Bitter Drink is a makeshift healing aid item in Fallout: New Vegas.
Background
Originating from Twin Mothers, bitter drink is carried by legionaries and is consumed by wounded soldiers on the Legion's long forced marches. The drink is known for its bitterness, so much so that it needs to be drunk in one shot. It derives its name from curing the wounds but leaving the "bitter" pain from them.[1]
Gameplay
Bitter drink is roughly as strong as healing powder, but does not carry the usual side effects that come from the use thereof - making it a highly effective means for replenishing health outside of combat. At any given level of Medicine skill, bitter drink restores slightly more hit points than Stimpaks, although the time required for the full effect is much longer. Bitter drink counts as a chem, rather than a drink. Despite the fact that it requires Survival skill to craft, its effectiveness is governed by the Medicine skill.
Medicine skill effect
| Skill | Effect |
|---|---|
| 10 | +2 HP for 18s |
| 20 | +2 HP for 18s |
| 30 | +3 HP for 18s |
| 40 | +3 HP for 18s |
| 50 | +4 HP for 18s |
| 60 | +4 HP for 18s |
| 70 | +4 HP for 18s |
| 80 | +5 HP for 18s |
| 90 | +5 HP for 18s |
| 100 | +6 HP for 18s |
Crafting
This item can be crafted by the Courier.
| Materials: | Requirements: | Produces: | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Broc Flower (1) Xander root (1) |  | Build/Scrapped at: Skill Level: Survival: 15 Plan: DLC: | | Bitter drink (1) |
Locations
- These can be found on legionary assassins and recruit legionaries.
- Sometimes sold by Traveling Merchants.
Notes
- The healing from this item counts toward the Stim-ply Amazing challenge and achievement/trophy.
- The hot-key icon for the bitter drink is the same one used for chems, rather than the one used for drinks or food.
- The world model and Pip-Boy icon of the item is a clay jug with decorative paint around the bottom.
Behind the scenes
When asked about implementing the recipe, Chris Avellone stated that the "Bitter Drink recipe came from the Twin Mothers in the East, so you'd have to find someone who met them."[Dev 1]
References
- ↑ Courier: "Any recipes you can teach?"
Ulysses: "Depends what history has to say about them. There's a lot the land can provide... if you know the road that led to it. Mojave's got ways of healing most ills - if not, some tribe's usually found a way you didn't expect. Like Healing Powders. Tribes back West only use Xander and Broc flower. There's a way the Twin Mothers in the East used to brew it, though. Called it Bitter Drink, mixed up the Xander and Broc in a bottle, added some kick to it so your head doesn't get all clouded."
Courier: "What's the history of it?"
Ulysses: "History? Cures a wound, leaves the bitterness that caused it. The Twin Mothers were always about lessons. Caesar taught them the last one, though, so that's it for them. Recipe still exists, Legion uses it on forced marches with wounded soldiers. Wouldn't have made it through Crimson River Trail a few years back without it - losing so much blood early on, was a Cazador feast. Enough Xander root and Broc flower along the trail though, the Legion was able to keep pace and get where they were going."
Courier: "Can you share the recipe with me?"
Ulysses: "Can do that and one better... just enough around to mix some. Here - might make the Twin Mothers' history live a little longer, you carrying it. When you drink it, down it all in one shot, or your stomach's not going to want to keep going after the second drink."
(Ulysses/Dialogue)
