Combat in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is brutal, realistic, and deeply strategic. Unlike traditional RPGs, button mashing won’t get you far—you’ll need skill, precision, and an understanding of different weapon types. This guide will break down the top combat skills, how they work, and the best ways to level them up. Whether you prefer swords, heavy weapons, or archery, mastering these skills will turn you into a formidable warrior.
What Are Combat Skills in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
With its strong focus on simulation and realism, KCD2 demands a great deal from players, especially in combat. Henry is no action hero—fighting is slow, deliberate, and weighty. Early on, players will have minimal combat skills, and improvement comes only through dedicated training in each aspect of the system. Every weapon type has its own progression path and unique perks, and advancing these also boosts Henry’s Warfare skill, which reflects his overall combat proficiency.
Top Combat Skills to Select in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
The Combat tab will highlight expertise in various weapons and combat styles, tailored to your weapon choices and preferred playstyle. While your selections will shape your progression, certain key perks should be unlocked as soon as possible. Here are the top combat skills to prioritise early in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
Heavy Weapons Combat Skill
In the early stages of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, players won’t have access to the Heavy Weapons category, which includes Maces, Axes, Clubs, and Warhammers. However, upon reaching the Trosky region, these powerful weapons will become available through merchants or defeated enemies. Specialised in breaking heavy armour and shields, they are well worth training as soon as possible.
The first perk players should consider for this skill category is Shield Breaker, unlocked at level 6. This perk makes it easier to break shields with heavy weapons and increases the stamina cost for enemies to block such attacks. It’s especially useful in large battles throughout the story, where heavily armoured and shield-bearing soldiers are common.
Warfare Combat Skill
Since Warfare levels are tied to progress in other combat skills, players can’t rush this category. However, it’s still valuable to level up, as it improves attack speed, weapon durability, and makes it harder for enemies to predict attacks. Several perks in this tree are highly beneficial and should be unlocked as soon as they become available.
At level 6, players can access Steadfast, a great first choice that reduces stamina loss from blocking by 20% and increases shield durability. Reaching level 16 in Warfare takes time, but it’s well worth it—Furor Teutonicus grants extra damage when health drops below 75%, providing a significant combat boost.
Sword Combat Skill
Swords are among the most common weapons in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and players can acquire one early on. In the beginning, swords will be the primary tool for lethal combat, making it natural to level up this skill before others, even if it’s not a long-term focus.
A great early perk to unlock is Opening Strike, which makes it harder for opponents to block after being hit in an unguarded spot, helping to speed up fights against armed enemies. Another essential skill, Master Strike, isn’t found in the perk tree but can be learned from Tomcat the swordsman. However, players must pay him and defeat him in a duel to acquire it. This technique allows for an automatic riposte after a perfect block, making it well worth learning as soon as possible.
Unarmed Combat Skill
Every Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 player will benefit from levelling Unarmed skills. Many quests involve non-lethal brawling, and this skill tree offers a particularly useful perk for those who prefer stealth. At level 12, Sandman makes it easier to knock out or stealth kill enemies, making it invaluable for stealth-focused side quests, even for those not specialising in unarmed combat.
A great early perk to pick is No Pain, No Gain, which increases experience gained in Strength, Agility, and Vitality by 15% when fighting unarmed. This makes it an excellent choice for boosting Henry’s core stats while developing Unarmed skills.
Polearm Combat Skill
Polearms like spears and halberds can feel cumbersome to use at lower levels, making early investment in this skill worthwhile. As they level up, these weapons become far more effective, dealing piercing damage that helps counter enemy armour—a benefit that grows increasingly valuable as the game progresses.
The first perk to prioritise is Keeping a Distance, which reduces stamina costs and makes blocking easier. This perk is essential for making Polearms more manageable to level. At higher levels, players can further decrease stamina consumption for consecutive attacks, enabling smoother combos and significantly enhancing the weapon’s effectiveness. Training this skill early will make combat much easier in the long run.
Marksman Combat Skill
At first, leveling Marksmanship in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 can feel challenging—aiming is unsteady, and both human enemies and animals require multiple arrows to take down. However, two simple methods make it easier to improve Henry’s archery skills early on, allowing players to quickly unlock perks if they plan to focus on stealth and ranged combat.
Practising at an archery range is a cost-effective way to train, requiring only a few lost arrows and some bow durability. Additionally, archery competition side missions offer valuable Marksmanship experience for a small entry fee. For those using bows as a secondary weapon, an excellent early perk to choose is Crippling Shot, which reduces an enemy’s effectiveness in melee combat.
Conclusion: Mastering combat in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 requires patience, strategy, and skill development. Prioritising key perks early on can significantly enhance your effectiveness, whether using swords, heavy weapons, or archery. By training diligently and selecting the right abilities, players can turn Henry into a formidable warrior ready for any challenge.
