Are you looking to elevate the realism in your RPG adventure? The hardcore difficulty mode in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (KCD2) takes the experience to another level by stripping away assists and placing immense challenges in your path. However, be warned: this mode is not for the faint-hearted!
It’s essential to recognize that embarking on hardcore mode without prior experience is inadvisable. The steep learning curve of KCD2 combined with the additional challenges of hardcore mode dramatically reduces your survival chances.
With a lack of user interface help and the adversities presented by various debuffs, halfway through the game, you might feel tempted to quit. But for those who persevere, here are some crucial tips designed to enhance your gameplay experience and support your survival strategy.
1. Be Familiar With The Game
Know What You Are Stepping Into
Before plunging into hardcore mode, ensure you have completed the game at least once. The absence of a compass and map indicators in this mode means you must navigate by recognizing landmarks and seeking directions from NPCs.
Additionally, mastering KCD2’s combat mechanics is crucial. The improved AI of your foes will challenge you, especially if you activate the Punchable Face debuff that makes enemies particularly aggressive toward you. In essence, in order to survive hardcore mode, familiarity with both the game mechanics and its world is vital.
2. Which Debuffs Should You Choose?
Choose Your Poison, Literally
If you aim for the Against All Odds achievement, you must select all ten debuffs, including the Bashful debuff that inhibits your ability to ask for directions—an ironic twist for a hardcore playthrough.
However, if you simply wish to delve into hardcore mode without the pressure of achievements, you can choose three debuffs. For a manageable experience, consider these options:
|
Debuff Name |
Debuff Effects |
|---|---|
|
Heavy Footed |
Increased noise level and accelerated shoe wear. |
|
Sweaty |
Your clothes get dirty faster, making stealth actions challenging. |
|
Picky Eater |
Food spoils faster and you receive less yield from hunting. |
For more experienced players, consider replacing debuffs with either Bashful if you are familiar with the map or Menace if you do not intend to engage in thievery.
3. Get All The Help You Can Get
Two Of Man’s Best Friends
Once the free-roam feature is available, prioritize finding your companions—Pebbles the horse and Mutt the dog. Mutt proves invaluable in combat while Pebbles simplifies your travels.
As for finances, ensure to secure your Groschen. At the game’s beginning, after your party makes camp but before the ambush, scavenge the area for a hidden chest in a cave where you can stash your Groschen. After your tutorial, retrieve your earnings from that location, which can offer a significant advantage in the early game.
4. Prepare For The Worst
And Hope For The Best
Before venturing out, stock up at the general store with bandages, food, and sell any excess loot to avoid overloading. I recommend using honey for sustenance as it offers significant nourishment and, like in real life, it never spoils. You can easily find beehives around towns to gather this resource.
Additionally, make sure to hunt occasionally to ensure you have enough food for Mutt during your travels.
5. Mind Your Surroundings
The Old Ways Of Traveling
With the absence of a compass and map location features, exploring becomes significantly more challenging—especially if you’ve activated the Bashful debuff that hinders requests for directions. Familiarize yourself with traditional navigation methods!
As you traverse the world, compare landmarks to your in-game map for orientation. Each time you discover a new location, such as a camp or shrine, mark it on your map to assist in figuring out where to go next. Additionally, using the sun’s position can provide guidance, as it rises in the east and sets in the west.
6. Don’t Forget About Alchemy
Realistic Potions
If you overlooked alchemy in past playthroughs, this is your chance to revisit it. Stock up on Marigold Decoction before heading out, as you’d want to prepare for sudden encounters that could leave you injured.
Moreover, due to the lack of autosave in hardcore mode, gather as many Savior Schnapps potions as you can. They are the only means of saving your progress, aside from sleeping in owned beds. Always keep a reserve of helpful potions on hand.
7. Prioritize Stealth And Ranged Combat
Who Needs Swords?
In hardcore mode, enemies are tougher and more aggressive, making stealth and ranged combat more viable options. Opt for stealth takedowns to minimize risks.
If you find yourself in a conflict with allies, allow them to engage enemy forces while you safely attack from afar using a bow. The complexity of melee combat increases without the UI aids indicating your attack and defense movements, making ranged options more appealing.
8. No More Bunny UI For You
I Miss It Already
Without the Bunny UI to assist you during sneaking segments, you’ll need to be especially vigilant for NPC dialogues and cues.Listen closely to comments from characters; they will help you gauge if you’ve been detected or threatened.
Playing at high volume or using headphones will enhance your awareness. Pay attention to warning remarks from NPCs—if they ask you to leave, it’s wise to do so! If matters escalate, be ready to defend yourself.
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