The Drunken Lizard Pub

so what skill level do I need to be at in alchemy to not cause an explosion every single time I mix something? I'm at 4 now. I assume since I can't find any recipes that most if not all potions are found through discovery so...

There's a pretty big range. The most you can usually make to start out with is healing/mana potions.

If you ignore the receipes things blow up all the time. But if you follow them correctly you still have to be careful you've studdied long enough so accidents don't happen..ie., the higher level you have the better potion you can make successfully. I think 20 or 22 is the higher limit and not have things blow up. Each + for heal or mana for example you have to be higher to cast. I just save up the harder to find ingredients for better potions when I have enough levels. If you find +2 Brewmaster rings, those help a lot too. Just remember to take them off and put your battle rings back on!

You definitely need Alchemy at 22 for the best enchantments to items, but healing elixirs and mana potions start at level 1 for the weakest type. I haven't had a chance to go back and test all the levels for the other potions in between.