I’m struggling a lot with the combat mechanics in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. Even after practicing with Tomcat and managing to land a masterstrike once, I keep losing fights, especially during practice sessions where he often hits me twice before I can respond. I’m level 12 with Warfare at 11 and Swords at 12. What strategies or tips can help me get better at fighting, like when to parry, dodge, or attack? Any advice on mastering the combat systems would be awesome.
5 Answers
The biggest thing is patience. Don’t try to rush your opponent with constant attacks because that’ll usually backfire. Focus more on blocking to break combos. Try to hold your sword on the opposite side of your opponent but don’t attack first—wait for their move and then masterstrike. If you’re not in position, just keep blocking. Also, keep an eye on your stamina because if it drops to zero, any hit goes straight to your health. Using potions like Aqua Vitalis to reduce damage and Buck’s Blood to boost stamina can help you survive longer and learn the combat rhythm.
Keep at it and don’t get discouraged. Combat in this game is tough and confusing at first, especially figuring out when to parry or dodge and which attack directions to use. You’ve beaten challenging games before, so just treat each fight as a learning experience. Focus less on winning every fight right now, and more on understanding the mechanics bit by bit through repeated practice. You’ll get better with time and patience.
Honestly, don’t stress too much about combos or perfect moves if it’s not your style. I’ve won fights just by bashing opponents with a war hammer. The crucial thing is learning the parry system: when you see that green shield icon, block at the right moment to knock their weapon away. Alternatively, if you’re nimble, learn to dodge by timing the dodge button right before their swing lands. This lets you avoid damage and strike back while they’re vulnerable.
One solid tactic is to start your attack with a feint, especially if you have the perks for precise strike and opening strike. Charge your attack, then just before releasing, switch the attack direction to where your opponent is guarding. This usually opens them up for follow-up hits. With your current combat skills, this trick should help you land more hits and control the fight better.
Try practicing with wooden weapons first; they won’t knock you out quickly and will let you get a feel for timing and blocking. I’d actually recommend mace and shield over longswords for beginners because longswords can be tricky and short swords are generally weaker. As your stats improve—especially agility and vitality—you’ll be faster and able to sustain longer fights. Strength helps with heavy weapons if you prefer a strong blow. Also, in non-hardcore mode, mastering the dodge might be easier than the block, since blocking drains more stamina and dodging allows you to attack the opponent’s unguarded side.
Yeah, I get that it’s tough, but my main frustration is that the combat feels confusing, not just hard. I’m not always sure when the right moments to parry or dodge are, or which directions to attack from.