystrider capsule 10 gp 15 Resist fatigue on march Complete Scoundrel
Deepsmoke stick 40 gp 20 Smokestick that blocks scent Dragon #298
Defolidator 20 gp 20 Grenadelike weapon, damages plants Arms & Equipment Guide
Dehydrated food 2 gp 15 Dried food Arms & Equipment Guide
Devil’s soap 25 gp 20 Resist fire Dragon #301
Diamond water ale 8 sp 14 Sickens drinker Dragon #334
Disappearing ink 5 gp 15 Disappearing ink Tome and Blood
Djinn perfume 400 gp 20 Improves Charisma Dragon #357
Dog smoke 75 gp 25 Grenadelike weapon, nausea Dragon #357
Dragon brew 15 gp 25 Improve Fort save Dragon #301
Draught, anarchic 50 gp 25 Resist creature vulnerable to law Dragon #331
Draught, axiomatic 50 gp 25 Resist creature vulnerable to chaos Dragon #331
Draught, cold iron 75 gp 25 Resist creature vulnerable to cold iron Dragon #331
Draught, combination 150 gp 28 Combines two other draughts Dragon #331
Draught, garlic 50 gp 20 Resist creature repulsed by garlic Dragon #331
Draught, holy 50 gp 25 Resist creature vulnerable to good Dragon #331
Draught, silver 75 gp 25 Resist creature vulnerable to silver Dragon #331
Draught, unholy 50 gp 25 Resist creature vulnerable to evil Dragon #331
Dwarfblind 50 gp 25 Flashbang affects darkvision Arms & Equipment Guide
Dwarven grave ale 50 gp 25 Resist fear, increase attack and damage Dragon #334
Ectoplasmic skin 75 gp 25 Resist damage Dragon #358
Eggshell, dust 10 gp 20 Eggshell grenade, blinding powder Oriental Adventures
Eggshell, flash 60 gp 25 Eggshell grenade, flashpowder Oriental Adventures
Eggshell, pepper 10 gp 20 Eggshell grenade, pepper, stuns Oriental Adventures
Eggshell, poison 150 gp 25 Eggshell grenade, poison smoke Oriental Adventures
Elf hazel 5 gp 10 Heals scars Dragon #301
Embalming fire 50 gp 20 Makes zombies flammable Dragon #303
Endurance elixir 25 gp 20 Resist weather Complete Scoundrel
Evermead 200 gp 30 Remove age-based penalties Dragon #334
Explosive pack 200 gp 26 Timed explosive Secrets of Sarlona
Fareye oil 25 gp 20 Improves spot Complete Adventurer
Farflame oil 2 gp 15 Light source Arms & Equipment Guide
Fast torch 5 gp 20 Flare Complete Mage
Feather powder 70 gp 25 Hinders attack, damage and checks Book of Vile Darkness
Ferrous aqua 20 gp 20 Cold iron sling stone Complete Scoundrel
Festering bomb 50 gp 22 Grenadelike weapon, disease Book of Vile Darkness
Fire beetle paste 50 gp 25 Corrosive when ignoted, like thermite Dragon #280
Fire pot 100 gp 20 Siege weapon alchemist’s fire Dragon #334
Firebane 50 gp 25 Grease that grants fire resistance Dragon #280
Firebelly 2 gp 20 Resist cold damage Dragon #334
Firestone 50 gp 25 Ignites flammable materials Dragon #280
Firmament stone 110 gp 25 Shows whether it’s day or night Dungeonscape
Flash paper 5 gp – Dazzles Oriental Adventures
Flash pellet 50 gp 25 Flashbang Complete Adventurer
Flash powder 20 gp 20 Flashbang Dragon #280
Flash tube 30 gp 20 Flashbang Savage Species
Flashball 40 gp 25 Flashbang Dragon #298
Flashpellet 50 gp 25 Flashbang Tome and Blood
Flashstone 30 gp 20 Flashbang Dragon #298
Fleetfoot 50 gp 25 Improves speed Arms & Equipment Guide
Focusing candle 100 gp 25 Improves mental skills Complete Adventurer
Forger’s paper 10 gp 20 Temporarily transparent paper Complete Scoundrel
Free foot 25 gp 25 Slippery oil Dragon #280
Freeglide 20 gp 20 Aids escape artist Complete Adventurer
Freeze powder 100 gp 25 Freezes water Frostburn
Frost lotion 15 gp 10 Heals cold damage Dragon #301
Frostbite salve 50 gp 20 Treat frostbite Frostburn
Frostfire 40 gp 20 Grenadelike weapon, ice Savage Species
Gash glue 40 gp 15 Stabilize creature Dragon #301
Ghostblight capsule 100 gp 35 Coats weapon with ghost touch Complete Adventurer
Ghostoil 50 gp 25 Applies ghost touch to weapon Arms & Equipment Guide
Ghostwall shellac 150 gp 30 Blocks incorporeal movement Dungeonscape
Glowpowder 50 gp 20 Glowing dust, spot hidden enemies Tome and Blood
Goblin ink 20 gp 10 Waterproof ink Dragon #301
Goodale 10 gp 20 Removes fatigue Dragon #334
Gravebane 50 gp 25 Smoke repels undead Arms & Equipment Guide
Hawk’s ointment 50 gp 25 Aids spot Complete Adventurer
Healer’s balm 10 gp 20 Aids heal skill Complete Adventurer
Healing salve 50 gp 25 Heals damage Tome and Blood
Heartflow 15 gp 20 Imbiber susceptible to suggestion Sharn: City of Towers
Hearthfire 10 gp 20 Light source Races of Stone
Holdfast 50 gp 25 Grappling hook glue Dragon #280
Holy candle 75 gp 25 Improve turn attempts Dragon #324
Hound snuff 90 gp 15 Improves dog scent Dragon #357
Ice chalk 20 gp 15 Chalk Frostburn
Ice crystal 5 gp 15 Chills water Dragon #280
Icewalker oil 75 gp 35 Spider climb on ice Dragon #301
Insect repellent 5 gp 15 Keeps bugs away Dragon #280
Instant rope 25 gp 15 Forms rope Arms & Equipment Guide
Intuition vapor 75 gp 30 Smoke aids concentration, hinders sight Dragon #358
Ironbane acid 30 gp – Grenadelike weapon, harms metal Dragon #359
Ironman capsule 15 gp 20 Ignore staggered Complete Adventurer
Jade powder 100 gp – Weapon overcomes jade damage reduction Oriental Adventures
Journeyman’s friend 5 gp 5 Improve stamina on forced march Dragon #301
Keenear powder 20 gp 20 Aids listen Complete Adventurer
Lantern stars 10 gp 10 Light Dragon #301
Lava stone 24 gp 20 Create safe spot in lava Dungeonscape
Lava stone, greater 144 gp 20 Create large safe spot in lava Dungeonscape
Leap capsule 15 gp 25 Aids jump Complete Adventurer
Liquid courage 10 gp 20 Resist fear, hinder dexterity Dragon #344
Liquid ice 30 gp 25 Cold alchemist’s fire Dragon #280
Liquid light 20 gp 30 Sunlight sling stone Complete Scoundrel
Liquid night 150 gp 25 Makes undead resist sunlight Dragon #303
Liquid smoke 20 gp 20 Creates smoke Oriental Adventures
Liquid stone 25 gp 15 Fast-drying concrete Dragon #358
Lockslick 180 gp 25 Aids lockpicking and trap disabling Dungeonscape
Lockslip grease 50 gp 20 Aids open lock Complete Adventurer
Long-burning a. fire 30 gp 25 Long-burning alchemist’s fire Dragon #334
Long-burning f. pot 150 gp 25 Siege long-burning alchemist’s fire pot Dragon #334
Longbreath 50 gp 25 Hold breath for longer Arms & Equipment Guide
Mad foam 25 gp 15 Improves dog’s scent Dragon #357
Masking perfume 100 gp – Block scent Dragon #279
Melt powder 25 gp 20 Melts ice Frostburn
Memorybind 300 gp 30 Prepare another 1st-level spell Dragon #301
Mimic clay 30 gp 25 Duplicate a mundane item Dragon #358
Mindfire 200 gp 30 Poison additive, hinders concentration Dragon #301
Miner’s milk 5 gp 20 Resist poison Dragon #334
Motelight 20 gp 20 Sparks hinder concentration Arms & Equipment Guide
Nature’s draught 50 gp 25 Aids handling animals Complete Adventurer
Nerv 25 gp 25 Resist fear Complete Scoundrel
Netherflame 1800 gp – Dark explosive flames Dungeon #100
Night eyes 25 gp 25 Grants low-light vision Dragon #280
Night venom 500 gp 35 Poison additive, sleep effect Dragon #301
Nose numb – 15 Removes scent, immune to stench Dragon #357
Noxious smokestick 80 gp – Smokestick causes nausea Eberron Campaign Setting
Oakdeath 100 gp 25 Poison additive, increase DC Dragon #301
Oil of hardness 50 gp 25 Makes objects harder Dragon #304
Oil of nausea 60 gp 15 Grenadelike weapon, causes nausea Dragon #322
Panther tears 30 gp 20 Gain low-light vision Secrets of Xen’drik
Phantom ink 10 gp 20 Ink only visible under certain light Tome and Blood
Plate thinner 25 gp 20 Weakens dragon scales Dragon #344
Poison-friend pod 50 gp 25 Hinders poison resistance Dragon #322
Polar skin 25 gp 25 Resist cold Frostburn
Portable pyre 10 gp 15 Portable fire kindling Dragon #324
Powdered silver 20 gp 20 Silver sling stone Complete Scoundrel
Powdered water 5 sp 10 Water stored in powder form Dragon #280
Powderhorn 55 gp 25 Smokepowder, 2 pounds Forgotten Realms Setting
Powderkeg 400 gp 25 Smokepowder, 15 pounds Forgotten Realms Setting
Psi block 25 gp 20 Blocks psionics Dragon #358
Psionic ichor 60 gp 30 Increases cost of psionic abilities Dragon #358
Purebalm 175 gp 25 Resist poison secondary effects Dragon #301
Quickflame capsule 25 gp 25 Coats weapon with fire Complete Adventurer
Quickfrost capsule 25 gp 25 Coats weapon with cold Complete Adventurer
Quicksilver capsule 50 gp 30 Coats weapon with silver Complete Adventurer
Quickspark capsule 25 gp 25 Coats weapon with electricity Complete Adventurer
Razor ice powder 50 gp 25 Turns ice into dangerous razor ice Frostburn
Red rager 50 gp 25 Temporarily improves Str, reduces Dex Dragon #280
Rejuvenation essence 30 gp 20 Rest in 4 hours Dragon #358
Restful candle 105 gp 25 Heal faster Arms & Equipment Guide
Rockburn oil 50 gp 30 Acid grenadelike weapon Dragon #298
Rust cube 100 gp 30 Rust sling stone Complete Scoundrel
Scentbreaker 5 gp 15 Blocks tracking by scent Forgotten Realms Setting
Scentbreaker 5 gp 15 Muffles enemy’s sense of smell Tome and Blood
Screaming flask 40 gp 25 Deafens enemies Complete Mage
Sculptor’s slime 750 gp 20 Alows stone to be shaped Savage Species
Senses 50 gp 25 Improve Spot and Listen Dragon #301
Shadow haze dust 30 gp 20 Clings to targets and obscures vision Dragon #322
Shadow veil 40 gp 25 Puts out fires Dragon #322
Shadowlight oil 5 gp 25 Oil provides shadowy illumination Dragon #337
Shedden 75 gp 20 Gain natural armor Drow of the Underdark
Shinewater 10 gp 5 Polish metal Dragon #301
Shriek paste 50 gp 20 Emits loud noise when exposed to light Dragon #298
Signal torch 1 gp 15 Torches of different hues Arms & Equipment Guide
Silent bells 50 gp 25 Dog-whistle alarm bells Dragon #357
Siphon fire 100 gp 20 Flamethrower fuel Dragon #334
Siphon wet fire 125 gp 20 Underwater flamethrower fuel Dragon #334
Sleeping fire 40 gp 20 Alchemist’s fire triggered by touch Oriental Adventures
Slimebane 15 gp 15 Acid which harms oozes Dragon #280
Slippery oil 50 gp 25 Aids escape Dragon #280
Slumberweed 500 gp – Sleep poison Dragon #316
Smokestick 20 gp 20 Create smoke Player’s Handbook
Sneezing powder 60 gp 25 Makes enemies sneeze Dragon #280
Softfoot 50 gp 20 Aids sneaking Complete Adventurer
Softshoe powder 25 gp 25 Move more quietly Dragon #280
Soupstone 300 gp 15 Soup stored in solid form Dragon #280
Sparkstone 50 gp 25 Grenadelike weapon, electricity Arms & Equipment Guide
Spelunker’s oil 15 gp 20 Aids escape artist checks Drow of the Underdark
Spiderlily 75 gp 25 Repels vermin Races of Stone
Spy button, flash 50 gp – Flashbang Dragon #316
Spy button, smoke 30 gp – Smoke Dragon #316
Spy button, thunder 40 gp – Thunderstone Dragon #316
Stability capsule 15 gp 20 Aids balance Complete Adventurer
Star lantern 100 gp – Light Dragon #279
Stonebreaker acid 20 gp 20 Grenadelike weapon, harms stone Dragon #359
Stoneburn acid 10 gp 22 Dissolves rock Drow of the Underdark
Stonecloth 100 gp 25 Fire-retardant cloth Dragon #280
Strongarm capsule 125 gp 35 Improves strength, causes fatigue Complete Adventurer
Sugar bomb 1 gp 10 Hinders dragon blindsense Dragon #344
Sunrod 2 gp 25 Create light Player’s Handbook
Suregrip 20 gp 20 Improves grip when climbing Tome and Blood
Swiftstride capsule 15 gp 35 Improves speed, causes fatigue Complete Adventurer
Tangle wire 25 gp 25 Adhesive barbed wire Dragon #280
Tanglefoot bag 50 gp 25 Slow enemies Player’s Handbook
Thunderstone 30 gp 25 Flashbang Player’s Handbook
Tindertwig 1 gp 20 Strike match Player’s Handbook
Titan gum 25 gp 15 Glue Dragon #301
Tongueloose 150 gp – Imbiber susceptible to suggestion Dragon #316
Toxic tooth 30 gp 25 Hollow tooth contains poison Complete Scoundrel
Trail bar 1 gp 20 Food Complete Scoundrel
Traveler’s solace 50 gp 25 Prevents exhaustion Dragon #280
Trollbane 90 gp 25 Weapon poison disables regeneration Dungeonscape
Truth wine 75 gp 30 Makes it harder to lie Dragon #280
Unholy candle 75 gp 25 Improve rebuke attempts Dragon #324
Vapors of sleep 50 gp 25 Makes target sleepy Dragon #280
Vermin ointment 20 gp 20 Repels vermin Secrets of Xen’drik
Verminbane 20 gp 20 Smoke repels vermin Arms & Equipment Guide
Vicious bleeder 50 gp 15 Weapon adds bleed damage Arms & Equipment Guide
Vilegrip 50 gp 25 Strengthens the grip of webs Drow of the Underdark
Vine oil 50 gp 15 Remain conscious below 0 HP Dragon #301
Weeping flask 50 gp 15 Produces drinkable water Complete Mage
Weeping stone 100 gp 25 User is shaken Book of Vile Darkness
Wet fire 25 gp 20 Underwater alchemist’s fire Dragon #334
Whale grease 75 gp 25 Resist hypothermia Frostburn
White resin 100 gp 20 Yuan-ti drug Dragon #305
White sanguine 100 gp 20 Poison additive, prevents clotting Dragon #301
Witchweed stick 40 gp 20 Hinders concentration Lords of Darkness
Wittlewort brew 30 gp 15 Chance to break enchantment Dragon #301
Woodripper acid 20 gp – Grenadelike weapon, harms wood Dragon #359
Xeph’s blood 40 gp 30 Temporarily increase speed Dragon #358

Observations

It’s interesting how authors independently create the same types of items. Common items are flashbangs, acids which dissolve stone, vermin repellant, smoke which causes nausea, truth serum, water purification, anti-exhaustion, invisible ink, and light sources. There’s a tendency to create D&D versions of modern technology.

A frequent error writers made was to forget to include a craft DC.

In several instances, the same item appears in multiple books.

Alchemy items are generally like weak magic items. They tend to be less than 100 gp in price, almost never over 1,000 gp. It’s awkward that alchemy requires a skill while magic item creation requires feats, and by the time you can craft reliably, the benefit of saving money by making your own alchemy items is insignificant.

The most difficult alchemy items to craft are DC 35: Dragon Magazine #301’s icewalker oil and night venom, and Complete Adventurer’s ghostblight, strongarm and swiftstride capsules.

However, epic level alchemy allows creating improved items by increasing the DC by 20 or more, such as DC 40 for augmented alchemist’s fire. Since you can keep increasing the DC by 20, the maximum DC is unlimited.

A clever alchemist will try to invent his own items. Just about any effect is possible, as long as a magic item of the same power wouldn’t cost more than about 500 gp. The major advantage over magic item creation is that it doesn’t cost XP, and doesn’t require an item creation feat (though of course it still requires investment of skill points).

Some further alchemy items appear in Pathfinder RPG, notably in the Pathfinder SRD under Advanced Gear. Also useful are the alchemist’s kit (25 gp, 5 lb, no bonus) and portable alchemist’s lab (75 gp, 20 lbs, +1 bonus), which serve as portable alternatives to standard D&D alchemist’s lab (500 gp, 40 lbs, +2 bonus). These make Craft (Alchemy) more useful since you can craft items mid-adventure.