There is a fundamental flaw in the alchemy system in all three games: gaining a level of skill does not gain you any knowledge of how to make potions. This is, of course, ridiculous. It means that each time you advance in Alchemy you are simply given permission to blow yourself up with increasingly-lethal explosions. I am a very "strict constructionist" in playing MM, but I have never had any hesitation about looking up alchemical recipes on websites. It is silly to think that you could become a master or grandmaster of Alchemy without being taught how to mix the appropriate potions.(I also would not play an "Ironman" game (or, as you spelled it, an "Ironmam" game--I assume that is one with a female main character. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) :-)
