-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Skyrim Alchemy Exploit (XBOX360 verified)

FAQ created by Jeremy Lusk (thesabrestorm@aol.com)

Created 2/14/2012
Last Modified 2/27/2012
Version 2.5
This FAQ is copyright 2012 by Jeremy Lusk (thesabrestorm@aol.com).
FAQ is

This

free to copy and distribute, provided the FAQ remains intact, with
credit
given to this original author. Updates by the author will only be made
to
www.gamefaqs.com, so no author updates will be available on any other
sites.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Version Updates
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------1.0 - Original file
1.5 - Updates and correction on some information
2.0 - Testing several suggestions from readers
2.5 - Rewrite and testing updates
This is probably the final version of the FAQ unless I choose to hunt
down a
friend with a PS3 and force them to buy Skyrim.
a

I still haven't gotten

chance to test this on PC, but with access to console commands, it seems
a bit
of a moot point.
console is

Sorry for that, but if you're going to cheat, the

far simpler, anyway.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------WARNING!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------"I think I'm turning Japanese.

I really think so."

Before reading this FAQ, be forewarned that this is possibly one of the
most
terrific and terrible exploits I've ever taken part of in any video game
ever.
And I mean ever.
Using this exploit, I was able to casually one-shot Alduin with a Blades
sword.
I can spam Incinerate without my magicka budging, and can be pummeled by
spells
and weapons from anything and hardly feel it.
DO NOT USE THIS EXPLOIT IF YOU WANT TO PLAY FAIR.

PERIOD.

I've tested this on the XBOX 360 version of the game only, as I do not
have
access to the PS3 version of the game, but verification on the PC
version of
the game is pending me having time to get to my friend's house.
This exploit provides ridiculously fast alchemy leveling, instantaneous
smithing leveling, nearly unlimited gold, and overall power-gaming.
don't

really condone using this cheat until you've beaten the game without it,
but to
each his/her own.

The information on this exploit was discovered on the Unofficial Elder

Scrolls
Pages wiki site at www.uesp.net/wiki/skyrim:Enchanting.
credit for

I take no

figuring out this exploit; only for documenting it in a more easilyfound

location with a much more detailed explanation.
All of this aside, on to the FAQ!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Table of Contents
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I.

Shopping List [SHPL]

II.

The Setup [TSET]

III. The Process [TPRO]

IV.

The Applications [TAPP]

V.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQS]

VI.

Other Information [OTIN]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------I.

Shopping List [SHPL]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------"Tell me why I don't like Mondays.

down."

I wanna shoot the whole day

This is a quick checklist of things you will need to have for the
exploit:
Necessary Items
[] Fortify Alchemy Enchantment
[] Filled Soul Gems (4)
[] Ring
[] Amulet
[] Helmet or Circlet
[] Gauntlets or Gloves
[] Blue Butterfly Wings
[] Hagraven Claws
[] Snowberries
[] Spriggan Sap
[] Blisterwort
[] Glowing Mushrooms
[] Saber Cat Teeth
[] Abecean Longfin
[] Cyrodilic Spadetail
[] Salt Pile
[] Small Antlers
[] Small Pearls
Optional Items
[] Additional filled Soul Gems for enchanting
[] Additional enchantments
[] Additional equipment for enchanting
[] Resources for upgrading equipment (iron, steel, ebony, etc.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------II.

The Setup [TSET]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Every little thing she does is magic."

Before you get started, there are several things you need to know.
There are a
couple of paths you can take to get the exploit to work.
faster,
but isn't as efficient when actually using the exploit.
requires

One is far
The other

giving up precious perks, and can take longer, but is far more efficient
when
actually performing the exploit.
testing

After about twelve hours of careful

to figure out why some people weren't getting the exploit to work, this
is what
I've discovered:
Path One:

Alchemy

The alchemy skill is much more time-consuming to raise, since the amount
of
experience gained is based on the value of the potions created.
potions
aren't worth jack, especially at low levels.
couple of

Most

However, unlocking a

levels of Alchemist (first level immediately available and second one at

level
20 alchemy) as well as unlocking Physician and Benefactor, the exploit
can be
achieved with very low-level equipment (see below) at alchemy level 50.
There
are several great alchemy FAQs that could help you raise the skill
quicker if
you choose to go this path.
keep in

There's also the giant's toe exploit to

mind, though those things are a bit rare and thus not overly reliable in
my
opinion.
Path Two:

Enchanting

My original FAQ was based on the fact that I had my enchanting maxed out
when I
discovered the exploit on UESP.
unlocked as

I had all of my Enchanter levels

well as Insightful Enchanter.

reached

Using these perks, the exploit can be

much more quickly, since enchanting is far easier to raise in level than
alchemy.
payoff

This can be pricy, especially at low character level, but the

is not "wasting" perks on alchemy (which I find to be mostly useless,

especially once the exploit can be used).
50

This can be achieved by level

enchanting (three levels of Enchanter, plus Insightful Enchanter).

Additionally, your alchemy level will raise fairly quickly once you get
the
exploit working, so it seems odd to me to go the other route, but again,
to
each his/her own.
Regardless of which path you choose, it's going to be slow going if
you're just
starting a new character.
help

I highly suggest using the speech exploit to

maximize your income and reduce overhead while purchasing soul gems and
alchemy
ingredients.
for the

Just be careful if you're doing this with a new character

simple fact that you'll come out of the speech exploit at character
level 17,
which can be problematic if you stumble across higher-level enemies and
don't
have any offensive or defensive skills raised.
with

If you're not familiar

how to do the speech exploit, check the other FAQs and Walkthroughs.
Contrary to my original comment, your smithing level is completely
irrelevant.
See the "other uses" section in The Application to see why if your
curiosity is
overwhelming your patience.
Once you've chosen your path and you begin to work your skills and perks
up to
where they need to be, keep an eye out for an alchemy item to
disenchant. You
will HAVE to have the "fortify alchemy" enchantment to even start the
exploit,
and it can sometimes be a pain to find something to disenchant given
Skyrim's

random equipment generator, but you SHOULD find something along the way.
During this time, you should also be looking out for any and all
ingredients
you will need for your potions; most importantly, the ones for the
fortify
restoration potion.
many

You only really need a few smithing potions and as

enchanting potions as items you want to enchant, so they're not as

important
off the bat.
As you're working on this, you also have another option to consider.
save

To

yourself some time (but possibly create a headache for yourself), you
can have
everything on hand you need to create your exploit equipment.
includes

This

enchantments for armor and weapons as well as the soul gems required for
said
enchantments, and smithing resources required for upgrading the
equipment.
The other option is to just not worry about it.
potions

Once you have your

created, they stay good forever, even if stored in a container.

just

You can

mix up a whole bunch of them and stash them somewhere to be used at your
convenience.
especially

This can cut down on irritation of mis-clicking items,

armor items while trying to use the exploit (see the "tips and tricks"
section
in Other Information).
As I've listed in the aptly-named checklist, there are many things that
you
need.
three

It may seem like a daunting list, but you're really only making

potions:
Fortify Restoration:

abecean longfin, cyrodilic spadetail, salt pile,

small antlers, small pearl

Fortify Enchanting:

blue butterfly wing, hagraven claw, snowberry,

spriggan sap

Fortify Smithing:

blisterwort, glowing mushroom, saber cat tooth,

spriggan sap

If you're unfamiliar with how alchemy works, don't worry.

really
need to understand much.
to

You don't

Use any two ingredients from the lists above

create the potions you wish to create.

fortify

For example, you can create a

restoration potion with just a salt pile and small pearl, a fortify
smithing
potion with blisterwort and spriggan sap, or a fortify enchanting potion
with a blue butterfly wing and a snowberry.
potion

Once you've created a

once, that potion will be listed on the left with the ingredients you've
already discovered can be used to create that potion.
If you so wish, it isn't a bad idea to have some spare ingredients to
"unlock" the lists for each potion ahead of time to save you precious
seconds
when using the exploit.

You will be on limited time (until the fortify

restoration potion wears off), so being quick is relatively important.

If
you're really familiar with all of the menus, however, you should be
fine
without this step in the prepwork.
As anyone with alchemy experience knows, some of these ingredients are
more or less common than others.

For example, things like salt piles

and blisterwort can often be bought (or found) in bulk, while others
like
blue butterfly wings and snowberries are easy to harvest in bulk in the
wilds. Thankfully, all three potions have relatively easy-to-find
reagents,
so if you're having trouble finding them in the wild, hitting each of
the
alchemy shops should stock you up fairly well in short order.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------III.

The Process [TPRO]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------"It's not too late to whip it.

Whip it good!"

The first step you need to concern yourself with is your equipment.
can
have four items that carry a fortify alchemy enchantment.
neck,

You

Hand, ring,

and head equipment can all be enchanted, so take your pick and get ready
for
action! If you took the alchemy path, it's okay to have low enchantments
(I had
no issue with 8% equipment).
should

If you're using the enchantment path, you

have items somewhere around 20-25%.

At this time, I should point out another option that has been pointed
out to me
in several e-mails.
helmet

I had already heard of the falmer/penitus oculatus

glitch, but for those of you who may not know about it, here it is:
there's a
glitch with the helmets that allows you to equip a circlet on your head
as
well, even though you have the chosen helmet on.
give you

This will actually

five enchanted items, which will make the exploit that much easier and
faster
to pull off.
didn't

It's not a HUGE difference, but every little bit helps.

test this path, because it seemed unnecessary, so it IS possible you

could
start the exploit with lower skills or perks, but it's up to you to try
it.
Once you have your enchanted equipment, put it on and head to your
favorite
alchemy station.
access

I'm fond of Hjerim's secret room, because of the quick

to an enchanting station, but Breezehome might be better because of the

quick
access to all of the smithing stuff at Warmaiden's.

SAVE YOUR GAME! If you make equipment way higher than you're
comfortable with,
or have issues with timing, it's good to have a save BEFORE YOU STARTED.
This
will prevent you from wasting ingredients, and give you the opportunity
to make
multiple attempts before settling on your final overcharge.
When you reach your chosen station, make your first fortify restoration
potion.
Immediately after drinking it, unequip and reequip your enchanted armor.
The
percentage rating should show higher, but the game doesn't actually
register it
as being higher unless it's reequipped with the higher percentage in
effect.
The actual boost will depend on your skill level and perks (obviously),
but if
you've followed the steps thus far, it should be noticeable.
probably won't
be very high, but don't be worried.
"why

It

It will grow exponentially (see the

the exploit works" section in Other Information).

With your now-boosted-armor, make a second potion.
your

Depending on how

potion came out, you may have 30 or 60 seconds (it probably depends on
the
actual reagents used, though I didn't think to test that).
the

This is all

time you have, so you need to be pretty quick with the process.
this

Drink

new potion, and simply unequip and reequip your enchanted items to get a
new
boost.
You can rinse and repeat this process as much as you like.
times you

The more

do it, your potions will get exponentially stronger and stronger.

Within ten
potions, you will probably reach disgustingly high boosts.
successful

My first

attempt at this resulted in alchemy gear with a 12,536,382% increase to

the
skill.
I was

It's far beyond anything you'll ever need, but it IS possible.

initially concerned about breaking the game and causing things to start
to bug
or glitch, but it's possible that the in-game caps prevent this (see
"bugs and
glitches" in Other Information).
Once you have your potions boosted to the point where you're happy, you
may
want to mass-produce any extra fortify restoration potions you think you
might
have use for in the future.
overcharge

This will save you time if you want to

some equipment later on, since you won't have to hunt down ingredients
or
spend the time doing the alchemy boost.

From there, simply mass-produce

smithing and enchanting potions, and voila!

You're done.

I've only needed one smithing potion to do a full set of equipment (a

dagger,
two blades, a bow, helmet, armor, boots, and gauntlets), but in my
experience,
you want one enchanting potion for each item you want to enchant.
keep
in mind that having spares will never hurt.
safe,

Just

Just store them someplace

and you'll be able to make changes to your lineup anytime you want.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------IV.

The Application [TAPP]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------"I just ran.

I ran both night and day.

Couldn't get away."

As you've probably already figured out, the ultimate purpose I found for
this
exploit is to make ridiculous equipment.
bow

My current setup is a daedric

That has a base damage of 373 and does 1715 fire damage.
do 107

My swords each

base damage (Blades' swords) and 1715 frost or lightning damage.

dagger is

My

somehow higher at 365 base damage with 1715 lightning damage, and all of
them
have 5-second soul trap on them.
My armor enchantments are varied and high as well, ultimately giving me
+322%
Magic Resistance, +530 to my carrying weight, 96% reduction of
destruction and
conjuration spell cost, an armor rating of 1962, and a number of other
disgusting things I don't feel I really need to list.
you do

Ultimately, what

with the exploit is up to you, so let your imagination go wild with the
possibilities.
Another reason for this exploit is, as noted before, to quickly boost
your
alchemy skill.
of the

Experience for your alchemy skill is based on the value

resulting potion (as also discovered with the giant's toe exploit), but
because of the value of the potions at the exponential level they are
created
(I've had potions valued over 30,000 gold apiece), your alchemy skill
will
skyrocket fairly quickly.
Careful hours of testing have proven that you cannot boost your
enchanting this
way. I'm sure it's been covered in more specific FAQs on enchanting,
but it
seems to me that experience gained is based on the power of the soul gem
and
not anything else.
altogether. I

SMITHING, however...

That's another story

used my first smithing potion on this playtest character to boost an

iron
dagger (left over from raising my enchanting) to legendary.
one
upgrade, my smithing jumped from 57 to 100.
high,

With that

The potion was ridiculously

but even less-boosted potions should provide a dramatic increase over

doing
it sans-potion.

The exploit can be used in a number of other ways, though mostly just
for
creating power-boosted potions.
Magicka,

Potions that raise your armor, HP,

skills, or super-powerful poisons may be an option for someone who

doesn't
mind cheating a little bit without creating godlike armor and weapons.
It has been pointed out (though not yet tested by me) that using a
boosted
fortify restoration potion before buying the Extra Pockets perk
(pickpocketing
level 50) will result in a permanent overcharge to your carrying
ability,
freeing up enchantment slots on your equipment.
Last, this exploit can be used to make a LOT of money really quickly.
When
each of your potions sell for more gold than an entire city of
shopkeepers have
(even with all of the speech perks unlocked), it's easy to make a mint
off of
them, with very little overhead (only the cost of your reagents).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------V.

FAQs

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------"Nothing I can do; a total eclipse of the heart."

Q: Can I just make a bunch of restoration potions and drink them before
trying
to use the exploit?
A: Apparently not.
untested on

I tested this theory (it's mentioned as being

the UESP site), and it SEEMS to work if you just drink two potions,
but it
doesn't seem to be very reliable.

just

If you drink more than two, it

"normalizes" all values.

Q:

I think cheating in a game is wrong.

A:

NO!

Never.

Should I use this exploit?

Absolutely not.

Q: Is this exploit only good for increasing armor and weapon

stats/enchants?
A: No. It can be used to boost your alchemy skill, smithing skill,
making an
unnecessary amount of gold, and for creating overpowered potions.

Q:

I can't get this to work.

A: Keep trying.
the

I messed it up the first time, but the explanation on

site I found it on was a bit hazy.

outlined, you
shouldn't have an issue.
haven't been

Following the steps I've

It may not work on PS3 and PC, as I

able to verify those yet.

Q:

I got it to work, but why is the increase on my apparel so small?

A: The increase is exponential, so it starts small, but rapidly builds.

Just
keep repeating the process, and it should suddenly start to
skyrocket.
Also keep in mind that the original power of the enchantment on the

gear

as well as your alchemy level both will effect how quickly you can
get to
ridiculous levels with the potions.

Q:

Perks are the key.

It's sad you have to cheat to play this game.

A: It's sad you bothered to make this comment.

legitimately

I beat the game

already, and wanted to go through and explore things more completely

while not having to worry about anything ever killing me.

And let's

face
it; who has played this game and NOT wanted to one-shot Alduin or
kneecap a giant with a dagger?

As much as I respect Bethesda and their

ability to captivate me with every new game they release, the simple

fact

all of us are aware of is that they are all very, VERY flawed.

are

They

usually quick to patch these flaws, but there are always more, and

some

simply can't be fixed.

Ultimately, they're in the game and were all

discovered by accident.

They were oversights by the designers and

game
testers, but are a part of the mechanics, and technically, not
really
cheating.
quests

It's an exploit.

Anyway, Bethesda owes me for all the

I couldn't complete on my first playthrough thanks to their terrible

bugs.

they

And the chunks of terrain I keep getting stuck in because

weren't properly closed-off.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------VI.

Other Information [OTIN]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------"She blinded me...with science!"

Tips and Tricks

1. Save, save, save, save, save.

back to

Keep multiple saves so you can roll

any point in the exploit process.

save

You won't be sorry, and you'll

yourself a lot of headache having to hunt down reagents or whatever

else

you manage to screw up in the process.

Believe me.

2. The streams in the Reach (south of Markarth) are good for finding
the
fish needed for the exploit, if you somehow have difficulty finding
them in
alchemy shops.
3. It's easier to switch your gear on and off if the only apparel you
have is
the gear you're using for the exploit.
4.
to

Get rid of any potions and ingredients not involved with the exploit
prevent wasting time sorting through your inventory.

5. Practice the timing and navigating the menus before actually

committing to
the

the exploit.

This will help your efficacy when actually exploiting

restoration potions.

Possible bugs/glitches:
I've noticed very few issues so far.
their

The "base damage" of my weapons at

legendary status went down, seeming to become more "normalized" after

saving
and reloading the game.
where

This may be due to a situation I've read about

all equipment has a sort of built-in ceiling for how high it can go.
This
issue doesn't seem to effect enchantments, however, so weapons can still
be way
over-powered.
though it's

Also, it doesn't seem to effect armor rating at all,

possible it's displaying an inaccurate number and ignoring the displayed

value
and internally replacing it with the "ceiling" numbers.

I've been told that there are built-in caps for most stats in the game.
Armor
is supposedly capped at 567, while magic resistance and the three
elemental
resistances are all capped at 85%.
can be

The magic and elemental resistances

stacked (resulting in a 97% cap for elemental resistance) but I really

can't
say for sure.
hammered

I've been able to stand completely still while being

by Bandit Marauders, a Bandit Chief, and a half dozen lower-level bandit

types
without my health budging.
and the

Two of them were spamming elemental spells

rest were beating on me with a variety of weapons; some enchanted, some

not.
My health hardly budged at all (I lost ten to fifteen health after a
full
minute of taunting them), which doesn't seem right at all with these
supposed
caps.
the

These may simply be the "normal" caps, assuming one isn't using

exploit, but I can't be sure without a whole lot of testing.

I'm

Currently,

operating under the assumption that the exploit overrides these caps,
since
the math really doesn't add up otherwise.
One glaring thing I've noticed is that an overcharged pair of gauntlets
seems
to impact the heavy armor's Fists of Steel perk.
armor

My gauntlets have an

rating of just over 200, but my unarmed attacks don't seem to do

anything
beyond normal damage.
still a

It's a minor price to pay, in my opinion, but

little annoying (only because I can't punch dragons to death now).

How the exploit works:

Basically, the problem is that the Fortify Restoration potion, either
due to a
programming glitch or simple oversight, has an effect on fortify skill
enchants

on equipment.
basically

When you combine this exploit with alchemy, you can

"overcharge" a restoration potion through alchemy-enchanted gear.

growth
is exponential because of simple rules of mathematics.
following

This

Take the

example into your meaty gray-matter:

Full set of alchemy gear (without Falmer helmet glitch)
Ring, gauntlets, helmet, amulet; each +25% to alchemy
This results in a +100% (or double) any potions made with this gear
equipped.
If your alchemy level allows a +15% Fortify Restoration Potion to be
made,
this is now a +30%.
When you make your +30% potion, drink it, and reapply your equipment,
this will
now raise your alchemy enchantment to +30% per item, or something around
+32%
instead of +25%.
new

Your total is now +128% instead of +100%.

Creating a

potion increases the next potion you make to something like +34%.
boost is
small at first, but will grow exponentially.
If you don't understand exponents, just think of it like this:
2^8 (or two-to-the-eight-power) might seem like small increases at
first, but
will grow rapidly.
2^2 (two to the second power) is only 4.
2^3 (two to the third) is 8.
2^4 (two to the fourth) is 16
2^5 (two to the fifth) is 32
2^6 (two to the sixth) is 64
2^7 (two to the seventh) is 128
2^8 (two to the eight) is 256

2*2=4.

The

So while the initial increase is only +2, the difference in simply eight
steps
is +254.

This works exactly the same way with this exploit.

Where the exploit comes from/who discovered it:

I have no clue.
Pages,

I originally found it on the Unofficial Elder Scrolls

which is where I always looked for my Oblivion help, and continued to do

with
Skyrim.
while

I found the page with this information by a complete fluke

looking for a way to quickly raise skills.

I highly suggest the site if you're into the lore of Tamriel, want to
explore
the storyline of older games without having to leap through hoops to
play them
on a modern system, or to get information about the MANY, MANY bugs
related to
quests, items, or any other number of problems faced with anyone
challenging
the dangers of Tamriel's creatures (and programming).
No offense to the other FAQ and Walkthrough authors out there (I both
respect
and greatly appreciate the hard work it takes making these things, and
have
always relied on GameFAQ authors in the past), but the wiki layout is
FAR
easier to navigate if you're looking for something very specific, such
as the
location of an item, a dungeon, or NPC.

Special Thanks!
I want to start by thanking each and every person who's taken the time
to read
this FAQ.
awesome

I really didn't expect to see so many hits on it, and it's

to know so many people are reading it.

are

On a more personal level, there

some people who've brought up some good points that I've included in
this
rewrite of the FAQ.
armyofsephiroth - Pointed out the Extra Pocket sidenote to the alchemy
exploit,
the magic resistance and armor caps, the falmer and Penitus Oculatus
helmet
glitch, as well as giving me the idea for the alchemy path to the
exploit. You
took a lot of time explaining this stuff in detail, and I really
appreciate the
input.
Steve - Pointed out the location for good fishing as well as reminding
me to
point out how important it is to save before doing anything and wasting
reagents while trying to figure things out.
"drinking

He also brought up the

multiple restoration potions" theory that I tested and that keeping your
inventory clean to speed things up when unequipping and reequipping your
gear
is a really good idea.
Robin - Pointed out my glaring mistake in the UESP website, which has
been
corrected.

That is all.

Unknown - I screwed up and deleted the e-mail without writing down your
name,
so I apologize.
and I

My phone makes checking mail a pain most of the time,

didn't get to respond to the e-mail, making it a double-screw-up.

Either way,
you know you are, and I want to thank you for giving me the full link to
the
UESP wiki page that contains all of the information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This FAQ is copyright 2012 by Jeremy Lusk (thesabrestorm@aol.com).

FAQ is

This

free to copy and distribute, provided the FAQ remains intact, with
credit
given to this original author.
how this

The author takes no responsibility for

FAQ is used, or any damage to game saves, in-game equipment, or anything

of the
sort.
game

Use at your own risk, and save before doing anything to abuse in-

exploits.
Any questions, compliments, suggestions, or complaints may be sent
directly to
the author via email at thesabrestorm@aol.com.
and

Questions, compliments,

suggestions will be answered in the order received, when I have time.

Complaints will be mocked appropriately, also in the order received.
Have a nice day.