Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 sets a high bar for difficulty among RPGs, not just by inflating enemy stats but through its realistic and engaging mechanics. For those seeking an even greater challenge, a new Hardcore Mode will be released in April, promising to push players to their limits.
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The key feature of this mode is the introduction of negative perks, a novel approach to increasing difficulty through realistic elements. These perks will impose traits on your character that complicate daily life, challenging players to adapt and strategize. This mode will particularly appeal to those who enjoy the depth of playing as a flawed character.
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Currently, a mod for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 that implements most of the planned Hardcore Mode features is available. Let's delve into the details of these features.
Table of Contents
- 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 are the antithesis of talents, each one making an aspect of Henry’s life more challenging. With the mod, you can toggle these perks on or off using hotkeys, customizing your experience by assigning a specific button for each perk in the settings.
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Each perk has unique effects, ranging from minor inconveniences to significant gameplay challenges. Activating all perks simultaneously will transform the game into a test of endurance and adaptability, pushing players to find creative solutions to everyday problems.
All Negative Perks in Kingdom Come 2:
- Bad Back
- Heavy-Footed
- Numbskull
- Somnambulant
- Hangry Henry
- Sweaty
- Picky Eater
- Bashful
- Punchable Face
- Menace
Bad Back
With a bad back, Henry's carrying capacity is reduced. Overloading him results in an inability to run or ride a horse, slowing down his movement, attack, and dodge speeds, and increasing stamina consumption during attacks.
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To mitigate this, consider acquiring a horse to store excess items or focus on leveling up strength and perks like Pack Mule, Well-Built, and Strong as a Bull to gradually increase carrying capacity.
Heavy-Footed
This perk causes footwear to wear out faster and increases the noise Henry makes, particularly affecting stealth-oriented players. Thieves and lock-pickers will need to carefully select their attire to minimize sound.
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To cope, always carry a tailor kit for repairs and enhance your Craftsmanship skills to make repairs more affordable and beneficial. Stealth players might find it advantageous to move without armor to reduce noise.
Numbskull
Henry earns less experience from all sources, requiring more effort and time to level up. This slower progression adds to the game's realism, making the journey from novice to expert more satisfying.
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To accelerate leveling, engage in more quests, read books, and train with instructors, focusing on essential skills to level them up efficiently.
Somnambulant
Stamina depletes faster and recovers slower, making chases and battles more challenging. Bow aiming time is also reduced due to quicker stamina depletion when drawing the string.
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To manage this, consider using a horse for travel to conserve stamina. Level up skills that reduce stamina consumption for various actions to make gameplay more manageable.
Hangry Henry
Henry becomes hungry more quickly, and food provides less satisfaction. Hunger also negatively impacts Speech, Charisma, and Intimidation by 5 points each.
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To survive, pay attention to available food sources, hunt, and preserve food through smoking and drying. Monitor your hunger levels closely, especially before sleeping.
Sweaty
Henry gets dirty more quickly, doubling the distance from which others can smell him. Perfumes won't mask the odor, complicating life for diplomats and stealth players.
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Regularly wash using washbasins or baths, and keep ample soap on hand. Dress appropriately for dialogues to maintain a positive impression.
Picky Eater
All food in the inventory spoils 25% faster. Spoiled food can poison Henry, so it's crucial to regularly dispose of expired items.
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To manage this, constantly refresh your food supplies, eat fresh items first, and avoid overeating to prevent debuffs. Utilize smoking and drying to extend food shelf life.
Bashful
This perk reduces the experience gained in the Speech skill, making peaceful resolutions to quests more challenging, especially in the first 30 hours of gameplay.
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To counteract this, dress in noble or knightly attire to improve your perceived status during dialogues. Bribing can also be an effective workaround for resolving conflicts.
Punchable Face
Enemies strike more frequently, increasing the difficulty of combat, especially in crowded battles, by reducing the time to recover stamina.
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While good equipment helps, mastering combat techniques is essential for survival in this mode. Focus on improving your combat skills to handle these challenging encounters.
Menace
If Henry is branded for a serious crime, the mark remains permanently. Committing another serious offense results in execution, though players can reload their last save to continue.
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This feature encourages role-playing a redemption arc, adding a layer of consequence to criminal actions in the game.
Survival Strategies with Negative Perks in Kingdom Come 2
To thrive with negative perks, prioritize skills that counteract their effects. For reduced carrying capacity, focus on increasing it through relevant perks. Stamina-related limitations require careful management to avoid additional debuffs like overeating.
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Spending more on maintenance, food, and dialogue checks motivates earning money faster. Good clothing can help resolve conflicts peacefully. Thieves should choose outfits that minimize noise and maintain cleanliness to avoid detection.
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Stealing a horse and registering it at a gypsy camp is a cost-effective way to gain a mount, essential for managing reduced stamina and carrying capacity. Choose a horse that best fits your playstyle.
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For more tips on navigating the challenges of Hardcore Mode, check out this comprehensive guide.
Realistic Gaming Experience in Kingdom Come 2
Players who have tested the mod praise its contribution to realism through negative perks and other changes. Some unchangeable features include the absence of a map marker for the hero, no fast travel, and no visible health or stamina indicators, enhancing immersion.
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Hardcore Mode promises to create memorable experiences, with players already sharing stories from the standard game. Survival becomes a more intense aspect of immersion, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience before the official release.
Have you tried the mod? What challenges stood out to you? Share your experiences and strategies for surviving in Hardcore Mode in the comments below!
