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Learn the best tips and tricks for the new Hardcore Mode in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 in our Beginner Guide that will help you with navigation, progression, and exploration.
Starting as a new player in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 can confuse you on where to go, what things to acquire, and so on. Although the game will guide you in the early hours of the game and will provide you with tutorials on all of its mechanics, it still can put you in a tough situation of which perks to acquire first. As your gear, skills, and perks play a major role in defining your play style, you must start in the best way possible to face the challenges. Moreover, playing cautiously will keep you away from danger, and it affects your main stats as well. Increasing the main stats helps build your character’s strength, mobility, and knowledge, which are crucial for the world of KCD2.
However, in the new Hardcore Mode, things get even tougher than the original difficulty. Unlike the original difficulty, a lot of the game’s systems will become unavailable, making exploration and fighting extremely hard and real. Moreover, it imposes permanent negative perks for further limitations and restrictions, requiring them to pursue a new and unique playstyle. In this guide, we will discuss the best beginner tips and tricks for the Hardcore Mode in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, including the best strategy that will help you progress through the first region.
What is the Hardcore Mode in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2?
Hardcore Mode is the official new toughest difficulty in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. It provides an authentic experience that reflects the adversities and brutality of medieval times. Starting a new game in the Hardcore Mode will turn on various limitations and restrictions for a realistic experience. The Hardcore Mode in KCD2 includes some of the stuff from the original game, including Perma Death, negative effects, no compass, and no player’s position on the map.
Additionally, the Devs have made the Hardcore Mode more challenging for KCD2 by adding more restrictions. Here are all the changes that every player will get to experience upon starting the Hardcore Mode.
- Reduced UI both in and out of combat.
- No Health and Stamina Bars.
- No Directional Indicators for attacking and defending.
- Disabled Fast Travel.
- Disabled Auto-Save.
- Player position on the map of KCD 2 is not marked.
- Compass Does Not Show Cardinal Directions.
- Players must choose three negative perks as permanent penalties that will remain throughout the playthrough.
Furthermore, before players begin the Hardcore Journey in Bohemia, they will have to select three negative perks. These perks are permanent penalties that remain active throughout the game. This time, there are 10 negative perks for the Hardcore Mode from which you have to select three. Players must choose these debuffs carefully, as the choices will heavily shape their playstyle. However, each perk makes certain sections or mechanics of the game harder. For instance, if you like stealth in KCD2, choosing the Heavy-Footed perk will not work for you whatsoever. It will make the steps make more noise, making it harder for you to sneak around.
Best Beginner Tips and Tricks for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Hardcore Mode
Hardcore Mode is more brutal and unforgiving than the Standard Mode. It will require players to adapt to a completely new playstyle to survive and progress in the main story. Various navigation mechanics, like a compass and a map, will not greatly help you in exploration as they don’t show cardinal directions or the player’s position. Players will have to rely solely on their sense of direction to find and reach crucial locations across the Trosky and Kuttenberg regions. Moreover, the combat is more brutal, showing no directional indicators, allowing players to direct attacks and time defense all on reflexes and the opponent’s movement.
Here are some of the best beginner tips and tricks to utilize for some ease in the Hardcore Mode of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
- Play the Game in Standard Mode First and Learn Its Core Mechanics.
- Select the Negative Perks Carefully.
- Speak with Bara at Troskowitz.
- Brew Saviour Schnapps and Marigold Decoctions.
- Get the Military Sword or a Better Weapon of Your Preference
- Complete the Combat Training to Learn Combos and Master Strike Technique
- Don’t Engage in Unnecessary Fights, Especially Against Multiple Enemies.
- Always Speak with the Locals for Directions and Your Current Position.
- Pursue both Blacksmith and Miller Routes.
- Farm Honey at the Beehives for Food.
1. Play the Game in Standard Mode First and Learn Its Core Mechanics
Right off the bat, I personally recommend that you at least play the game on Standard Mode before starting Hardcore Mode as a new player. It is crucial to learn all the essential mechanics of the game as they are different and unique than most RPGs out there. Play for a few hours to learn core mechanics such as combat, brewing potions, sneaking, performing takedowns, blacksmithing, persuasion, and more. All of these core systems remain the same in Hardcore Mode, which will give you an edge in your playthrough.
For instance, if you practice enough combat, you will be able to direct attacks and time blocks by visualizing the enemy’s movement without the Directional Indicators. Without combat practice, it will be a lot harder for you to even win duels against enemies in Hardcore Mode. Furthermore, practicing stealth and thievery will also help you in Hardcore Mode. Learn the Takedowns and remember the time for Indicators to successfully perform takedowns. This will increase your chances of killing enemies silently, instead of alerting every enemy nearby.
2. Select the Negative Perks Carefully
Once you are ready to experience the realistic experience of the medieval times, the first thing that you need to do is select Negative Perks for the journey. Now, the game requests you to select any three negative perks out of ten. However, if you want to make things harder, you are free to select more than three and even all ten negative perks. I personally recommend you select the three depending on the playstyle you will be going for. It is because these negative effects are permanent, and you cannot remove them throughout the journey.
Here are the three negative perks that we think will be best for the beginners of the Hardcore Mode.
- Menace: Once you’re branded for a crime, the effect is permanent, and getting caught for any other serious crime will lead to your execution. What’s more, guards will punish you more severely, and the consequences of these punishments will be more intense. The chance of you being randomly searched is also doubled.
- Numbskull: You gain experience 40% slower.
- Picky Eater: Your pickiness causes all food in your inventory to spoil 25% faster. When gutting animals, you’re also pickier and get only a quarter of the meat and other items from the animals.
All of these effects are quite minimal and will keep your journey smooth. Sure, it will take you a while to level up the skills and earn respective perks, but you can farm the skills easily. We have a detailed guide on each major skill in KCD2 that you can check out and start leveling up with less effort. Moreover, I recommend that you only consume Honey as food during the entire journey. It is because Honey does not spoil.
3. Speak with Bara at Troskowitz
After going through the initial main missions of the story, you will find yourself alone in Troskowitz. Speak with the lady Bara near the pillory and ask for her help. She will tell you about where you can find good armor, give you the Combat Training quest, offer you some Groschen, and a single Lockpick. This might not be enough, but it will help you have some sort of items for the initial journey. However, do not go sneaking into locals’ homes and stealing items. It might get you caught and raise more problems for you even before starting the actual adventure.
4. Brew Saviour Schnapps and Marigold Decoctions
While you are in Troskowitz, it is best to brew some Saviour Schnapps and Marigold Decoctions. The Saviour Schnapps will help you save the game manually, as there is no auto-save in Hardcore Mode. Marigold Decoction is for healing and curing the Hangover effect. Fortunately, you can find the herbs for both of these potions around Troskowitz. Go to the Alchemy Station in Troskowitz near the Apothecary trader to start brewing the potions.
Now, you don’t need to have the recipes to brew the potions. As long as you have the herbs and know the method, you can brew the potions without the recipes. You can take a look at the recipes from our Recipes Guide in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Make sure to brew a healthy number of potions so that you can survive for the next few days while exploring and progressing.
5. Get the Military Sword or a Better Weapon of Your Preference
Getting a better weapon is quite crucial in KCD 2. The easiest way to do it without getting yourself into some trouble is to go to the starting location of the Mutt quest. It is located past Bozhena’s hut and as you reach the spot, you will find a vagabond looting a bandit’s body. He will threaten you to surrender and give away all of your items to him. Refuse to surrender and draw your weapon to fight him. After defeating this man, you can loot him and get a Military Sword. This enemy is not too difficult to defeat, but make sure that you have some experience in combat to take him down easily.
Furthermore, there are various other types of weapons that you can come by. If you want to build your character with ranged abilities, then you can get yourself a Bow. There are a couple of ways you can get a Bow for free in the early game. The easiest way to find the bow is to go northwest of Troskowitz towards Tachov. Make a turn onto a small path along the way to reach a tree with a target. Go to the back side of the tree to find a Dogwood Village Bow. Moreover, loot the sack next to the bow to get arrows, a skill book, and a couple of Marksman’s Kits.
6. Complete the Combat Training to Learn Combos and Master Strike Technique
After getting a Military Sword or a proper weapon, continue towards the Nomad Camp to find Tomcat. Speak with him and tell him to teach you some skills. Here, he will teach you two sword combos. Learn and master these combos as they will help you in defeating some of the difficult enemies in the starting region.
As you complete the first combat training, the second one will begin. However, you do not have to complete this one yet, as you will need proper armour to defeat Tomcat. Upon defeating Tomcat, he will teach you the Master Strike technique, which is a crucial technique for defeating challenging targets in a duel.
I will recommend that you progress into the main story and reach the Trosky Castle. After meeting with Von Bergow, you will be able to do a couple of missions that will earn you decent armor pieces. Once done, visit Tomcat at the Nomad Camp to defeat and learn the Master Strike. However, make sure to learn the Master Strike technique before the For Victory main quest. It is the first point of no return in the game, and the duel within this quest can easily be won with the Master Strike technique.
7. Don’t Engage in Unnecessary Fights, Especially Against Multiple Enemies
In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, you can avoid combat for most of the time, apart from the main fights within the missions. While playing the Hardcore Mode of KCD 2, always avoid unnecessary fights, especially against multiple enemies. If you see any Bandits up ahead on the road, go off-road. Do not engage in the fights because the fights are harder in Hardcore Mode. It is because the AI of enemies is different from the Standard Mode in Hardcore Mode. If you are up against multiple enemies, they will not give you space. They will try to attack at a time, making it harder for you to block or dodge. Moreover, the enemies will try to flank you, so it is better to avoid them for most of the journey.
However, if you want to test your skills and reflexes, make sure to consume potions before the fight. Consume viable potions such as Buck’s Blood and Painkiller Brew to increase Stamina and lower the consumption of health and stamina. Moreover, the Painkiller Brew will also suppress the effects of injury. Overall, these potions will increase the chances of your survival.
8. Always Speak with the Locals for Directions and Your Current Position
In the Hardcore Mode, navigation and exploration in general are more difficult than in the Standard Mode. The compass on the screen does not show any Cardinal Directions. Moreover, the map does not show you the player’s location, making it harder for you to locate your position on the map. This is where the new asking mechanic comes into play. The Devs have now added more dialogue options to help players ask about their current position. You can ask any local or traveller on the road for a slight hint about your whereabouts. Moreover, some travellers will direct you to your objective location, revealing a set marker on the map. However, the set marker only appears once. As soon as you exit the map, the marker will disappear.
So, if you speak to any traveller or a local NPC, always ask about your current position. This way, you will be able to guess your position and the distance to the marker. Remember the waypoint before closing the map.
9. Pursue Both Blacksmith and Miller Routes
One of the better ways to pursue the Hardcore Mode is to pursue both the Blacksmith and Miller routes. Both of these characters will help you get crucial items and teach you essential mechanics. The Blacksmith route will help you get armour, a shield, and a horse. The fastest way to get all of these items, along with a big chunk of experience that will help you unlock perks, is to pursue the blacksmith route. It is one of the main paths that you must take to get to the Wedding in Semine. If you pursue the Blacksmith route, you will get decent armour, a shield, and a horse as well. Having a horse will make your journey a bit easier, as you will be able to travel quickly on the horse.
However, before going to the wedding, meet with Miller and complete his initial quest. The initial quest for Miller will teach you all the basics of stealth and thievery skills. Both of these skills are essential in the playthrough of KCD 2. I highly recommend leveling up both of these skills as they help you significantly in end-game missions.
10. Farm Honey at the Beehives for Food
Lastly, for our final tip, food is crucial in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. You can find all sorts of food items like fruits, vegetables, bread, meat, and so on. The best food item in KCD 2 is Honey. It restores 31 Nourishment and it never spoils. You can easily find a bunch of Honey in the Beehives close to the villages and towns in Trosky.
The best place to find near 30 Honey is at the Beehives just north of Lower Semine Mill. It is the same area where you meet Miller Kreyzl. Simply, head north from the Lower Semine Mill and follow the road until you see the beehives on the left side of the road. Loot every beehive to get a bunch of Honey.
FAQs About Beginner Guide for Hardcore Mode in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Which are the best Negative Perks to pick for the Hardcore Mode in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2?
Menace, Numbskull, and Picky Eater are the best three negative perks that you can pick for your Hardcore journey in KCD 2. It is because all of these have minimal effects, which will not affect you significantly during the adventure. However, make sure not to commit any crimes, as the Menace perk will make it worse for you. Moreover, the leveling progress will be slower for you, but there are easy ways to level up every skill in the game. Make sure to farm the XP to level up the skills.
What is Thievery in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2?
Thievery is one of the main General Skills in KCD2 that allows Henry to steal with various means. It heavily influences the thieving mechanics like pickpocketing and lockpicking. Moreover, learning and enhancing thievery will allow players to follow a Scout playstyle in KCD2.
What is the best method to farm XP for Stealth Skill in KCD2?
The best and fastest method to farm XP for the Stealth skill is to sneak into private properties/restricted sections. There are numerous private properties throughout the Trosky and Kuttenberg regions. In fact, all of the people’s homes in the game are considered private properties. All you have to do is sneak into any house or area and stay hidden.
How to Get the Time Well Spent Buff in KCD2?
You can get the Time Well Spent by having a pleasurable time in KCD2. To do so, you can either have sweet moments with one of the romancing characters or the bathmaids. The bathmaids are the easiest option through which you can get the Time Well Spent buff. Simply, speak with the owner of the bathhouse and select the pleasure time service. The Time Well Spent buff will increase the Strength, Agility, and Vitality by 1 for one day (in-game). However, the option for pleasure time service will be unavailable for you in the Hardcore Mode if you pick the Bashful Negative Perk.
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