Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 stands out among RPGs with its higher difficulty, achieved through realistic and engaging mechanics rather than merely boosting enemy stats. However, for those seeking an even greater challenge, a more difficult mode is set to be released in April, promising to push players to their limits.
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The key innovation in this mode is the introduction of negative perks, a unique approach to enhancing difficulty through realistic gameplay elements. These perks will give Henry, the protagonist, traits that hinder his daily activities, compelling players to adapt to these new challenges. This feature is particularly appealing to those who relish the experience of playing as flawed characters.
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Currently, a Hardcore Mode mod for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is available, incorporating many of the planned features for this mode. Let's delve into these features in detail.
Table of Content
- What Are Negative Perks?
- Bad Back
- Heavy-Footed
- Numbskull
- Somnambulant
- Hangry Henry
- Sweaty
- Picky Eater
- Bashful
- Punchable Face
- Menace
- Survival Strategies with Negative Perks in Kingdom Come 2
- Realistic Gaming Experience in Kingdom Come 2
What Are Negative Perks?
Negative perks serve as the antithesis to talents, each one making Henry's life more challenging. This mod allows players to toggle these perks on or off using hotkeys, with customizable settings for ease of use.
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Each perk has distinct effects, ranging from minor inconveniences to significant gameplay impacts. Activating all perks simultaneously will present a formidable challenge, requiring players to find creative solutions to overcome obstacles that would otherwise 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
This perk reduces the maximum weight Henry can carry, causing him to become overloaded if he carries too many items. In this state, he cannot run or ride a horse, and his movement, attack, and dodge speeds are reduced. Additionally, attacks consume more stamina.
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To mitigate this, players can acquire a horse to transfer items or gradually increase carrying capacity by leveling up strength and related perks like Pack Mule, Well-Built, and Strong as a Bull. At the game's start, it's advisable to either carry minimal items or overload to boost strength faster.
Heavy-Footed
Footwear wears out faster, and the character makes more noise, which is particularly challenging for stealth-focused players. Thieves and lock-pickers will need to choose their clothing carefully to minimize sound.
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To cope, players should collect or purchase tailor kits and improve their Craftsmanship skills to make repairs cheaper and gain useful bonuses. Stealth players may even opt to sneak around without clothing to reduce noise.
Numbskull
Henry earns less experience from all sources, requiring more effort and patience to level up. This slower progression adds to the game's realism, making the journey from rags to riches feel more organic.
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To speed up leveling, focus on completing quests, reading books, and training with instructors, prioritizing essential skills for quicker advancement.
Somnambulant
Stamina depletes faster and recovers slower, making chases and battles much more challenging. The time available for aiming with a bow is reduced due to quicker exhaustion.
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Riding a horse between locations can conserve stamina, while leveling up skills that reduce stamina consumption for various actions will diversify gameplay and ease the burden.
Hangry Henry
Henry gets hungry more often, and food satisfies less than usual. Hunger reduces Speech, Charisma, and Intimidation by 5 points, impacting dialogue and social interactions.
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Players must pay attention to food availability, hunt, and preserve supplies through smoking and drying. Monitoring hunger levels and planning meals around sleep are crucial to maintaining optimal performance.
Sweaty
Henry gets dirty more quickly, and the smell is noticeable from a greater distance. Perfumes won't mask the odor, complicating life for diplomats and stealth players.
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Regular cleaning at washbasins and baths, along with keeping a supply of soap, is essential. Wearing appropriate clothing for dialogues and avoiding soiled attire in casual situations will help mitigate the effects.
Picky Eater
Food in the inventory spoils 25% faster, requiring regular updates to supplies. Eating spoiled food can lead to poisoning, so it's vital to discard expired items and manage food intake carefully.
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Smoking and drying food can extend its shelf life, but players must still be cautious about overeating, which can lead to debilitating effects.
Bashful
Shyness reduces the experience gained in the Speech skill, making peaceful quest resolutions more challenging, especially in the first 30 hours of gameplay.
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Dressing as a noble or knight can help bypass this limitation in dialogues, and bribing interlocutors provides an alternative to overcome the Bashful condition.
Punchable Face
This perk increases enemy aggression and reduces the delay between their strikes, making fights more dynamic and demanding greater combat skills.
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While good equipment helps, mastering combat techniques is essential for survival, even in the normal version of the game.
Menace
If branded for a serious crime, the mark remains permanent, and committing another offense results in execution. Most players will likely reload their last save, but it presents an interesting roleplay opportunity for redemption.
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Survival Strategies with Negative Perks in Kingdom Come 2
Prioritizing perks that counteract the effects of negative ones is crucial during leveling. For example, increasing carrying capacity can mitigate the Bad Back perk's impact. Avoiding additional debuffs, such as overeating, is essential for managing stamina-related challenges.
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Spending money on maintenance, good food, and appropriate clothing can facilitate smoother dialogue interactions and motivate players to earn more. For thieves, choosing the right outfit and staying clean to avoid detection by smell is vital.
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Stealing a horse and having it registered at a gypsy camp is a cost-effective way to improve mobility and manage reduced carrying capacity and stamina. Selecting a horse with suitable characteristics can further enhance gameplay.
For more tips on effective gameplay, check out our article, which provides strategies to overcome the challenges of the hardcore mode in Kingdom Come 2.
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Realistic Gaming Experience in Kingdom Come 2
Players who have tried the mod praise the added realism brought by the negative perks and other changes. Some unchangeable features, like the absence of map markers, fast travel, and health/stamina interfaces, further enhance the immersion.
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The hardcore mode in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 promises to create memorable stories, offering a unique opportunity to experience a tougher version of the game before its official release. Survival becomes an even more intense aspect of the game world, adding to the satisfaction of achieving goals.
Have you tried the mod? What challenges did you find most intriguing? Share your experiences and survival strategies in the hardcore mode in the comments!