How to Fight on Horseback in KCD2 – Guide to Mounted Combat

In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, horseback battles are not as popular as ground battles. However, that doesn’t mean that they can’t be used to great effect. Unlike foot combat, horseback attacking allows you to deal damage while remaining in relative safety. If you learn this skill properly, you can gain a significant advantage in combat.

The basics of mounted combat

The first thing to consider with a riding attack is the range of the weapon. As with ground fighting, different weapons have different ranges. Long swords have the longest range, while maces have the shortest range. Axes and short swords occupy an intermediate position.

The test conducted showed that the long sword of St. Michael allows you to attack a target from a greater distance than, for example, a battle axe or short sword. This is important to keep in mind, as short range weapons require you to get close to your opponent, which makes combat more difficult and increases the risk of being struck back.

Another important aspect is the side of the attack. It is much more comfortable to strike from the right side than from the left. When attacking from the right side, Henry performs a smooth horizontal strike, while attacking from the left side requires first raising his arm above his head, which significantly slows down the movement. Therefore, it is better to concentrate on strikes from the right side.

How to attack correctly from the knight in KCD2

To increase the effectiveness of attacks, it is important to choose the correct hitting zone. You can mentally divide the front of the horse into two areas: one is parallel to the horse’s neck, and the other is near where Henry is sitting. The shorter the weapon, the narrower this area. A long sword gives maximum freedom of action, and therefore is best suited for mounted combat.

Another detail that makes attacks much easier is the trajectory of the weapon. Regardless of where the camera is pointed, Henry always performs a wide side kick if his gaze is pointed in the direction of the attack. This means that you can focus entirely on timing without being distracted by weapon control.
To better master the technique, it’s worth practicing on stationary objects.

There are several suitable targets in the game:

• Trees
• Wooden poles near the monastery in Sazawa
• Scarecrows in the fields (best option)

For a successful strike, it is important to line up the horse’s trajectory correctly. Imagine an imaginary line running in front of you in the center of the screen – this is the reference point to guide your horse. When approaching the target, keep your gaze directed to the right side, just below eye level, and when the target is within range, release the kick.

Step by step training

1. Start at a slow pace. Approach the scarecrow at a trot while holding down the attack button.
2. Adjust your view. Henry should be looking slightly to the right and down.
3. Choose a trajectory. The horse should pass close to the scarecrow so that the sword can reach it.
4. Execute the strike at the right moment. As soon as the target is within range – release the attack button.
5. Turn around and repeat the exercise. Give yourself room to maneuver before the next attack.

Once the basic technique is mastered, you can move on to more advanced levels – high speed attacks.

Work on mistakes

There are a few common mistakes that can prevent you from fighting effectively on horseback:

• The weapon doesn’t work on the first hit. Sometimes after Henry pulls out his sword, it doesn’t attack the first time. This could be a bug, so after exposing the weapon, it’s better to do a test shot in the air.
• Automatic camera alignment. If Henry looks to the side for a long time, his head automatically turns forward, which knocks off the aim. To avoid this, you need to move the camera slightly to the side of the attack from time to time.
• Too sharp turns. If you abruptly change the trajectory during a hit, you can miss. It is better to plan the path in advance, and then follow it without sharp maneuvers.

Next level: attacking moving targets

When practicing on static objects is no longer challenging, you can move on to practicing on moving opponents. The best way to do this is to attack the city guards (of course, you should create a separate save before doing this).

Guards react to blows in different ways:

• Archers will attempt archery, their attacks are similar in timing to striking a scarecrow.
• Soldiers running to attack force a strike earlier than normal.
• Fleeing enemies require a later strike.

If the timing of the attack is correct, you can strike hard while moving at high speed.

Choice of weapon and horse

The ideal combination is a fast horse and a long sword. However, if strikes are not yet given, you can try a slow horse, for example, “Shiga”. This will help you better control movement and practice precision attacks.

Other weapons, such as axes or maces, require much more patience and skill. Their short radius makes them difficult to hit, especially at high speeds.
Mounted combat is highly underrated in KCD2. It’s actually a very useful skill though! If you master it, you can deliver powerful blows while staying out of range of enemies. The main thing is to choose the right weapon, practice your technique on static targets, then move on to moving enemies and adapt your strikes to different types of enemies.

With practice, top attacks will become a powerful weapon in Henry’s arsenal, allowing you to easily defeat even the most serious threats on the battlefield.