Combat¶
Main Hand Weapons¶
The ‘Combat’ page provides useful tips with regard to fighting, but before you get into any fights you should know what weapon you are going to specialise in, and where to train with it once you have decided. The main character to speak to regarding combat training is Captain Bernard in Rattay. He can be found at the combat arena outside the Rattay Upper Gate, and is the first point of contact for advancing your skill level with specific weapons and practicing special combat techniques. Aside from practicing to increase general stats such as Strength and Agility, you can also enhance combat skills like Warfare and specific skills pertaining to your weapon of choice. As for special combat techniques, these can be continually practiced until you get the hang of them. Finally, as you level in skill with the weapon of your choice, you will be able to further increase your proficiency by paying Captain Bernard for lessons at skill levels 0, 5, 10 and 15. Note that this does not actually teach you anything new; it only provides experience with the specified weapon type.
Archery and Unarmed Combat¶
You will also need to train in archery and unarmed combat. To increase proficiency with your bow you can speak to Hunter Berthold in Rattay or Hunter Nicholas in Talmberg. They do not provide you with a whole set of skills and techniques as Captain Bernard and Sir Robard do with main hand weapons. Instead, they offer paid lessons at levels 0, 5, 10 and 15 which provide experience with the bow, and with hunting for separate payments as you gain levels with practice. If you want to practice your archery skills you will need to visit an archery range to partake in a contest or shoot targets on your own. The closest archery range at the beginning of the game can be found beneath the Upper Castle in Rattay, but they can also be found in Ledetchko, Uzhitz and Merhojed. To train in unarmed combat you will have to seek out Fritz in the Sasau inn, Punch in the Sasau fighting arena or a fisherman located in a camp by the river north-east of Uzhitz.
Lockpicking, Pickpocketing and Stealth¶
As with combat, the ‘Stealing’ page provides useful tips in terms of how to successfully engage in lockpicking and pickpocketing, but knowing where to hone your skills is an equally important part of that process. There are only two characters who can train you in lockpicking, these are Miller Peshek at Rattay Mill and the elusive Black Lukesh who can be found in a hut north of Talmberg castle. Peshek and Lukesh also train in pickpocketing, as does the charlatan in Sasau who is usually found at the tavern or in the market square.
As mentioned in the ‘Stealing’ page, the best way to practice lockpicking and pickpocketing is by continually engaging in it. You do not have to be a serial criminal to do so; it is possible to lockpick chests and doors without any intent on stealing anything, and the same goes for pickpocketing. The act itself will earn you experience, not the taking of items. As for stealth, it is an integral aspect of both lockpicking and pickpocketing. The best way to ensure a stealthy approach is to remove all items with any noise rating, make use of dark and secluded areas and stay crouched as you near the target. There are three characters who train in stealth; Woyzeck in Kohelnitz Mill, Miller Simon east of the Sasau monastery and Henry’s friend Matthew who can be found at the Sasau inn.
Reading¶
Learning how to read in Kingdom Come: Deliverance is as essential as learning how to wield a weapon effectively. That is why you are given the quest ‘Mightier Than the Sword’ early on in the game. Before you do anything else, it would be wise to complete it. However, do not bother going without earning a small amount of Groschen first, as you will need to pay a Scribe in Uzhitz 50 Groschen for his tutelage. While you are there, do not forget to learn Latin in addition to the primary language. It will prove useful later in the game. After you have acquired the skill to read, you will find that many books are now decipherable, but others will be beyond your skill to read until you have gained some practice. Read as many books as you can and store those which are beyond your current skill in a home chest for later use.
Alchemy and Herbalism¶
Once you have learned how to read, you can begin to explore the more complex recipes associated with brewing potions. Dealing with alchemy and herbalism can at first seem overwhelming, but it will not take long to learn the basic principles that can be applied to all of the various recipes which you may encounter. The fundamentals of alchemy rely on combining various herbs with oil, wine, water and spirits in a cauldron. In addition, you may need to use a prestle and mortar to grind the herbs and a distiller to refine the final product. All of the necessary ingredients and instructions for a specific recipe can be found at an alchemy bench, the only reliably accessible one in a settlement being located behind the apothecary in Rattay, while others can be found at the Herbalist huts shown below.
Play around with the alchemy bench to become familiar with it and remember to bring the correct ingredients. If you cannot find them in the wild, you will find most of what you need from a herbalist, the locations of which are shown below. Picking herbs in the wild will gradually increase your herbalism skill, which will in turn provide you with a few useful perks, but you can also speak to Gertrude who lives in the woods west of Uzhitz to pay for training. Similarly, making potions at the alchemy bench will contribute to your alchemy skill level, but you can also speak to Brother Nicodemus at the Sasau monastery or the apothecary in Rattay for training. As you advance in levels and acquire relevant perks, you will find that alchemy becomes much more forgiving and rewarding.
See ‘Stockpile the Basics’ for a full list of potions that can be brewed using alchemy.
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