The combat system in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 will be both simple and complex. The developers took the first game's experience into account

The franchise will soon return with Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. Details regarding its gameplay mechanics are gradually coming to light.

IGN journalists published an article dedicated to Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. This time, the focus was on the combat system — explaining how it works and how difficult it is.

With Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, the developers have deepened the game mechanics.

Unlike the first KCD, there are only four attack directions instead of five: up, down, left, right. Some weapon types will not utilize all attack variants.

Swords support all four, whereas polearms, for example, typically have only three available.

Parrying has been simplified (the system feels “more intuitive and forgiving”): choosing the strike direction now matters when facing stronger opponents. Minor mistakes will be forgiven (though one shouldn’t go to extremes — like trying to use a direction opposite to the incoming strike).

There is no dedicated button for thrusts, only slashes. The “thrusting attacks” themselves remain in the game: they can be executed as part of combos, but not with all weapon types — you won't be able to thrust with blunt weapons like maces.

While the Master Strike from the first game remains in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, it won't be overpowered: there will be defenses against such strikes, and they are harder to pull off.

There is a chance that enemies will flee under certain conditions:

“Enemies in KCD2 will decide whether to fight based on how the combat is going and how strong they perceive themselves to be. If you take out the captain with a loud bang and a flash of fire [from a firearm], his subordinates might just run away.”

Stealth has been improved — timing now plays a crucial role: if you miss the window, the victim's death cries will alert nearby enemies.

The developers took the original game's experience into account, so Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 won't become “too easy” in the late game — players will encounter challenges that even the developers themselves struggled with.

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is scheduled for release on February 4, 2025.

***

Cover author: Warhorse Studios, Deep Silver. Image source: store.steampowered.com