Skyrim mod makes portable alchemy a reality

Modders have put an awful lot of effort into making sure Skyrim has continually evolved and expanded in the years since it was first released into the world.

Many have focused on changing the game by adding everything from completely overhauled quests, cosy player homes and massive new dungeons to it, with a few even going as far as filling the Forgotten Vale with Elven zombies or providing Starfield fans with some flashy cosmic spells.

If you’re a player who loves experimenting with alchemy to create interesting elixirs and valuable philtres, but prefer the great outdoors to your cosy laboratory, a new mod might be worth taking a look at.

Sick of having to search Skyrim for an alchemy lab whenever you run out of potions?

The mod in question is called ‘Mortar and Pestle - Portable Alchemy’, and is the work of modder Edryu. Some of their previous projects have given the Dragonborn the chance to temper their armour and weapons without having to borrow a blacksmith’s workbench and summon their horse with a simple whistle.

This time, they’ve decided to provide alchemists with a means of trying out some ingredient combinations midway through a trip into the province’s wilds to replenish their stock of mountain flowers, sabrecat teeth and Nordic barnacles.

In order to do so you’ll need to acquire a new item, the mortar and pestle, which can be purchased from alchemy stores or found on the corpses of slain witches and hagravens.

Once in your inventory, this animated equipment will give you the chance to craft three different potions or poisons in the field before it’s removed from your inventory, ensuring that the game’s traditional alchemy labs don’t become obsolete.

Another balancing measure designed to stop you from simply hoarding a massive number of ceramic bowls and mashing sticks comes in the form of a potency penalty applied to potions created using them, with those brewed on the go being 25% weaker than elixirs crafted at a proper alchemy lab.

That said, if you find either of these restrictions too bothersome, you can seemingly toggle them off via the use of console commands.

Regardless of whether you’re now chilling by a stream while grinding together a healing potion using some freshly picked plants, make sure to follow us for more updates on The Elder Scrolls 6 and the interesting world of Skyrim modding. You can also check out our mods of the month for February 2023.