Potions
A potion is a magic liquid that produces its effect when imbibed. It can duplicate any spell of 3rd level or lower that has a casting time of less than 1 minute and targets one or more creatures or objects. Potions can only be used once.
Oils
Oils work identically to potions except they are applied externally to a creature or object rather than imbibed. The person applying the oil is the effective caster; the object or creature is the target.
Pricing
The price of a potion is spell level × caster level × 50 gp. If the potion has a material component cost, it is added to the base price. The table below gives costs at the minimum caster level for each class. Because some spells appear at different levels for different classes, the brewing class determines the price.
| Spell Level | Cleric / Druid / Wizard | Sorcerer | Bard | Paladin / Ranger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 25 gp | 25 gp | 25 gp | — |
| 1st | 50 gp | 50 gp | 50 gp | 50 gp |
| 2nd | 300 gp | 400 gp | 400 gp | 400 gp |
| 3rd | 750 gp | 900 gp | 1,050 gp | 1,050 gp |
Random Generation
| Minor | Medium | Major | Spell Level | Min. Caster Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01–20 | — | — | 0 | 1st |
| 21–60 | 01–20 | — | 1st | 1st |
| 61–100 | 21–60 | 01–20 | 2nd | 3rd |
| — | 61–100 | 21–100 | 3rd | 5th |
Physical Description
A typical potion or oil consists of 1 ounce of liquid held in a ceramic or glass vial fitted with a tight stopper. The vial is usually no more than 1 inch wide and 2 inches high. The vial has AC 13, 1 hit point, hardness 1, and a break DC of 12.
Identifying Potions
Standard identification methods apply (detect magic + Spellcraft, identify spell). In addition, a character may sample from the container to identify the potion with a Perception check (DC = 15 + spell level). This DC may be higher for rare or unusual potions.
Note that tasting a potion does not activate it — only swallowing the full dose does.
Activation
Drinking a potion or applying an oil is a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity. An enemy may target the container rather than the character on an attack of opportunity — a successful hit destroys the vial, wasting the potion.
Unlike wands and scrolls, any creature can use a potion — no class restriction, no UMD check. The user removes the stopper and swallows. The drinker is both the effective target and caster of the effect (the caster level is fixed by the brewer, but the drinker controls the effect).
A character can carefully administer a potion to an unconscious creature as a full-round action, trickling the liquid down the creature's throat. Applying an oil to an unconscious creature also takes a full-round action. Incorporeal creatures cannot use potions or oils.