I'm curious - which potions do you guys use on a regular basis? Do you stick to your favorite combination, or do you experiment a lot? Do you just use the "simple" ones, like swallow or tawny owl, or do you also use the "complicated" ones, that have negative side effects? What about the more exotic potions, like the one that makes blocking use less vigor?

My usual combination is swallow + wolf (before getting wolf, I used rook instead), or just one of them. Even though it's very little, having some vitality regeneration during combat is somewhat reassuring, and I like wolf because it's more interesting and fun than just increasing damage. If possible, I use flare bombs instead of cat potions (imo, cat makes the graphics not look good anymore). I usually use potions only if I know beforehand there'll be a big fight, or if I have to reload after dying, since 10 minutes duration is too short for exploration.

My regular combination during the alchemy build is Virga + Gadwall + Swallow to the effect of +5 vitality regen in combat, +32% armor and immunity to all crit. effects. I have to drink them most of the time because I rely on toxicity for passive bonuses and adrenaline.

When i don't have the "catalysis" talent (which negates all side effect and boost potions ) , i don't use "complicated" potions at all , except Tiara that i used quite often with my pure swordsman build ( who had only 3 in vigor ) and the Virga potion more rarely

So without catalysis and without taster talents , i use swallow+rook+wolf most of the time or swallow+rook+golden oriole

With catalysis and taster , i use so many combinations depending my build and the situation that it is hard to write them all here :)

But basically , since "simple potions" like swallow or rook become very powerful with only 25% in toxicity , one combo i use often is the simple combo of 4 : swallow+rook+wolf+golden oriole

Otherwise against bosses or tough opponents , i often use thunderbolt+rook+swallow (especially if my Geralt alchemy-sword build is optimized for damage output ) .
More rarely , Thunderbolt+White raffard's decoction

It really depends on the situation.

I just finished with a heavy magic build on Iorveth path with a lot of Sign Intensity and I used Lapwing/Tawny Owl/Maribor Forrest to maximize the vigor/vigor regeneration so I could spam Igni like a freak. =P

If going for a more traditional build(swordsmanship),I used Gadwall/Virga/Thunderbolt.

My next playthrough I will invest half or quarter of my points in alchemy and going sword or magic,don't know yet to see how a 4th potion will be.

Personally, I can't be bothered with potions 'cos they're too time consuming.
(yes, I play insane mode)

Same here. The game almost inadvertantly forces you NOT to use potions. I'm playing on normal currently, so they're not really needed. But having to meditate to use them is a deal-breaker for me. Yeah, I know it's that way in the Book, but this ain't a book, it's a computer game.

I'm especially peeved that you can't heal during combat with Boss fights. Because of the looooong cutscenes before the fight, any potion you take has worn off already (timers during cutscenes???).

So I've used the occassional Gadwall (because I had to) and Mongoose (because I thought I had to) and Cat and Swallow. But for the most part, I don't use any.

After they fix the ability for using potions anytime in game, then they need to fix the Alchemy screen for making potions. Maybe then I'll start using potions.

Eh, all they would have to do to make it tolerable is allow you to use the "skip cutscene" button.