Hardcore Skalitz escape tips

[NemesisLeon44]

So at the part where you're running away from archers on horseback, I always start bleeding and since my horse runs out of stamina and my bleeding kills me after a while on the more open path, maybe there's an alternate path to take... I can't seem to use a bandage while ON the horse, so I guess I'll have to find some hidden place behind trees or something to get off the horse and bandage so I don't die right away. Alternate paths, movement patterns, maybe it's possible to actually FIGHT the horseback archers ( even though I can't equip kobyla's sword because it's a quest item and not a "weapon", so I'm "unarmed" ). I've died a bunch of times at that part already. I saved right before running down from the castle... but my problem is the horseback archers. How do I survive that?

[MacSuibhne]

Lots of ways. Go off road...the Cumans won't follow you off road...but be aware that there are some creeks that can cause you problems. Also don't run full out. Gallop until your stamina gets down then canter (not walk) until stamina rebuilds, then gallop again.

I had to make that run maybe 20 times till I got it. It's not a matter of luck but rather of controlling the horse and watching your stamina.

[NemesisLeon44]

Originally posted by MacSuibhne:

Lots of ways. Go off road...the Cumans won't follow you off road...but be aware that there are some creeks that can cause you problems. Also don't run full out. Gallop until your stamina gets down then canter (not walk) until stamina rebuilds, then gallop again.

I had to make that run maybe 20 times till I got it. It's not a matter of luck but rather of controlling the horse and watching your stamina.

the main problem I had is dying of bleeding. It seems like I die of bleeding no matter what halfway to Talmberg

[MacSuibhne]

Originally posted by Nemesis☯Leon:

the main problem I had is dying of bleeding. It seems like I die of bleeding no matter what halfway to Talmberg

I don't know of a way to avoid the arrow that will bleed you out. The only way to survive is to get to Talmberg before it happens. Again, control of the horse, cutting across country to shorten the distance and dropping it down a notch when your horse's stamina gets low. Otherwise going full out.

When you get to Talmberg, you will get treatment and survive. It will always be a near thing however, AFAIK.

[NemesisLeon44]

Originally posted by MacSuibhne:

Originally posted by Nemesis☯Leon:

the main problem I had is dying of bleeding. It seems like I die of bleeding no matter what halfway to Talmberg

I don't know of a way to avoid the arrow that will bleed you out. The only way to survive is to get to Talmberg before it happens. Again, control of the horse, cutting across country to shorten the distance and dropping it down a notch when your horse's stamina gets low. Otherwise going full out.

When you get to Talmberg, you will get treatment and survive. It will always be a near thing however, AFAIK.

Never Give up, never surrender!

[DargonBlak]

Well, if you took the perk that causes you to bleed more, then you certainly are in for a challenge. You might be able to make it with one arrow, but 2 arrows will most likely be the end of you.

So, here's my routine:
1. Gallop full out, with minor zig zag (side to side) motion, but stay on the road.
2. After crossing the stream ("left, talberg is on the left along the stream"), the Cuman fall back a bit, but keep galloping until the Crossed Gold Swords become Uncrossed SIlver Swords - then switch to a canter for about a 4 or 5 count - be sure to zig zag, because arrows will fly at you.
3. When the Swords recross, it is time to gallop some more. So, gallop (with minor zig zag) until the next bridge, then switch to a canter for about a 3-4 count, then back to a gallop.
4. You need to keep some white visibile on your horses stamina, so switch to a canter for a 1-2 count if you need it, then gallop again. Remember to zig-zag a bit.
5. You only need to make it to the rockslide, to trigger the cutscene - so once you see it, just keep pushing.

Note: i think zig-zag may use up more stamina, but in HC i get hit with arrows reliably if i dont zig-zag, so i suppose the choice is zig-zag or die. Good luck.

[GrannYgraine]

Originally posted by DargonBlak:

Well, if you took the perk that causes you to bleed more, then you certainly are in for a challenge. You might be able to make it with one arrow, but 2 arrows will most likely be the end of you.

So, here's my routine:
1. Gallop full out, with minor zig zag (side to side) motion, but stay on the road.
2. After crossing the stream ("left, talberg is on the left along the stream"), the Cuman fall back a bit, but keep galloping until the Crossed Gold Swords become Uncrossed SIlver Swords - then switch to a canter for about a 4 or 5 count - be sure to zig zag, because arrows will fly at you.
3. When the Swords recross, it is time to gallop some more. So, gallop (with minor zig zag) until the next bridge, then switch to a canter for about a 3-4 count, then back to a gallop.
4. You need to keep some white visibile on your horses stamina, so switch to a canter for a 1-2 count if you need it, then gallop again. Remember to zig-zag a bit.
5. You only need to make it to the rockslide, to trigger the cutscene - so once you see it, just keep pushing.

Note: i think zig-zag may use up more stamina, but in HC i get hit with arrows reliably if i dont zig-zag, so i suppose the choice is zig-zag or die. Good luck.

DargonBlak's guide is very specific and helpful. Well written.
In hardcore you can't see your horse's health. Try to slow down before your horse's stamina is drained It takes a bit of timing but it can be done.

[NemesisLeon44]

Originally posted by DargonBlak:

Well, if you took the perk that causes you to bleed more, then you certainly are in for a challenge. You might be able to make it with one arrow, but 2 arrows will most likely be the end of you.

So, here's my routine:
1. Gallop full out, with minor zig zag (side to side) motion, but stay on the road.
2. After crossing the stream ("left, talberg is on the left along the stream"), the Cuman fall back a bit, but keep galloping until the Crossed Gold Swords become Uncrossed SIlver Swords - then switch to a canter for about a 4 or 5 count - be sure to zig zag, because arrows will fly at you.
3. When the Swords recross, it is time to gallop some more. So, gallop (with minor zig zag) until the next bridge, then switch to a canter for about a 3-4 count, then back to a gallop.
4. You need to keep some white visibile on your horses stamina, so switch to a canter for a 1-2 count if you need it, then gallop again. Remember to zig-zag a bit.
5. You only need to make it to the rockslide, to trigger the cutscene - so once you see it, just keep pushing.

Note: i think zig-zag may use up more stamina, but in HC i get hit with arrows reliably if i dont zig-zag, so i suppose the choice is zig-zag or die. Good luck.

we made it fam. ace guide. Now to harvest every herb in the country side and buy that cheap as hell horse in Ushitz that I heard about in another hardcore guide. thanks.

[DargonBlak]

Originally posted by Nemesis☯Leon:

we made it fam. ace guide. Now to harvest every herb in the country side and buy that cheap as hell horse in Ushitz that I heard about in another hardcore guide. thanks.

Awesome - congrats - glad i could help.

[ShepherdOfCats]

Remove the horse's saddle as soon as you get on. It makes the horse's stamina last much longer and you can make it to Talberg galloping essentially the whole way. Still need to do some zig-zagging to throw off their aim but eventually you will leave them in the dust.

(found in a random youtube video that I forget who made)

[MacSuibhne]

Originally posted by ShepherdOfCats:

Remove the horse's saddle as soon as you get on. It makes the horse's stamina last much longer

How do you do that? The horse is not yours, so presumably it would not be a 'sidekick' and would have no inventory. So the saddle would not be accessible.

Or would it?

And if it is accessible can you just remove it while you are riding?

[ShepherdOfCats]

Open inventory when you're on the horse, go to sidekicks > tack. It can be removed. I use the light brown horse named Olena. Don't know if that makes a difference. I think you just have to be on the horse (which is funny trying to remove a saddle while you're sitting on it, but hey you want to make it Talmberg easy right?)

I don't think you get to keep the saddle though. Which is a shame because it would probably be worth a lot early game.

EDIT: So I just tested it, and it doesn't matter which horse as far as removing the saddle goes. However Olena is much faster and has higher stamina than the very first horse you pass (by the Cumans who are wrestling with Theresa). It is definitely possible to gallop the entire way using that horse with no saddle.

The horse that comes to you when you whistle is the one you want.

[MacSuibhne]

Originally posted by ShepherdOfCats:

The horse that comes to you when you whistle is the one you want.

Thanks. I didn't know that was possible.

[MF]

Originally posted by Nemesis☯Leon:

Originally posted by MacSuibhne:

Lots of ways. Go off road...the Cumans won't follow you off road...but be aware that there are some creeks that can cause you problems. Also don't run full out. Gallop until your stamina gets down then canter (not walk) until stamina rebuilds, then gallop again.

I had to make that run maybe 20 times till I got it. It's not a matter of luck but rather of controlling the horse and watching your stamina.

the main problem I had is dying of bleeding. It seems like I die of bleeding no matter what halfway to Talmberg

Take a marigold potion immediately before hopping on the horse. It saved me in hardcore mode. Also taking off-road shortcuts is very important - NPC's always stick to the roads as others have pointed out. Also make sure you aren't overloaded with gear - I believe it might slow your horse down.