by Dom's Roundtable
Welcome back, adventurers, to another guide from Dom’s Roundtable!
Today, we’re diving deep into the heart of the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 combat systems. Whether you’re up against a single knight or an entire bandit camp, these 15 quick and easy tips will help you crush every fight, no matter how outnumbered or outgunned you are.
So, sharpen your sword and ready your armour, let’s jump straight into the action!
Livestock? More like Deadstock
Every time you hit or kill something, you gain combat experience, not just for your weapon of choice but also for Warfare, Strength, and Vitality. A sneaky way to level up your secondary weapons (those you're not quite ready to wield in serious battles) is to take out livestock.
Sheep, goats, and pigs can help you rack up XP fast. Just be cautious, getting caught makes this a serious crime, so be stealthy about it, and only do it at night. Also, butchering the animals afterwards nets you extra XP and cash, too.
Diversify Your Arsenal
It’s tempting to stick to one favourite weapon (like my trusty short sword), but specialising in a single weapon leaves you vulnerable in other areas. As the game progresses, you’ll face heavily armoured foes that shrug off slashing attacks. That’s where maces and other bludgeoning weapons come in handy.
Always have two complementary weapons: for example;
a sword and shield for lightly armoured enemies
a two-handed mace for tougher foes
My go-to combo? A short sword in one set and a light mace in the other, leaving my off-hand free for perks that boost single-weapon combat.
Master Stamina Management
Your stamina is your lifeline in battle. Big attacks and poorly timed defences drain it fast, turning you into an easy target.
Take combat slowly, never let your stamina fully deplete, and always watch for opportunities to rest and recharge. If your stamina hits zero mid-fight, you’ll struggle to recover and likely end up dead, especially if surrounded by multiple opponents.
The Exception: Perfect Blocks & Reposts
There is one exception to stamina management, where even if it's depleted, it doesn't seem to matter, and that is with perfect block & riposte chains.
When you enter a rhythm of perfect blocks and ripostes, stamina depletion doesn’t appear to hinder you. This dance of defence allows you to trade blows with skilled opponents until one of you makes a mistake. It’s slow but reliable, especially if you haven’t mastered advanced techniques like Master Strikes yet.
Enemies Are Smart, Don't Hold Your Blocks
Regular blocking is a rookie mistake. Enemies are smart, and they’ll quickly spot your guard direction and strike where you’re vulnerable, causing massive damage and staggering you. Instead, focus on perfect blocks.
If you’re not confident in perfect blocking yet, avoid standing still with your guard up. Always keep your foes guessing with dynamic movement and dodging.
Surviving Outnumbered Fights
Fighting multiple enemies is a challenge, but two strategies make it manageable:
Positioning: Keep all enemies in front of you. Use terrain to your advantage, and let enemies block each other’s paths.
Use Mutt: Your loyal dog Mutt is an invaluable ally. Sic him on the most dangerous enemy to distract them while you focus on the weaker ones. Levelling up Mutt’s abilities makes him an even tougher fighter, turning the tide in group battles.
Train with Swordmaster Tomcat
As soon as possible, visit Swordmaster Tomcat. He’ll teach you the invaluable Master Strike technique, allowing you to counterattack automatically when perfectly blocking.
But Tomcat’s usefulness doesn’t stop there. He offers:
Practice fights to level up your skills.
Skill training to unlock new perks.
New combat techniques for advanced strategies.
Tomcat is your early-game mentor, but there’s another powerful trainer we’ll mention later!
Keep Your Gear in Top Shape
Your armour’s condition directly affects its effectiveness, in a HUGE way, and the same goes for your weapons! Always carry repair kits and keep your gear above 75% durability ideally.
Damaged armour offers significantly less protection, and neglecting repairs can lead to taking massive damage in fights.
For weapons, use grindstones to sharpen blades or weapon repair kits for non-slashing arms.
Master the Art of Feinting
Feinting isn’t just for show, it’s a powerful combat tactic. Start an attack in one direction, then switch direction at the last moment. This confuses your enemies and makes it harder for them to block.
Perks can enhance the effectiveness of feints, turning them into a crucial part of your offensive toolkit.
Equip Potions for Mid-Combat Healing
I can’t stress this enough: equip potions to your belt!
Being able to heal mid-fight can be the difference between victory and defeat. Use Marigold Decoctions or powerful food items to recover health during long battles. Potions are one of the few ways to heal mid-combat, so make sure you’re prepared.
Level Up Your Warfare Skill
Every time you gain weapon XP, you also gain Warfare experience. The perks in this tree are game-changers. Some essential ones include:
Steadfast: Reduces stamina cost for blocking by 20%.
Against All Odds: Increases combat effectiveness when outnumbered.
Hardened Veteran: Boosts stamina regeneration by 10%.
Rock Solid: Adds +20 armour if you stand still for 10 seconds.
Focus on levelling all your weapons to unlock these powerful perks faster.
Don’t Neglect Unarmed Combat
There’s an awesome bare-knuckle brawling questline that spans multiple towns. Completing it boosts your unarmed skill and unlocks perks like:
No Pain, No Gain: Grants 15% more XP in Strength, Agility, and Vitality during unarmed fights.
Sandman: Makes stealth kills easier, perfect for thinning enemy numbers before a big fight.
Even if you prefer weapons, unarmed skills offer surprising benefits.
Use Poisons to Turn the Tide
Applying poisons to your weapons can drastically shift the outcome of battles. Whether it’s poisoning your sword, mace, or arrows, there are plenty of concoctions to choose from. Experiment with different poisons to find what works best for your combat style.
Train with Black Bartosh
For mid-game training, head to Trosky Castle and seek out Black Bartosh. He’s just as good as Tomcat for learning new techniques and levelling up your skills. You can even request fights against multiple opponents to sharpen your crowd-control tactics. Captain Gnarly in Semine offers similar training if you’re in the area.
Keep Your Helmet Visor Open (Most of the Time)
While closing your helmet’s visor offers extra protection, it significantly reduces your stamina recovery. Unless you’re facing a barrage of arrows, keep your visor open to maintain better stamina regeneration. This game’s commitment to realism means even minor details like this can affect your combat performance.
Final Thoughts
With these 15 tips, you’ll be an unstoppable force in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Remember, mastering combat is about more than just swinging your sword—it’s about strategy, preparation, and adapting to every situation.
For more in-depth guides and tips, make sure to check out Dom’s Roundtable and subscribe to the YouTube channel for the latest Kingdom Come content.
Thanks for reading, adventurers. May your blade stay sharp, your armour strong, and your adventures legendary. See you in the next guide!
