I think you always need the Herbalism kit itself to craft potions. The basic potions don't require Arcana proficiency, but higher quality potions do.
EDIT:
A character who has proficiency with the Herbalism Kit can create a Potion of Healing. Doing so requires using this kit and 25 GP of raw material over the course of 1 day (8 hours of work).
You need the kit and proficiency in it to create a basic potion of Healing.
So it seems to me that the kit or supplies are always needed, as well as Arcana, except for the special exception for the basic PoH.
Not exactly.
The basic Potion of Healing can be created using either proficiency in Arcana or proficiency and possession of an Herbalism Kit.
All other potions can only be created with proficiency in Arcana, but no 'kit' is required.
In both cases, supplies (and an amount of time) are required in all cases based on the following table:
Rarity
Cost of Supplies
Time Required
Common (including Potion of Healing)
25 GP
2.5 days using Arcana/1 day using Herbalism Kit
Uncommon
100 GP
5 days
Rare
1,000 GP
25 days
Very Rare
10,000 GP
62.5 days
Legendary
50,000 GP
125 days
As I understand it, this is RAW under the 2024 PHB and the 2024 DMG. A DM may adjust this based on various circumstances, but this is the generic starting point.
So it seems to me that the kit or supplies are always needed, as well as Arcana, except for the special exception for the basic PoH.
Not exactly.
The basic Potion of Healing can be created using either proficiency in Arcana or proficiency and possession of an Herbalism Kit.
All other potions can only be created with proficiency in Arcana, but no 'kit' is required.
This is not accurate. According to the DMG:
Arcana Proficiency
To craft a magic item, you and any assistants must have proficiency in the Arcana skill.
And (emphasis mine):
Tools
The Magic Item Tools table lists which tool is required to make a magic item of each category. You must use the required tool to make an item and have proficiency with that tool. Any assistants must also have proficiency with it. For more information on the tools, see the Player’s Handbook.
I think you always need the Herbalism kit itself to craft potions. The basic potions don't require Arcana proficiency, but higher quality potions do.
EDIT:
You need the kit and proficiency in it to create a basic potion of Healing.
I agree Stabbey, and you can also make healing potions with alchemist supplies and arcana
So it seems to me that the kit or supplies are always needed, as well as Arcana, except for the special exception for the basic PoH.
Not exactly.
The basic Potion of Healing can be created using either proficiency in Arcana or proficiency and possession of an Herbalism Kit.
All other potions can only be created with proficiency in Arcana, but no 'kit' is required.
In both cases, supplies (and an amount of time) are required in all cases based on the following table:
As I understand it, this is RAW under the 2024 PHB and the 2024 DMG. A DM may adjust this based on various circumstances, but this is the generic starting point.
This is not accurate. According to the DMG:
And (emphasis mine):
Magic Item Tools
Ah! You are right. I wasn't thinking about that fact.
Yes, a kit is always required.