The latest 1.2.4 update for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 brings several quality-of-life changes, including adjusted herb prices and a new bald hairstyle for Henry. However, the centerpiece of this patch is the highly anticipated hardcore mode—an unforgiving feature that redefines survival in medieval Bohemia.
According to the official patch notes, this new mode strips players of modern conveniences: there’s no visible map location, no fast travel, no surrendering enemies, no combat cues, and no directional guidance unless earned during gameplay. The intention is to immerse players fully in the harsh reality of medieval life, where survival is earned, not given.
Permanent Perks That Alter the Game Experience
Hardcore mode also introduces mandatory debuffs at the start of a new game. Players are required to pick at least three permanent negative traits, each impacting gameplay in unique and sometimes humorous ways. Some examples include:
- Heavy-Footed, which makes characters noisier and accelerates shoe wear.
- Sweaty, causing increased body odor detectable by NPCs.
- Numbskull, which slows experience gain across all skills.
These traits add complexity and variety to each run, requiring players to adapt their playstyle.
Increased Immersion and Customization
Karel Kolmann, senior game designer at Warhorse Studios, elaborated on how this new iteration of hardcore mode differs from the first game. While the original simply removed map markers and compass features, the sequel goes a step further. Now, players can seek help from NPCs to determine their current location, adding a more immersive and realistic survival element. Travellers on the road may be approached for guidance, encouraging exploration and interaction in a deeper way.
Perks With Unexpected Consequences
One of the more notorious perks already stirring conversation is Somnambulant, which can cause Henry to sleepwalk and wake up in random locations. Combined with the Bashful perk, which disables map assistance and prevents asking others for directions, the experience becomes particularly disorienting. Some players expressed frustration, stating that this doesn’t necessarily increase difficulty—just the inconvenience.
One user mentioned that the randomness of waking in unknown places makes tasks near resting spots frustrating, especially without map help. They added that they now feel anxious about going to sleep in-game, as the effect triggers so frequently that it shifts from challenge to nuisance.
Not All Perks Are Disorienting
For those seeking a different type of struggle, the Punchable Face trait increases hostility from NPCs encountered on the road. While it might lead to unexpected brawls, at least players won’t lose their bearings upon waking up in a strange field.
This hardcore update transforms Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 into a significantly harsher, more immersive experience for players seeking greater realism and challenge. Whether through inconvenient sleepwalking or hostile encounters with strangers, Bohemia just got a lot more dangerous.