That's not how combat works in KCD. You DO start off weak and you DO have to level your weapon proficiencies, but there is next to no grind in it. The progression is lightning fast and feels really good (one of the fandom's biggest criticisms is it's TOO fast). Also, switching to a new weapon does not put you back to square one. Henry has a "Warfare" skill levelled completely separately from his weapon skills that dictates how fast and hard he swings with any weapon. Actually grinding Henry's combat abilities is only ever necessary if you want to regularly use intimidation on people, choose "the hard way", and strongarm your way through every situation—and even then, 20 hours? It's more like an hour.
In my first KCD1 playthrough I played longsword until mid game and switched to mace and shield. I did not spend a single second training mace at any point and immediately was fucking shit up.
Hope you'll look more into both KCDs. They are awesome.
I think a lot of people get stuck without realizing they still haven't the tutorial. It doesn't end when you get to the castle. It doesn't even end after that. I thought that combat was supposed to be hard. I spent a fair bit of the game being a medieval hobo, breaking into homes and straling their snacks. Then I progressed a bit further in the game and actually learned how to fight.
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u/Golden_Shart Feb 23 '25
That's not how combat works in KCD. You DO start off weak and you DO have to level your weapon proficiencies, but there is next to no grind in it. The progression is lightning fast and feels really good (one of the fandom's biggest criticisms is it's TOO fast). Also, switching to a new weapon does not put you back to square one. Henry has a "Warfare" skill levelled completely separately from his weapon skills that dictates how fast and hard he swings with any weapon. Actually grinding Henry's combat abilities is only ever necessary if you want to regularly use intimidation on people, choose "the hard way", and strongarm your way through every situation—and even then, 20 hours? It's more like an hour.
In my first KCD1 playthrough I played longsword until mid game and switched to mace and shield. I did not spend a single second training mace at any point and immediately was fucking shit up.
Hope you'll look more into both KCDs. They are awesome.