Potion Creation Question

[Cidius]

When its says caster level in the (Spell Level x Casters lvl x 25gp) when creation potions. Does that mean if i make a level 4 spell potion at level 8 it will cost more to make then at level 4? is this correct?

[Yuki Akuma]

Well, for a start, you can't make 4th level potions at level 4.

You can craft spell-casting magic items with lower caster levels, if you want, as long as it's high enough to cast the spell in the first place. So the minimum CL for a potion of a 4th level spell is (generally) 7. You could craft it with a CL of 8, and it would therefore last longer/heal more/whatever the CL-based components of the spell are, but it would also cost more.

As an example:

You are a level 8 Druid with Brew Potion. You want to craft a Potion of Air Walk. If you craft it with a CL of 7, it will cost you (4 x 7 x 25) = 700 gp and (700 / 25) = 28 experience points, and it will last for 70 minutes. If you craft it with a CL of 8, it will cost you (4 x 8 x 25) = 800 gp and (800 / 25) = 32 experience points, and it will last for 80 minutes.

Note: Pathfinder doesn't have XP costs for crafting magic items, if you happen to be playing that.

[Cidius]

How would this translate towards a potion of cure light wounds for example? would it increase the HD?

[Yuki Akuma]

Potion of Cure Light Wounds:

CL 1: 25 gp, 1 xp; heals 1d8+1

CL 2: 50 gp, 2 xp; heals 1d8+2

CL 3: 75 gp, 3 xp; heals 1d8+3

CL 4: 100 gp, 4 xp; heals 1d8+4

CL 5: 125 gp, 5 xp; heals 1d8+5

Don't craft potions of CLW above CL 5, it's a waste.

[Cidius]

Well for the class i am making (Iron Chef) i am creating a single item that dosent increase as he gains levels so a Meal infused the spell of Cure Light Wounds will always stay at its base 1D8+1.

However i was tinkering with the idea of replacing the 1/25 XP cost with additional GP cost. Is there any way to estimate the appropriate cost of this?

Or would it be better / fair to continue with the XP cost?

[ericgrau]

It's a house rule and not a real rule but typically 1 xp is replaced with 5 gp, the same amount you pay NPCs for their xp.

[KillianHawkeye]

So the minimum CL for a potion of a 4th level spell is (generally) 7.

Just as a point of reference, you can't make a potion with a 4th level spell. Potions are limited to spells of 3rd level or lower.

[Yuki Akuma]

Just as a point of reference, you can't make a potion with a 4th level spell. Potions are limited to spells of 3rd level or lower.

Bwuh

I thought it was 4th. Was that wands?

[ericgrau]

Yeup.

Given the cost it's no big loss anyway until about level 15, and by then you might start using UMD even with cross class ranks. The major high level potion you want is fly, assuming you fly infrequently enough to not have a permanent item of flight. The major core 4th level spells I saw for a non-caster were greater invisibility, polymorph and stoneskin. And for greater invisibility dust of disappearance is much much better even with the cost.

[Fax Celestis]

Just as a point of reference, you can't make a potion with a 4th level spell. Potions are limited to spells of 3rd level or lower.

Master Alchemist and Alchemist Savant both increase the maximum level you can make potions into.