Blizzard (Potion)

“*Witchers usually drink the Blizzard potion immediately before combat. The potion is also favored in especially dangerous situations.*”
―Scribble on the wall of a Burov Mylne outhouse, made by an anonymous Fox Adept

## Information

### Ingredients

**Base Level*** 1 unit of White myrtle petals
* 1 Golem's heart

**Enhanced Solution**

* 1 Bottle of Blizzard
* 1 Bottle of Alcohest
* 1 unit of Celandine
* 5 units of White myrtle petals
* 1 Golem's heart

**Superior Solution**

* 1 Bottle of Enhanced Blizzard
* 1 Bottle of White Gull
* 4 units of Celandine
* 4 units of White myrtle petals
* 1 Sewant mushroom
* 1 unit of Buckthorn
* 1 unit of Rebis

### Contraeffect (s)

Altered Mental State
Cold Sensation
Sluggish Movement Post-Effect
Increased Metabolism
Potential Disorientation

### Duration

20 minutes to 1 hour ( depends on the version )

Following the Conjunction of the Spheres, the mages working with witchers would develop this potion specifically for fighting against groups of enemies and monsters that move fast or teleport, such as wraiths and various types of vampires.

## Brewing and Alchemical Ingredient Explanation

The method for preparing the Blizzard potion is as follows for the base level potion:

1. Begin by mashing the unit of White myrtle petals along with the Golem's heart with a mortar and pestle.
2. In a separate pot, pour the Dwarven Spirit and bring it to a simmer. (This will burn off some of the alcohol from the Spirit)
3. Add the petal and golem heart mixture to the Dwarven spirit, and simmer the mixture for a few minutes.
4. Once the mixture has simmered for a few minutes, strain out anything solid and set the liquid aside. (Obviously potions should not be chunky so solids are drained out for the next step.)
5. Bottle the potion and allow it to cool before using.

## Effects

The Blizzard potion bestows a range of effects upon a witcher. Primarily, it significantly elevates their reflexes, endowing them with the capability to respond with exceptional speed to imminent threats and incoming attacks. As the elixir takes hold, time itself seems to decelerate for the witcher, fostering heightened perception that translates into more precise and calculated movements during combat.

This altered time perception serves as a catalyst for an overall enhancement in the witcher's combat awareness. With the ability to perceive time as if slowed down, they gain a distinct advantage in anticipating enemy movements and actions, allowing for a more effective and strategic response to the ebb and flow of battle.

## Contraeffects/Side Effects

Some of the potential side effects of consuming Blizzard potion are:

* **Altered Mental State**: The sensation of "slowing down time" could have psychological effects, altering the witcher's mental state during the potion's duration. They might become more focused, or conversely, experience heightened anxiety due to the prolonged perception of threats (although the latter is more common in novice witchers than in more experienced ones).
* **Cold Sensation**: The witcher might experience an intense cold sensation throughout their body, potentially leading to temporary discomfort and shivering.
* **Sluggish Movement Post-Effect**: After the potion wears off, there might be a brief period where the witcher's body needs time to readjust to normal speed. They might feel slightly sluggish or find it challenging to move as swiftly immediately after the potion's effects fade.
* **Increased Metabolism**: Similar to the Maribor Forest potion, the potion's effects might lead to a temporary increase in metabolism to support heightened reflexes and movements. This could result in a feeling of increased hunger or thirst after the potion wears off.
* **Potential Disorientation**: The altered perception of time might cause mild disorientation, especially when transitioning back to normal speed. This could be a factor that the witcher needs to consider when planning their combat strategy.

## Trivia

* The name for the potion has a two fold meaning:
	+ When under the effect of this potion everything moves slower as if seized up by a icy wind.
	+ As already mentioned, this icy blue potion leaves a witcher physically feeling colder as if stepping in from a blizzard themselves.

## Notes

* For a more in-universe and not so "gameplay mechanics" version, the information given by The Witcher 1 has been used to elaborate the article.