You’re stumbling through the woods outside Troskowitz. It’s pitch black. You can’t see your own hand in front of your face, let alone the bandit crouching in the bushes with a heavy mace. In most games, "night" is just a blue filter. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, night is a death sentence if you aren't prepared.
Basically, the game is dark. Like, 15th-century-no-electricity dark.
I’ve seen so many players getting frustrated because they can’t figure out the kcd2 how to use torch mechanics, or worse, they get arrested by guards the second they step into a town at night. It’s not just about visibility; it’s a legal requirement. If you’re caught wandering a settlement after sundown without a light source, the guards will treat you like a common criminal.
Honestly, the controls are simple once you know them, but the game doesn't always hold your hand.
The Quick Setup: How to Equip Your Torch
First thing's first. You can't just press a button and have fire magically appear. You need the item in your inventory. You can buy torches from almost any general trader or tavern, but let’s be real—you’re probably going to loot one off a bandit or "borrow" it from a house.
To get it ready:
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- Open your inventory (Press I on PC or the Touchpad/View button on consoles).
- Go to the weapons or "other" category.
- Look for the Torch.
- Equip it. On PC, you double-click or press E. On Xbox/PlayStation, you press A or Cross.
It goes into a specific slot right near your shield/secondary items. Look at Henry’s paper doll in the menu; it should be tucked right by his feet or belt. If it's not in that slot, the hotkey won't do anything.
Using the Hotkeys (PC, Xbox, and PS5)
Once it's equipped, you don't need to dive back into the menu every time the sun goes down.
On PC, it’s straightforward. Just tap R. Henry will pull out the torch and light it instantly. Tap R again to put it away.
Consoles are a bit different and this is where people usually get stuck. You have to hold down on the D-pad. A quick tap usually opens your inventory or switches weapons, so you really have to lean into that hold for a second or two. Henry will then pull the torch out. Repeat the hold to douse the flame.
kcd2 how to use torch Without Dying in Combat
Here is the part they don't tell you in the tutorial: fighting with a torch is a nightmare.
Most weapons in KCD2 are designed for two hands, especially those meaty longswords we all love. If you have a torch in your left hand, you are effectively "one-handing" your weapon. This means you lose access to most of your master strikes and combos. You’ll also burn through stamina like crazy because you’re off-balance.
If you’re a longsword main, you have two choices:
- The "Arm of Beowulf" Perk: This is a literal lifesaver in the Sword skill tree. It allows you to use a longsword with a torch without the massive penalties, though you still lose some finesse.
- Shortswords and Sabers: These are designed for one-handed use. If you know you're heading into a dark camp, swap to a one-hander so you can keep the light up while you work.
Expert Tip: If you're caught in a fight and need both hands, just drop the torch. It’ll stay lit on the ground for a bit, creating a small "arena" of light while you handle business.
The Secret Life of Alchemy and Dice
Did you know you can use your torch to cheat the lighting at crafting stations?
If you try to brew potions at night or in a dingy basement, it is nearly impossible to see the hourglass or the herb proportions. Before you interact with the alchemy bench, pull out your torch. Henry will often "mount" the torch nearby or hold it in a way that illuminates the entire workstation.
The same goes for Farkle. Playing dice in a dark tavern is a great way to lose your Groschen because you can’t see the pips on the dice. Light that torch before you sit down. Just be careful—if you’re in a "fancy" part of town, sometimes guards get touchy about open flames near haybeds.
Legal Trouble and Stealth
We need to talk about the law. In cities like Kuttenberg or Troskowitz, walking around at night without a light is a crime. Guards will stop you. They will fine you. If you’re already on their bad side, they might just toss you in jail.
But what if you're trying to be a thief?
This is the classic KCD2 catch-22. A torch makes you a beacon for every guard within a mile. If you’re sneaking, you have to put the torch away. To survive this, you should look into Nighthawk Potions. They turn the world into a weird, greyscale landscape where you can see perfectly without a flame.
Just remember: if you drink a Nighthawk potion and then the sun comes up, your screen will turn into a blinding white flashbang. It’s not a bug; it’s just Henry’s pupils being absolutely deleted by the sudden light.
Why Your Torch Might Be "Broken"
If you’re pressing the buttons and nothing is happening, check two things:
- Durability: Torches actually wear out now. If the condition is at 0%, it’s just a burnt stick. Toss it and find a new one.
- Ladders: Henry can't hold a torch while climbing. He’ll usually "stow" it automatically, but sometimes the animation glitches and the light source disappears. If that happens, just toggle it off and on again once your feet are on solid ground.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your inventory now: Ensure you have at least two torches. They are cheap, but they are heavy, so don't carry twenty.
- Practice the hold: If you're on console, spend five seconds toggling the D-pad just to get the timing of the "hold" vs the "tap" down.
- Hunt for Nighthawk: Visit the local herbalist and buy the recipe. It is significantly better than a torch for 90% of the game’s nighttime content.
- Get the Perk: If you use longswords, prioritize the Arm of Beowulf perk the next time you level up your Sword skill. It makes the "torch in one hand, sword in the other" playstyle actually viable.
Don't let the darkness catch you off guard. Bohemia is a beautiful place, but at 2:00 AM in a forest, it's just a place to get eaten by wolves or robbed by hungry peasants. Keep your light up and your sword sharp.