[RPG] Adventurers League: Brewing Potions of Healing vs. Purchasing Them

The material is covered in the Adventurers' League Player's Guide. It changes each season, so it is best obtained from the Dungeon Master's Guild as part of the Player's Pack. It's a free download, though you do need to register for the site.

Adventurers' League primarily functions on the honor system. There is no master record that needs to be updated anywhere, just the two character's log sheets.

Basic Requirements

• Only permanent magic items can be traded; consumables like potions and scrolls cannot be traded (they can be shared while at the same table, but if unused, possession reverts to the owner at the end of the session).
• The items to be traded must have matching rarities. If you want a Rare item, you have to have a Rare item to swap for it. Items without a rarity are considered "unique," and may not be traded.
• Certificates are no longer required, unless the item does not have a published rarity. If the rarity is only established/printed on the certificate, then the certificate must go with the trade. If the player does have a certificate, and it is not required to establish rarity, it must be destroyed or physically handed off.

Same Table

Players simply swap the magic items and note the change - include the character name, player name, and player's DCI number (if available) and you're all set.

I like to record which adventure or module the player got the item from. They should have all this information on their own adventure log. If they don't, you should be wondering how they got the item to begin with. Plus, some items have special minor functions that are unique to the source - for example, the Bracers of Archery from one particular module also provide protection against high and low temperatures. Bracers of Archery obtained by other means lack this extra benefit.

Different Table

Each player deducts 15 downtime from their character and proceed as above. The downtime reflects the characters meeting each other somewhere or working with third-party agents to facilitate the trade.

Self Trades

If the same player controls both characters, they can never meet at the same table. Conduct the trade like a different table trade - both characters pay the downtime.

_{On Seasons
This answer was originally written during Season 7. Season 8 added an additional requirement of matching the Magic Item Table from the DMG. As of Season 9, the magic item trading rules have gone back to how they were in Season 7 (minus lifestyle expenses, which I removed the reference to anyway). Who knows what will happen when Season 10 rolls around sometime in late 2020 or early 2021.}

Generally, no...

The Adventurers League Players Pack contains the documents that detail your options in AL play. Purchases are restricted to items in the PHB. The only potion available for sale without special documentation is the basic Potion of Healing. There are no other magic items in the PHB - no potions, no scrolls - so they can't be purchased either.

...unless you're of sufficient rank in a faction...

Characters who reach rank 3 in their faction can use downtime and gold to acquire magic items from a very limited list: +1 weapons, shields, and armor are available to all faction members, and each faction allows access to a single uncommon item and a single rare item.

...attend an event featuring Fai Chen's Fantastic Faire...

Fai Chen's is available to public events of sufficient size that register with WoTC for it in advance. Fai Chen trades (but does not sell) permanent magic items, sells scrolls up to 5th level (one per transaction per event), strange trinkets, and occasionally special mounts and property deeds.

...or adventure in Chult.

There is a very small number of magical weapons and shields, plus scrolls and potions, available for purchase only to characters playing Season 7 content - DDAL modules and Tomb of Annihilation. These purchases are only available as a downtime activity.