*Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* offers a challenging experience that surpasses many RPGs, not just through inflated enemy stats but with immersive, realistic mechanics. For those seeking an even greater test of skill, a new Hardcore Mode will launch in April, pushing players to their limits.

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The standout feature of this mode is the introduction of negative perks, a novel approach to enhancing difficulty through realism. These perks introduce traits that complicate daily life, compelling players to adapt and strategize. This addition will resonate with gamers who relish the challenge of playing as a character with inherent flaws.

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Currently, the Hardcore Mode mod for *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* is available, featuring most of the planned elements. Let's delve into these features in detail.

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 making an aspect of Henry's life more challenging. The mod allows players to toggle these perks on or off using hotkeys, with customizable settings for each.

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Each perk has distinct effects, some minor and others significantly altering gameplay. Activating all perks simultaneously creates a formidable challenge, requiring players to find creative solutions to overcome obstacles.

All Negative Perks in Kingdom Come 2:

• Bad Back
• Heavy-Footed
• Numbskull
• Somnambulant
• Hangry Henry
• Sweaty
• Picky Eater
• Bashful
• Punchable Face
• Menace

Bad Back

This perk reduces the maximum weight Henry can carry, leading to overload if he exceeds this limit. Overloaded, Henry cannot run or ride a horse, and his movement, attack, and dodge speeds are reduced, while attacks consume more stamina.

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To manage this, players can use a horse to carry items or focus on increasing their strength through leveling and perks like Pack Mule, Well-Built, and Strong as a Bull. Initially, carrying minimal items or overloading to increase strength faster are viable strategies.

Heavy-Footed

Footwear wears out faster, and the character becomes noisier. This affects stealth-focused players, making it essential to choose quiet clothing. Regularly acquiring and using tailor kits, along with improving Craftsmanship skills, can mitigate the impact.

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For stealth enthusiasts, monitoring clothing noise is crucial, and sometimes, going without armor might be the stealthiest option.

Numbskull

This perk reduces experience gained from all sources, necessitating more effort to level up. It makes the progression from novice to expert more gradual and rewarding, aligning with the game's realistic ethos.

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To counteract this, players should focus on completing quests, reading books, and training with instructors, prioritizing essential skills for faster leveling.

Somnambulant

Stamina depletes faster and recovers slower, making chases and battles more challenging. The time for aiming with a bow is also reduced due to quicker exhaustion.

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Riding a horse can help conserve stamina, and leveling up skills that reduce stamina consumption for various actions is crucial. Meeting these skill conditions adds variety to gameplay.

Hangry Henry

Henry gets hungry more frequently, and food satisfies less. Hunger also reduces Speech, Charisma, and Intimidation by 5 points.

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Players must be vigilant about food supplies, hunting, and preserving food through smoking and drying. Monitoring hunger levels, especially before sleeping, is essential.

Sweaty

Henry gets dirty more quickly, and the smell is noticeable from a greater distance, unaffected by perfumes. This complicates life for diplomats and stealth players.

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Regular washing becomes a necessity, requiring ample soap and visits to baths. Dressing appropriately for dialogues and avoiding casual wear of fine clothes helps manage this perk.

Picky Eater

Food spoils 25% faster, necessitating frequent updates to food supplies. Eating spoiled food leads to poisoning, so it's better to discard it promptly.

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Regularly consuming fresh food and avoiding overeating, while using preservation methods like smoking and drying, can help manage this perk.

Bashful

This perk reduces experience gained in the Speech skill, making peaceful quest resolutions more challenging, especially in the first 30 hours of gameplay.

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Dressing like a noble or knight can improve dialogue outcomes despite low Speech skills. Bribing interlocutors is another way to bypass this condition.

Punchable Face

Enemies attack more frequently, reducing the time to recover stamina, especially in group battles.

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This perk increases the skill requirement for combat success, emphasizing the importance of proper fighting techniques over just good equipment.

Menace

If branded for a serious crime, the mark remains permanent, leading to execution upon further offenses. Most players will likely reload a previous save to continue playing.

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This concept encourages roleplaying redemption, though practical use is limited due to the save system.

Survival Strategies with Negative Perks in Kingdom Come 2

To counter negative perks, prioritize perks that mitigate their effects. For reduced carrying capacity, focus on skills that increase it. Stamina-related limitations require avoiding additional debuffs like overeating.

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Maintaining oneself requires more frequent spending on food and clothing, motivating players to earn money. Good attire can help resolve conflicts through dialogue more effectively.

For those interested in dice games for income, our guide on dice gameplay can be helpful. Thieves must choose suitable outfits and stay clean to avoid detection due to smell.

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Stealing a horse and registering it at a gypsy camp is a cost-effective way to acquire one, especially useful with reduced carrying capacity and stamina. Selecting a horse with suitable characteristics is key.

For more tips on effective gameplay, check out this article, which offers strategies to overcome the challenges of Hardcore Mode in *Kingdom Come 2*.

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Realistic Gaming Experience in Kingdom Come 2

Players who have tried the mod praise the added realism brought by negative perks and other changes. Some unchangeable complications enhance realism, such as no map markers, no fast travel, and no visible health and stamina indicators.

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The Hardcore Mode in *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2* promises to create memorable stories, similar to those experienced in the normal game. Survival becomes a more intense aspect of immersion, offering a unique challenge before the official release.

Henry's journey is fraught with struggles, and with negative perks, the satisfaction of achieving goals is even greater. Have you tried the mod? What challenges did you find most intriguing? Share your stories and survival strategies in the comments!