Potions vs. elixirs

[baalbamoth]

ok so the diff I see between elixirs and potions are...

potions can only be made of spells level 3 or lower, that do not have a "personal" target designation, and are created through the brew potion or alchemy skill. (ps the number of spells that actually fall into these limits are pretty small, all of which are listed on d20pfsrd)

Elixirs can be made of any level, any spell, have a single use, and are created using craft wonderous item BUT if you want to create a special elixir/spell not covered in the PF core books it counts as a unique magic item and would require DM review and approval, probably requiring the character to do research before creation. (IE no energy body potion unless the DM gives you permission)

correct?

[Kevin Andrew Murphy]

Pretty much correct.

There's also the fact that the alchemist class has certain skills that they can use with potions but not with elixirs, making the difference in labels important, even though the item is used the same way in that you pop the cork and drink it.

[Benly]

There's also the fact that no published elixir actually does what a potion does - that is, exactly duplicate an existing spell and cast it on the drinker as if the potion-brewer had cast it. Only one elixir (love) even refers to a spell in describing its effects, and it has significant differences from casting the spell (changed duration, different target of affections).

This is the primary reason that I question people who claim that Craft Wondrous Item includes the functionality of Brew Potion on the basis of elixirs. Elixirs actually do something different from potions.