CACHES AND CASES
Philosopher's Caches & Alchemist's Cases are the building blocks of most of the alchemy system. You could think of a Philsopher's Cache as a place to get ingredients, and an Alchemist's Case as a place to get recipes.
These are both level 1 formulae, which can be made from components readily found in towns/games/ZOMG caches. It is also possible to purchase a completed Philosopher's Cache from the Bifrost for 50,000 gold or 250GC, and (very rarely) get a Cache or a Case from Daily Chance.
It's now also possible to purchase bundles with multiple caches from the Bifrost. Whilst there is no cost advantage, there may be a time advantage for some users. The Caches now come in packs of 100, 500 and 1,000.
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Picture of cache crafting screen
Picture of case crafting screen
There are four crafting routes for each of them, with the first 3 being the same except that they require either bugs or paper or flowers, and the 4th being made from 5 or 10 Gold Giftboxes respectively. A Case requires 4 times as much towns material as a Cache.
Inside the Cache
When you successfully craft a Cache you have a few options. You can sell it as-is, or you can open it. If you open a Cache, you will get one of several different 'grab bags'- Amethyst, Aquamarine, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Gold, Platinum, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, or ZOMG, or alternatively a Heart Charm which is used in Go Fusion.
Each of these coloured caches contain a different set of components which are used in some formulae.
You can look
here for a list of which components are available in which caches, and
here to find out your likelihood of getting a particular bag when opening your Cache.
When you have got your coloured cache, you can select the component that you would like from it simply by clicking on the desired component, or alternatively you can sell the cache untouched.
Selecting component from cache
Here I am about to get a Tasty Ham out of a Sapphire Cache.
My suggestion if you don't want the Cache that you get, is to sell it unopened. In general, the Caches are more desirable than any of the components within them.
Inside the Case
If you open an Alchemist's Case, it will give you one formula. The formulae in here are all Alchemy exclusive, and not found in Enki's Catch, Enki's Drop, or in the Bifrost (the other main home of formulae). Obviously like a lot of other things on Gaia, there is an element of chance, with super desirable formulae (e.g. Backwings Quests) being more rare than others.
OTHER ALCHEMY CHANCE ITEMS
In addition to the main chance building blocks of the Alchemy system the Cache and Case, Gaia has released a variety of different Alchemy-related chance items. Here's a brief overview of what to expect if you open one. For more details, refer to
this thread
Alchemy Fusion Cache
Opening this chance item will give you 3 items used in Alchemy formulae. Most of these are equippable items which previously came from monthly CIs, although there is also a chance of receiving a Levelling Bundle.
Dusty Old Scroll
Opening this chance item will give you one formula. The item pool contains a few unique formulae, and also some formulae which exist in previous chance items, including the Inizio formulae. There is also a small chance of receiving Gaia Cash as a grant.
Ivan's Surplus
Opening this chance item will give you an item used in an Alchemy formula. These are all equippable items, and the item pool is fairly small.
Winged Crafting Chest
Opening this chance item will give you one component which is needed in a backwings quest, with a very small chance of containing an Inizio formula.
Ye Olde Trunk of Forgotten Things
Opening this chance item will give you an item which is used in an Alchemy Formula. These are mostly equippable items, but there is a chance of getting an Alchemy only component (including some crafted components).
Ye Olde Trove of Forgotten Things
Opening this chance item will give you five items which are used in Alchemy. These are mostly equippable items, but there is a chance of getting an Alchemy only component (including some crafted components). The item pool is fairly similar to the Trunks.