Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: Hardcore Mode and Hardcore Henry II trophy

Hardcore Mode is a unique setting in Kingdom Come 2 Deliverance, which significantly increases the difficulty level. This guide page contains all the most important information: how to start a campaign in Hardcore Mode, how negative perks work and how to deal with them, what Hardcore Mode entails, whether there is permadeath and how to play on hardcore settings.

• How to unlock Hardcore Mode?
• Is there permadeath?
• Hardcore Mode main assumptions
• All negative perks
• The most important tips for Hardcore Mode

How to unlock Hardcore Mode?

1. Hardcore Mode is available exclusively for a new game save. You cannot set it for a previously started campaign because there is no option for a sudden increase in difficulty settings.
2. After selecting the new campaign option, you will be presented with a choice. Select the Hardcore Mode instead of the standard one. You cannot alter this choice later, so you have to go through the campaign on hardcore settings or start over.

Is there permadeath?

1. One of the few conveniences of Hardcore Mode is the lack of permadeath mechanics. Henry's death doesn't entail losing all previous progress and having to start over.
2. However, keep in mind that Hardcore Mode disables automatic saves, which, in a normal game, appear, for example, at important quest moments. You must rely exclusively on manual saves and about it, as you may lose hours of progress.

Hardcore Mode main assumptions

Hardcore Mode clearly modifies some gameplay mechanics known from the base game. The most important changes are the following:

1. Impaired navigation - your character is not marked on the map and the com doesn't indicate the main directions. Additionally, fast travel is not available. All of this greatly complicates traveling around the map and finding important quest locations.
2. Having to choose at least 3 negative perks of Henry - we have listed them all in the next section. They can hinder your gameplay and the execution of various basic mechanics in different ways.
3. Tougher combat - enemies can now surround you and launch their attacks simultaneously. Additionally, you won't be able to rely on markers indicating blocks and the direction of the delivered blows.
4. No automatic game saves - you can rely solely on manual saves.

In conclusion, definitely do not choose the Hardcore Mode for your first playthrough and/or if you have not yet sufficiently familiarized yourself with the game. This mode strongly rewards excellent knowledge of the maps of both main regions and the quests being played, as well as good mastery of the combat system and other key mechanics.

All negative perks

In order to complete the game in Hardcore Mode, you must choose at least 3 negative perks from the list below. You can also deliberately make the gameplay even more difficult and activate all 10 perks. Completing the game this way will unlock the Against All Odds trophy.

1. Bad Back - this perk reduces the carrying capacity by 50% (rely more on the horse's inventory). Additionally, there is a risk of injury when bending over. This definitely discourages herbalism, which involves very frequent harvesting of plants. As a result, you could potentially lose an important source of income (and character leveling).
2. Heavy-Footed - this perk increases the noise generated while walking by 25 points. Additionally, shoes wear out twice as fast (it's worth having a few spare pairs in your inventory). The first difficulty may seriously hinder your stealth.
3. Numbskull - this perk slows down gaining experience by 40%. This might make the initial gameplay particularly difficult for you, as you won't acquire important skills as quickly as in a normal mode.
4. Somnambulant - this perk causes your rest stat to drop 40% faster (you'll need to rest more frequently). Additionally, while sleeping, your character may start sleepwalking and move to another location. You may find yourself in a place you don't know and waste time trying to find your way back.
5. Hangry Henry - this perk makes managing hunger more difficult; food restores the satiation bar 50% less effectively, and hunger progresses 25% faster. Additionally, hunger worsens Speech, Charisma, and Intimidation. You need to have much more food in reserve and pay more attention to your hunger bar.
6. Sweaty - this perk affects how quick your clothes get dirty and that Henry starts to stink faster and more intensely. You should visit the bathhouse more often or wash your clothes. Otherwise, you will seriously hinder your conversations with NPCs or risk detection during stealth.
7. Picky Eater - this perk makes items from the inventory spoil 25% faster. Moreover, you have to take into that you will receive significantly fewer resources from slaughtered animals. You can prevent food from spoiling by smoking and drying it.
8. Bashful - This perk makes it impossible to ask people for directions and have conversations with bathhouse employees (some services will become unavailable). Additionally, it slows down the development of Speech by 20%, which in turn can make it difficult for you to develop Persuasion.
9. Punchable Face - This perk strengthens your enemies (the stronger the enemy, the bigger the effect) and increases received damage by 10%. This forces you to avoid unnecessary encounters, especially duels with elite enemies, who will become much more demanding.
10. Menace - This perk makes the effects of crimes irreversible, and the penalties imposed by the guards are also significantly harsher. The risk of being searched by a guard is also increased. All of this effectively discourages theft and other activities related to breaking the law. You have to refrain from this or just prepare for potential consequences (e.g. by saving the game before committing theft).

Here's the recommended set of negative perks that will impact your gameplay the least: Sweaty, Picky Eater, and Somnambulant. If you're afraid of waking up in a random place, then choose Heavy-Footed or Hangry Henry as the third perk.

The most important tips for Hardcore Mode

1. First, complete the game on normal settings and leave the Hardcore Mode for your second attempt. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with the open maps of both regions, but also to get to know the main game mechanics and the best quest variants.
2. Unlock the horse as soon as possible, which will reduce the inconvenience associated with the lack of fast travel. Additionally, rely on signposts and asking people for directions (as long as you haven't selected the Bashful negative perk), as well as traveling on main paths (it’s very easy to get lost in the forest).
3. Get a dog as soon as possible. He can help you in attacking wild game and regular enemies, as well as divert their attention away from Henry (to a limited extent).
4. Change your play style according to the selected negative perks. In particular, avoid unnecessary risks, such as engaging in duels while having the Punchable Face negative perk.
5. Stock up on a large supply of life-saving schnapps and save your game regularly ( that the game does not create automatic saves). This is particularly important if you have perks that could lead to sudden death or an injury.
6. Avoid fights with multiple enemies. In Hardcore Mode, you can easily take damage from an enemy you are not actively fighting. Look for opportunities to eliminate individual enemies and use the escape option to shake off your pursuers.
7. Rely on quest-related allies. Other characters may also participate in your encounter and you. Stay away from the main combat area and look for opportunities to attack individual enemies. However, keep in mind that in some battles all companions may fall and then you'' have to finish the encounter on your own. In that case, load a game save from before the battle and replay the encounter.
8. Don't rush the main quests. Many of them entail difficult duels or participating in larger battles. Level up through exploration and by taking care of side quests.

See also:

1. Game guide
2. How to save the game?
3. How to get a horse?
4. Where is the dog?

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

February 4, 2025

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