Fisch‘s surprise Version 1.86.1 update arrived with Glitched potion, Glitched fish, and Soul Pool mechanics. The headline addition is the mysterious Shady Alchemist, a new NPC in the Shady Bazaar who allows players to upgrade existing potions into stronger versions.
The update also completely changes how glitched fish function, restores Soul Pools, and adds new rewards for dedicated players.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Update Version | 1.86.1 |
| Main Addition | Shady Alchemist NPC |
| Location | Shady Bazaar |
| New System | Potion Tier Upgrading |
| Major Change | Glitched fish are now permanent attributes |
| Soul Pools | Fixed and functioning again |
| Aquarium Loot | Glitch Potions re-added |
| Developer Event | June 14 Q&A Session |
| Potential Rewards | Codes, leaks, Fishfest information |
Where to find the Shady Alchemist
The new Shady Alchemist can be found inside the Shady Bazaar. This NPC introduces an entirely new progression mechanic focused on upgrading existing potions into stronger versions.

Rather than collecting only higher-tier potions through luck or events, you can now combine lower-tier versions and special resources to create improved variants. This gives long-term value to potion farming and creates another use for Shady Scripts.
How the new potion tier system works
The Shady Alchemist offers two important upgrade paths:
Glitch Fusion
Glitch Fusion allows players to combine resources and lower-tier potions to create stronger glitch-related potions.

Glitch Ascension
Glitch Ascension acts as a higher-level upgrade process that further improves potion quality and effectiveness.
The system can be applied to several potion categories, including:
| Potion Type | Upgradeable |
|---|---|
| Glitch Potions | Yes |
| Luck Potions | Yes |
| Lure Potions | Yes |
Most upgrades require a combination of:
| Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Lower-Tier Potions | Base ingredient |
| Shady Scripts | Upgrade currency |
| Alchemist Services | Tier advancement |
This gives players another meaningful progression path beyond standard fishing and event grinding.
How glitched fish work after the update
One of the biggest changes in Version 1.86.1 affects glitched fish.
Previously, the Glitched effect behaved like a mutation. After the update, glitched fish now possess a permanent glitched attribute instead.
This change comes with several important restrictions.
| Activity | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Counts for quests | Yes |
| Appraisal for profit | No |
| Sell to vendors | No |
| Place in aquarium | No |
The developers appear to be positioning glitched fish as collectible or progression-focused catches rather than valuable money-making assets.

While some players may be disappointed by the inability to sell them, the positive change is that these fish now contribute toward quest completion, making them more useful for progression.
Soul Pools are working again
Another notable fix addresses Soul Pools, which had reportedly stopped functioning properly.
The developers restored Soul Pool functionality and introduced a useful quality-of-life feature: a visible Soul Vision timer.

Now, when Soul Vision is active, players can immediately see how much time remains before the effect expires.
| Soul Pool Change | Result |
|---|---|
| Functionality Restored | Soul Pools work correctly |
| Soul Vision Timer Added | Remaining duration is displayed |
| User Experience | Easier effect management |
This small addition makes it much easier to plan fishing routes and maximize the benefits provided by Soul Vision.
Glitch Potions return to aquarium rewards
Players who enjoy aquarium rewards have another reason to keep opening loot.
Glitch Potions have officially been added back into the aquarium reward pool.

Based on developer information shared during the update, the drop chance appears to be roughly 0.25%, making them relatively rare rewards.
| Aquarium Reward | Estimated Chance |
|---|---|
| Glitch Potion | Approximately 0.25% |
Although uncommon, this provides another passive method of obtaining valuable potion resources.
Developer Q&A scheduled for June 14
The Fisch development team has announced a community Q&A session scheduled for June 14 at 2:00 PM ET.
The event is expected to discuss upcoming content and answer player questions. Developers also hinted that attendees may receive exclusive codes and early information about future updates.
Potential topics include:
| Expected Discussion | Status |
|---|---|
| Fishfest Information | Expected |
| Future Updates | Expected |
| Community Questions | Confirmed |
| Exclusive Codes | Possible |
| Content Leaks/Teasers | Possible |
For active Fisch players, this may be one of the best opportunities to learn what is coming next.
What this update means for Fisch players
Version 1.86.1 focuses less on adding new fish and more on strengthening long-term progression systems. The Shady Alchemist gives purpose to collecting extra potions and Shady Scripts, while the rework of glitched fish establishes a clearer identity for these unique catches.
The restoration of Soul Pools and the return of Glitch Potions to aquarium rewards are also welcome quality-of-life improvements. Combined with hints about Fishfest and future content, this update appears to be laying the groundwork for larger additions arriving later in the month.
The arrival of the Shady Alchemist marks one of the most significant progression updates Fisch has received recently. Players can now upgrade potions through Glitch Fusion and Glitch Ascension, glitched fish have been completely reworked, Soul Pools are functioning again, and aquarium rewards have been expanded. With a developer Q&A and Fishfest information on the horizon, Version 1.86.1 looks like the beginning of a much larger content cycle for Fisch.