You're finally back. After years of waiting for Henry’s story to continue, getting back in the saddle kcd2 style feels like a homecoming that’s both familiar and incredibly punishing. Warhorse Studios didn't just give us a sequel; they gave us a world that feels twice as heavy and three times as reactive. If you remember the first game, you know that your horse wasn't just a vehicle. It was your lifeline, your inventory space, and sometimes your only way to survive a 4-on-1 ambush by bandits who really want your boots.
In the sequel, the stakes are higher.
👉 See also: Summer Haze Fortnite: Why This Skin Always Makes a Comeback
Kuttenberg is massive. Like, actually massive. Walking across the city takes forever, and the surrounding countryside is dense with thickets, mud, and verticality that makes a reliable mount non-negotiable. If you’re trying to navigate the opening hours of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 without understanding the new equestrian mechanics, you’re basically asking to be frustrated. The game expects more from you this time around. It isn't just about pressing 'Shift' to gallop; it's about managing a living creature that gets spooked, gets tired, and—honestly—can be a bit of a jerk if you don't treat it right.
The Reality of Getting Back in the Saddle KCD2
Let's talk about the horse.
Early on, you realize that the bond system has been overhauled. In the first game, your horse was largely a stat block. You bought Pebble or Jenda, slapped some noble saddlebags on them, and forgot about it. Now, your horse reacts to the environment with much more nuance. If you’re riding through a dense forest at night and a boar darts across the path, a low-courage horse is going to throw you. Getting thrown in KCD2 is a death sentence if there’s an ambush nearby because the animation for Henry standing up and drawing his sword feels like it takes an eternity.
You need to prioritize courage over speed.
It's tempting to look at the fastest Arabian-style mounts in the Kuttenberg stables and drop all your Groschen. Don't. Speed is great for courier missions, but for the meat of the game—the exploration and the combat—you want a warhorse. A heavy-set beast that won't flinch when a Cuman screams at it. There’s a specific thrill to charging down a path, seeing a roadblock, and realizing you can actually push through it because your mount has the physical mass to stagger the NPCs.
Equipment Isn't Just Aesthetic
The gear you put on your horse changes the physics of the ride.
Adding heavy plate barding to your horse makes it a tank, but it also makes it turn like a boat. You’ll feel the weight. The developers at Warhorse have been very vocal about "intentionality." Everything you do should have a trade-off. If you want 400 lbs of carrying capacity, your horse is going to be slow. You won't be outrunning anyone. You'll be the one getting chased, relying on your armor to soak up the arrows.
I’ve spent hours just testing the different saddle types. The "Noble Saddle with 4 Bags" is still the gold standard for loot goblins, but the new "Cavalry Saddle" offers a hidden bonus to stirrup stability. This actually matters for the combat. Trying to swing a longsword from horseback in KCD2 is significantly harder than in the first game. The camera is more dynamic, and the timing window for a "strike-through" is tighter. If your saddle doesn't have good stability, your reticle sways like crazy. It’s a mess.
Surviving the Roads of Kuttenberg
The road is dangerous.
Seriously.
In the first Kingdom Come, you could usually see an ambush coming because the "Fast Travel" icon would stop. In the sequel, the world is more seamless. You’ll be trotting along, enjoying the 15th-century scenery, and suddenly a dog is barking at your horse’s heels. If you aren't ready to maneuever, you're toast. One of the best tips for those getting back in the saddle kcd2 is to never, ever gallop through blind corners.
The AI is smarter now. They’ll string ropes across the road. If you hit one of those at a full sprint, Henry is going to do a somersault that would make an acrobat jealous, and you’ll wake up surrounded by three guys with maces.
Management and Maintenance
Your horse needs to eat and rest.
✨ Don't miss: Solitaire Games Without Downloading: Why Browsers Are The New Green Felt
It sounds tedious. For some, it might be. But it adds a layer of immersion that makes the world feel "heavy" in a good way. You can’t just leave your horse standing in the rain for three days while you gamble at the tavern and expect it to perform perfectly. A tired horse has a lower stamina pool. In a chase sequence—and there are many—that lack of stamina is the difference between reaching the city gates and getting a spear through your ribs.
Check the "Horse Quality" tab in your menu regularly.
Technical Nuances of Mounted Combat
The physics engine has been tightened up. When you’re in the saddle, your height advantage is your primary weapon. But KCD2 introduces more polearms. If an infantryman has a billhook, he can pull you off your horse in one successful hit.
To counter this, you have to master the "feint" while mounted.
- Approach the target at a trot, not a gallop (easier to aim).
- Hold the strike button to draw your weapon back.
- Change your attack angle at the last second.
- Release and immediately steer the horse away.
It's a "boom and zoom" tactic. Don't stay in the pocket. If you stop moving while on horseback, you are a huge, fleshy target. The horse's legs are vulnerable, too. If your mount takes too much damage to its legs, it’ll go lame, forcing you to find a farrier or wait days for it to heal. It’s brutal, but it’s the Middle Ages.
What Most People Get Wrong About Horse Choice
Everyone wants the legendary horses. The ones with the names from mythology or history. While those are great, the "mid-tier" horses often have better specialized stats for specific playstyles.
If you’re playing a stealthy Henry—yes, that’s still a thing—look for a horse with a high "Stealth" or "Quiet" rating. It sounds weird, but a horse that doesn't neigh constantly and has a darker coat is actually harder for guards to spot at a distance when you're parked outside a camp.
📖 Related: Finding the Right 5 Letter Word Starting With FE for Wordle and Beyond
On the flip side, the "Warhorse" class is loud. It’s meant to be. It’s a psychological tool. When you’re charging, the sound of the hooves actually has a chance to trigger a "flee" response in low-morale enemies. It’s these tiny details that make getting back in the saddle kcd2 so rewarding for returning players.
Actionable Steps for Your Journey
If you’re just starting out or preparing for your first big trek across the map, follow these steps to ensure you don't end up face-down in the mud:
- Visit the Merhojed or Uzhitz stables early. Even if you can't afford a new horse yet, look at the tack options. A better pair of horseshoes increases your gallop speed on paved roads, which is vital for early-game questing.
- Invest in the "Horsemanship" skill tree immediately. Specifically, look for the perk that reduces the chance of being thrown. It’s the single most important talent in the game for survival.
- Keep "Dried Meat" or "Apples" in your horse’s inventory. Feeding your horse increases your bond faster. A higher bond level means the horse responds faster to your whistles and has a shorter "panic" duration.
- Never engage more than two enemies from a standstill. If you find yourself surrounded while mounted, use your spurs (the sprint button) to burst through the thinnest part of the circle. Do not try to turn around; just go straight and circle back once you have distance.
- Watch the terrain. Mud slows you down significantly. If you’re being chased, stay on the grass or the beaten path. If you try to cut through a swampy field, your stamina will drain in seconds, and the bandits will catch you.
Getting back into the world of Henry of Skalitz is a journey of patience. The horse is your partner in that journey. Treat the beast well, keep its tack repaired, and always keep an eye on the treeline. The road to Kuttenberg is long, and it's much better traveled on four legs than two.