Hardcore Mode in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: Survival Against the Odds

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 stands out for its challenging gameplay, which is achieved through realistic mechanics rather than just increasing enemy stats. For players seeking an even greater challenge, a new Hardcore Mode will be available starting in April, designed to push your skills to the limit.

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The Hardcore Mode introduces a unique feature called negative perks, which add realistic elements to complicate the game. These perks represent traits that hinder your character's daily life, forcing you to adapt and strategize differently. This mode is perfect for players who enjoy the challenge of playing as a flawed character.

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Currently, the Hardcore Mode mod for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is available, implementing most of the planned features. Let's delve into these innovative elements.

What Are Negative Perks?

Negative perks are the antithesis of talents, each one making an aspect of Henry's life more difficult. The mod allows you to toggle these perks on or off using hotkeys, with customizable settings for convenience.

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Each perk has distinct effects, some minor, others significant, impacting gameplay in various ways. Activating all perks simultaneously presents a formidable challenge, requiring you to find creative solutions to overcome obstacles that would normally be trivial.

All Negative Perks in Kingdom Come 2:

• Bad Back
• Heavy-Footed
• Numbskull
• Somnambulant
• Hangry Henry
• Sweaty
• Picky Eater
• Bashful
• Punchable Face
• Menace

Bad Back

A bad back reduces the maximum weight Henry can carry, leading to an overloaded state that prevents running or riding a horse. It also slows down normal movement, attack, and dodge speeds, and increases stamina consumption during attacks.

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To manage this, you can acquire a horse to transfer items to its inventory, or focus on increasing your carrying capacity through leveling up strength and perks like Pack Mule, Well-Built, and Strong as a Bull. Start by carrying minimal items or overloading to boost strength quickly.

Heavy-Footed

This perk causes footwear to wear out faster and increases the noise Henry makes, particularly affecting stealth gameplay. Thieves and those preferring stealth must carefully choose their clothing to minimize sound.

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To counter this, pick up or buy tailor kits whenever available and improve your Craftsmanship skills for cheaper repairs and beneficial bonuses. Stealth players might find it advantageous to sneak around in less noisy attire, sometimes even opting for no clothing at all.

Numbskull

Henry earns less experience from all sources, requiring more effort and patience to level up. This perk enhances the realism of the game's progression, making the journey from "rags to riches" feel more organic.

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To level up faster, focus on completing quests, reading books, and training with instructors. Prioritize essential skills to maximize experience gains.

Somnambulant

Stamina depletes faster and recovers slower, making chases and battles more challenging. The time for aiming with a bow is also reduced due to quicker exhaustion.

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Riding a horse between locations can help conserve stamina. Level up skills that reduce stamina consumption for various actions, adding diversity to gameplay as you meet different activation conditions.

Hangry Henry

Henry gets hungry more frequently, and food provides less satisfaction. Hunger also negatively impacts Speech, Charisma, and Intimidation attributes by 5 points.

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Stay vigilant about food sources by hunting, smoking, and drying supplies. Monitor hunger levels to avoid missing meal times, and be mindful of how much you eat before sleeping.

Sweaty

Henry gets dirty more quickly, and the smell is detectable from twice the usual distance, unaffected by perfumes. This affects diplomats and stealth players the most.

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Regularly use washbasins in settlements and stock up on soap for clothing maintenance. Baths offer the best cleanliness but come at a cost. Dress well before dialogues to mitigate the effects of this perk.

Picky Eater

Food in your inventory spoils 25% faster, making it crucial to manage your supplies carefully. Avoid eating spoiled food to prevent poisoning, and regularly update your food stock.

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Eat fresh food first and discard spoiled items. Don't overeat to avoid debuffs. Utilize smoking and drying to extend food shelf life, though it's not a complete solution.

Bashful

Shyness reduces the experience gained in the Speech skill, making peaceful resolutions to certain quests more challenging, especially in the first 30 hours of gameplay.

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Dress well to influence how others perceive you, as noble or knightly attire can ease dialogue-based conflict resolution. Bribing can also bypass the Bashful condition when necessary.

Punchable Face

This perk increases the aggression of enemies, reducing the delay between their attacks and minimizing stamina recovery, especially in crowded battles.

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Good equipment can help, but mastering combat techniques is essential for survival, even in the normal game mode.

Menace

A serious crime brand won't fade over time, and committing another offense leads to execution. This encourages careful play and strategic decision-making.

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Players might choose to roleplay redemption, leaving their criminal past behind after receiving the brand.

Survival Strategies with Negative Perks in Kingdom Come 2

Prioritize perks that counteract the effects of negative ones during leveling. For instance, if carrying capacity is reduced, focus on skills that increase it for a more comfortable experience.

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Avoid additional debuffs like overeating to maintain stamina for combat. Spend money wisely on maintenance, food, and dialogue checks, which will motivate you to earn more. Good clothing can help resolve conflicts peacefully, and for those interested in dice games, check our guide for tips.

Thieves might find it easier to acquire necessary items, but some negative perks complicate this playstyle. Choose stealth-appropriate outfits and maintain cleanliness to avoid detection by smell.

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Stealing a horse and bringing it to a gypsy camp for a modest fee is the cheapest way to own one, which is invaluable with reduced carrying capacity and stamina. Select a horse with characteristics that suit your needs. For more gameplay tips, read our article on effective strategies for Hardcore Mode.

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Realistic Gaming Experience in Kingdom Come 2

Players who have tried the mod appreciate the added realism from negative perks and other changes. Certain complications enhance realism and cannot be turned off, such as no map markers for the hero, no fast travel, and no visible health or stamina interface.

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The Hardcore Mode in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 promises to generate captivating stories, enhancing immersion and intensifying survival elements. Experience this challenging version of the game before its official release and enjoy the satisfaction of overcoming greater obstacles.

Have you tried the mod? Share your experiences and survival strategies for the Hardcore Mode in the comments!