Complete Alchemy and Cooking Overhaul

⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ (29,827 endorsements) 📥 2.8M downloads 📌 v3.0.1 📅 9/14/2018
🟡 Updated this year

By kryptopyr · Alchemy

⬇ Download Mod Source: Nexus Mods 📅 Updated: 7/18/2026 📅 Created: 9/14/2018
⚠️ Install Order · 5 steps
1🛠️ SKSE64 — Skyrim Script Extender 64 Download ↗
2🔧 USSEP — Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch Download ↗
3🖥️ SkyUI — SkyUI (MCM framework) Download ↗
4🧩 Address Library — Address Library for SKSE Plugins Download ↗
5🔧 SSE Engine Fixes — SSE Engine Fixes Download ↗

Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.

🔍 Analysis

  • 👍 1.1% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
  • 🏆 #2 of 10 Alchemy mods in this game by downloads

📋 About This Mod

Classic Version | Compatibility | My Mods | Patreon | Donate

Alchemy is perhaps the most complex skill system in Skyrim and has the potential to be a beautifully nuanced crafting system.  Unfortunately, it is also plagued by inconsistencies, imbalances, and poor design choices that often reduce the skill to little more than an easy way to make a quick pile of gold.  This mod seeks to change that, to both balance and enhance the inherent complexity of this system and bring greater versatility and enjoyment to the Alchemist's craft.

A

LCHEMY

  • []All aspects of Alchemy have been reworked for greater balance and consistency.[/]

    []Fixes bugs relating to harvestable objects in Skyrim, including the flora respawn bug.

    []Options to set the duration of restore potions and damage poisons to 1, 5, or 10 seconds.[/]

    []All potions have been renamed to allow them to naturally sort from strongest to weakest.[/]

    []Player-created potions will be named to better reflect their strength and effects.[/]

    []Player-created potions will be fully consistent in strength, cost, and name to the ready-made potions found in game.[/]

    []Impure potions no longer provide a quick means to get rich.[/]

    []Adds 16 new alchemical effects that can be created from ingredients and found as ready-made potions.[/]

    []Grenades and long lasting weapons coatings open up new combat strategies and play-styles.[/]

    []New portable alchemy workstations allow potion creation to take place anywhere.[/]

    []Create salves and poultices which can be applied to bandages for an alternative to healing spells and potions.[/]

    []Distill weaker potions to make stronger versions.[/]

    []Over 100 new lore-friendly ingredients have been integrated into the world.[/]

    []Adds 51 new critters: 21 moths & butterflies, 11 dragonflies, and 19 pond fish.[/]

    []Harvest amounts from plants and animals have been adjusted for greater realism and less tedious gameplay.[/]

    []Hearthfire's gardening feature has been updated to include missing vanilla plants as well as many of the newly added ingredients.[/]

    []Features high-quality meshes and textures from some of the best modders and artists in the community.[/]

    []Harvest blood and other powerful alchemical ingredients from fallen enemies.  Vampires can use the blood to create unique blood potions.[/]

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🤖 AI-enhanced — based on mod data

Complete Alchemy and Cooking Overhaul by kryptopyr is a comprehensive rework of Skyrim's alchemy and cooking systems, aiming for balance and consistency from ingredient gathering to high-level crafting. With nearly 30,000 endorsements and 2.8 million downloads, it's a highly popular choice for players seeking a deeper, more cohesive experience.

✨ Key Features

Overhauls the alchemy system for a balanced and consistent experience.
Overhauls the cooking system with similar goals of balance and consistency.
Affects all aspects from harvesting and collecting ingredients to high-level crafting.

📊 Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

  • Massive community trust with 29,827 endorsements and 2.8 million downloads.
  • Actively maintained, last updated July 2026.
  • Aims for a unified experience across alchemy and cooking, not just a tweak.

⚠️ Cons

  • May require compatibility patches with other overhaul mods (not stated, but common for such mods).
  • Potential learning curve for players used to vanilla systems.
🎯 Is This For You?
For Skyrim players who want a deeper, more balanced alchemy and cooking experience without the hassle of multiple smaller mods. Perfect for role-players and crafters who spend hours gathering ingredients. Skip if you prefer the vanilla systems or want only minor tweaks.
📦 Install:Easy· Under 1 minute

💡 Beginner Tips

  • Check the mod's description page for full details on changes, as the summary is brief.
  • If you use other gameplay overhauls, look for compatibility patches on the mod page.
  • Start a new playthrough to fully experience the overhaul without mid-game conflicts.

📊 Mod Details

Game
Skyrim Mods
Author
kryptopyr
Version
3.0.1
Downloads
2,789,114
Endorsements
29,827
Category
Alchemy
Created
9/14/2018
Updated
7/18/2026

🔗 Required By 3 Mods

These mods list this mod as a dependency.

🧩 Commonly Used Together

Users add these mods to the same collections — a real compatibility signal, not an AI guess.

🔧 How to Install Skyrim Mods

Download from Nexus.

📖 Full step-by-step install guide for Skyrim →

Visit the official mod page for specific installation instructions for this mod.

🎮 Need cheat codes or console commands? Check ur gaming wiki for Skyrim commands, item IDs, and more.

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