Hardcore mode vs Normal mode combat

[Svante.]

can someone specify the differences between Hardcore mode and nomral mode. Like the differences in immersion and combat. I read that Hardcoremode is more realistic? How if so etc.
You dont have to answer all of it but all info is appreciated, eventho my wording might be horrible.

[theo]

Hardcore mode makes more realistic pretty much everything BESIDES the combat. It's just more difficult. Regular NPCs have more combat-related stats in hardcore mode, and quest-related enemies such as Runt, Ulrich or Hanekin Hare are extremely boosted so fighting them will feel like legit 'boss fights'. They have extremely big health pools for example.

[Svante.]

Originally posted by Sasau Cat:

Hardcore mode makes more realistic pretty much everything BESIDES the combat. It's just more difficult. Regular NPCs have more combat-related stats in hardcore mode, and quest-related enemies such as Runt, Ulrich or Hanekin Hare are extremely boosted so fighting them will feel like legit 'boss fights'. They have extremely big health pools for example.

really? beacuse I read that impacts becomes more impactfull etc

[CidDaBird]

You can completely gimp yourself on all stats in hardcore which is truly only the difference I can see without digging around in the game files. Current game I'm trying to beat the game this way, though i wouldn't recommend it for newer players to the game.

[philelliscop]

I had two normal play-troughs and now about a third of the way along my first hardcore one. The differences are noticeable, and do make it realistic.

First is armour, for you and the NPC's. Its easier in that respect in that un-helmeted un-armoured NPC's can be one-shoted to the head or a good body blow. But it will work your way too, so make sure you are always well armoured if your fighting like that.

This time round Runt wears a helmet, so he gets tougher to fight.

Armour plays a bigger role. Well armoured NPC's are tougher to kill just slashing them. Well placed stabs are the way to win, after a riposte. With chain strike perk, you can riposte and time multiple stabs to the head that forces them off balance and kills them with four strikes.

You no longer get the marker to time the riposte or block. You have to watch for the start of the swing with your eyes. I find watching their torso, and getting the swing in your peripheral vision works well, as that vision detects movement better.

I found it harder, yes. But if you learn the system, it becomes just another mechanic that you master.

Plus this time round I found myself using archery more than the normal games. To make it easier for myself, so I wasn't always fixing armour after a fight, as you race through armour kits this time. I would Arch from the horse more. Especially when out numbered.

[CloudSeeker]

As a avid Hardcore player I can answer this.

In Hardcore you have no UI. That means your health does not show. Your Stamina does not show. The direction of the strikes does not show. When to block does not show. You basically have no UI to give you hints at all in combat. You can only use the animations and you have to know from what angle you will make your strikes.

The reason this is more immersive is because you have to use other visual clues to figure out how to attack, defend, how much stamina you have and how much health you have. I actually like it better because I think the UI is in the way of being able to see your enemy which makes it harder to block and preform master strikes on the enemy.

Just remember that hardcore comes at a price. As you got no UI it is basically the same for everything. You can't rely on the compass to figure out where the next objective is so if you don't know how the map looks like you will most likely get lost as you can't fast travel and you don't show up on the map. However that is no problem for me. I have always been good at reading maps for some reason.

[DargonBlak]

Cloudseeker nailed it

Personally, I hated hardcore mode since life is pretty crappy without fast travel option. Stupid IMO.

Combat was barely worse since i had already figured out combat, and i don't rely on combos (which are completely unnecessary - real bonus in combat is riposte and high strength... and poison arrows ;)

Nothing else was really any different except game saves - which is also stupid IMO, making you less likely to take risks (and enjoy the game) because you don't want to have to replay the last 40 minutes of a running simulation...

There is a mod that gives you back much of the UI in Hardcore, but after beating Runt in Hardcore there are really no other challenges that aren't just boring trying to be interesting.

In My Humble Opinion, of course.

[Uvirith]

I´m a huge Fan of Hardcore in most games. But the limitations of this games Hardcore are just too much. Without Fast-Travel the game becomes a terrible drag. I love it to death, but unfortunately the countryside is extremely lifeless. I hope they fix that in Kingdome Come 2.

[AfLIcTeD]

Limitations? Are you serious. The only thing hardcore really does is remove most of the UI features, disable fast travel and disables autosaves.

[kalonjidread]

Also you are making money a lot less fast. But in the middle of the game you make still a lot the same way as in normal mode. Two boars will bring you almost 1 k Groschen ..

[CloudSeeker]

The removal of fast travel does not actually bother me much. It just means I am more likely to do quests around a set area instead of traveling around all the time. It also makes random encounters a joke due to the fact you will be at full speed when they jump out and they have no way to actually catch you.

The reason I only play on Hardcore at the moment is because the normal game is to easy. You make to much money and I really want the tapeworm perk as I actually like the fact I have to care about food. It means I will eat at least twice a day. I visit the tavern often and I go to bed when it is night. You know. Actually roleplaying as a knight in the middle ages.