Potions, salves, and balms are a staple of any TTRPG and in D&D they are so common and used by so many characters that most players don't stop to think about which ones are the most useful. From healing potions to potions that make you fly or stick to walls; we're going to examine the Top Ten Potions in D&D.
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POTION OF GIANT STRENGTH
Coming in a variety of versions equal to the number of types of giants roaming the land, the Potion of Giant Strength grants the imbiber vastly increased strength for one hour. Depending on which version you drink (Potion of Storm Giant Strength is the most effective, changing your Strength to 29). This potion is useful in a multitude of situations that are non-combat related, but its primary utility would most likely be on the battlefield, used by a melee character.
POTION OF CLAIRVOYANCE
An underrated potion in general, the Potion of Clairvoyance essentially gives the same effects as the clairvoyance spell. Within up to one mile of where you are, you can create a sort of sensor from which you can either see or hear what is going on. This can come in handy for groups who don't have utility-focused spellcasters, or who don't have spellcasters at all. Especially for quests in which you're trying to gain intel, or in which you need to hear or see what an enemy is up to.
POTION OF WATER BREATHING
The Potion of Water Breathing is a TTRPG classic. One of the reasons for this is that its effects are very simple - imbibe the liquid, and you get to breathe underwater for an entire hour. However, the liquid itself is cloudy, green, smells like low tide, and has a jellyfish-looking bubble floating inside so it's not super appetizing. But breathing underwater is TIGHT! If you need to explore some underwater ruins, or some sea caverns, this is up your alley.
POTION OF FLYING
Like the Potion of Water Breathing, this potion's effects are also pretty simple - When you drink it, you get to fly for up to one hour at your normal movement speed (and you can hover as well). Just make sure that you aren't too far above ground when the effects of the potion wear off, or you're going to have to hope you have another to drink on your way crashing to the ground. The Potion of Flying is a great tool to have in any adventurer's bag of tricks.
POTION OF RESISTANCE
Like the Potions of Giant Strength, there are many different varieties of Potions of Resistance. All of them grant the imbiber resistance to a certain element or effect for up to one hour. This can come in very handy when your party is going up against an elemental creature, or up against a mage who specializes in a certain spell type. Very handy.
POTION OF FIRE BREATH
This smoking, orange liquid goes down like a fine whiskey and then burbles its way back up allowing the imbiber to actually breathe fire in a cone area of effect. Though there's not much application outside of combat for a potion like this, the Potion of Fire Breath is a great addition to the adventurer's combat tools. Breathing fire is a good way to clear a cavern of some pesky goblins, that's for sure.
POTION OF SPEED
The Potion of Speed has great utility in combat, as it basically gives the effects of a haste spell and lasts 1 minute. Having a +2 bonus to AC, doubling your movement speed, taking an extra action, and gaining advantage on Dexterity saving throws is not a bad deal at all for imbibing the yellow and black swirled liquid that every adventuring party should own at least one bottle of.
POTION OF INVISIBILITY
The Potion of Invisibility is perhaps the most versatile potion that exists in D&D. When players wish for their characters to go unseen, this is the go-to method and can be a great solution to all sorts of problems on and off the battlefield. When a character drinks this concoction, they turn invisible for 1 hour, unless they decide to attack or cast a spell in which case, they become visible again. Characters can still be heard, but their equipment turns invisible as well for the duration.
POTION OF HEALING
Now when you talk about "classic" potions of D&D and other TTRPGs, the Potion of Healing is the gold standard. Depending on which version you have (Healing, Greater Healing, Superior Healing, Supreme Healing) it can recoup a certain amount of HP for your character in an instant, bringing them back from the threshold of death. No self-respecting adventurer should go out into the dangerous wilds without at least one bottle of the magical liquid.
POTION OF ANIMAL FRIENDSHIP
One potion that a lot of adventurers overlook but shouldn't is the Potion of Animal Friendship. After drinking the murky liquid, the imbiber can effectively cast animal friendship at will for up to 1 hour. This is actually incredibly useful and if you don't have a druid in your party can be an effective way to befriend creatures who might aid you in some way while in the wilderness.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments below! This list is in no particular order, really - just a bunch of potions I've found the most useful in my sessions and potions my players have used or have wanted to use in game. -Joe