Perks

Perks in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are bonuses bought with perk points, one earned each time a stat or skill levels up. Tiers open at even levels from 6 to 20 in each of 20 trees. Outlets most often name Jack of All Trades, Secret of Matter, Martin's Heritage, Deft Hands and Diehard among the best.

0:53 In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 a perk is a permanent bonus that Henry buys with a perk point, and he earns one point every time a stat or skill levels up. Game Rant explains that a point can be spent in any tree, not only the one that earned it. Each of the 19 stats and skills on Skills and Stats has its own tree, and the Main Level has one more. Tiers open at even levels from 6 to 20, as PCGamesN's list shows, and some pairs exclude each other.

Quick facts

Perk points	One per level of any stat or skill (Game Rant)
Trees	Main Level, 4 stats and 15 skills
Tiers	At levels 6, 8, 10 up to 20, mostly two perks each (PCGamesN)
Total perks	Not published by Warhorse; Game Rant counts 275, PCGamesN's list "roughly 330" with starting perks
Respec	Lethean Water (PCGamesN)
Hidden perks	9 in Game Rant's list, unlocked by doing things

How perks work

3:19 Perk points come from leveling, not from the main level. Game Rant says a point arrives each time a main stat or skill levels up, perks Henry can afford show a yellow star, and derived stats such as Charisma give no points. A perk still needs its tree to reach the tier's level, so a Swords perk at 12 waits for Swords 12.

24:22 Some perks force a choice. PCGamesN's list marks mutually exclusive pairs, such as Martin's Heritage and Radzig's Heritage at Main Level 10 and Secret of Equilibrium against Secret of Matter in Alchemy. Taking one locks the other out.

Perks can be reset once with Lethean Water. PCGamesN's potion list calls the reset "irreversible and painful".

The numbers below are PCGamesN's as of its May 16, 2025 update, paraphrased. Warhorse has changed perks since. Patch 1.2 (Mar 13, 2025) reworked Warmonger, Opening Strike and Tendon Slicer and stopped Next to Godliness from healing without end. Patch 1.4 (Sep 9, 2025) reworked Infantryman and weakened the hidden horse perks. Patch 1.5 (Nov 11, 2025) fixed Natural Camouflage. See Patches and Updates.

The best perks, as outlets name them

TheGamer's ranking of the best perks (Feb 18, 2025) names Cushion, Sic 'em!, Locksmith, Deft Hands, Leg Day, Secret of Matter, Jack of All Trades, Martin's Heritage, Furor Teutonicus and Diehard. It describes Furor Teutonicus, a later Warfare perk, as raising attack power while Henry's health is below 75.

Game Rant's early-game advice is to spend the first points on staying alive. Its must-do list names Head Protection (Warfare) and Thick-Blooded (Vitality).

25:07 PCGamesN's list points to the perks that change how the game plays. Its picks include Jack of All Trades (+2 to skill checks and more XP from them), Secret of Matter (an extra potion per brew), the Train Hard, Fight Easy! and Deft Hands lines that cut weapon requirements, and Explorer, which reveals the whole map.

Main Level

Level	Perk	Effect
6	Charming Man or Opportunist	+10% reputation gained, or +10% reputation lost (exclusive)
8	Driven by Vengeance	More damage and faster stamina recovery after a kill
8	Memorable	Reputation changes spread more widely
8	Undaunted Cavalier	Charisma above 20 adds armor
10	Burgher	+1 Strength, Agility, Vitality, Speech near towns and villages
10	Local Hero	+2 to those four where reputation is good
10	Martin's Heritage or Radzig's Heritage	Faster Swords, Craftsmanship, Survival XP, or faster Heavy Weapons, Marksmanship, Scholarship XP (exclusive)
12	Criminal Element or Good Natured	Brands fade faster, stolen goods sell 10% higher, +2 Coerce, Dominate, Dread; or +2 Persuasion, Impression, Presence and guards called less (exclusive)
12	Night Crawler	At night +2 Strength, Agility, Vitality and +3 Stealth
14	Pacifist or Warmonger	12 hours without killing: +2 non-combat skills, +3 Speech; or after a won fight: combat bonuses for 6 hours (exclusive)
16	Heroic Vigor	Each Vitality level adds a stamina point, past levels included
16	Well-Built	Carrying capacity grows faster with Strength

Source: PCGamesN's perk list, May 16, 2025. Patch 1.2 changed Warmonger so it raises the chance to land a hit.

Strength, Agility, Vitality and Speech

Tree	Level	Perk	Effect
Strength	6	Hard-Working Lad	Large carried items weigh half, +8 capacity
Strength	6	Train Hard, Fight Easy!	Weapon Strength requirements -2
Strength	8	Pack Mule / Wrestler	More capacity / clinches easier to win
Strength	10	Tight Grip	More reliable stealth kills and knockouts
Strength	10	Train Hard, Fight Easy! II	Requirements -5
Strength	12	Strong as a Bull / Vanguard	+20 lb capacity / shield blocks cost 30% less stamina
Strength	14	Grand Slam / Thrasher	Blunt damage +5% / charged attacks +5%
Strength	16	Strong Arm	Stamina recovers while holding a charged attack
Agility	6	Deft Hands / Featherweight	Weapon Agility requirements -2 / fall damage -30%
Agility	8	Dominant Hand / Nimble Stance	Cheaper one-handed fighting without a shield / dodges cost 40% less stamina
Agility	10	Deft Hands II / Ranger Run	Requirements -5 / stamina boost after 10 seconds of sprinting
Agility	12	Creeping Phantom / Totentanz	Sneaking +15% faster / perfect dodge gives +15% attack for 5 seconds
Agility	14, 18	Finesse, Viper (I and II)	Slashing or piercing damage +5% each rank
Agility	16	Creeping Phantom II	Sneaking +35% faster
Vitality	6	Ascetic / Thick-Blooded	Nourishment falls 30% slower / slower bleeding
Vitality	8	Balanced Diet / Creative Soul	3 days without overeating: +20% stamina regen / energy refills while crafting or playing dice
Vitality	10	Next to Godliness / Well-Dressed	Washing heals 10 health / dirt builds 20% slower
Vitality	12	Hermes' Haste / Marathon Runner	Sprint speed +20% / running costs 20% less
Vitality	14	Red Mist / Revenant	Bonuses below 25 health / health regenerates up to 50
Vitality	16	Diehard	A fatal wound leaves Henry at 25% health
Vitality	18	Never Surrender	Armor bonus below 25 health
Speech	6	Polished Wares / Silver Tongue	+10% for near-perfect gear sold / +4 Speech when haggling
Speech	8	Adept of the Mystic Arts / Artisan	10% better prices on recipes and books / on weapons, armor, clothing
Speech	10	Hustler / Jack of All Trades	Easier to sell stolen goods / +2 to skill checks, more XP
Speech	12	Battle Cry / Ladies' Man	+10% damage for 10 seconds / +2 checks and discounts with women
Speech	14, 20	Dreaded Warrior (I and II)	Battle cry lowers enemy courage
Speech	16	Final Offer	A losing-patience merchant makes one more offer
Speech	18	Battle Cry II	+15% in total

Source: PCGamesN's perk list, May 16, 2025. Game Rant also lists a Strength perk, Heracles: +1 Charisma for every 5 levels of Strength.

Combat trees

Tree	Level	Perk	Effect
Warfare	Start	Evade, Feint, Perfect Block, Riposte	The basic combat moves
Warfare	6	Head Protection / Steadfast	Head damage -20% with a helmet / blocks cost 20% less stamina
Warfare	8	Against All Odds / Hardened Veteran	Outnumbered: +2 Strength, Agility, Warfare / combat stamina regen +10%
Warfare	10	River / Rock Solid	Dodging or sprinting: +3 Warfare / +20 armor after 10 seconds standing firm
Warfare	12	Ironclad / Unbreakable	Armor weight costs less stamina / outnumbered: stamina 20% faster
Warfare	14	Knight in Shining Armor / Masterful Feint	Charisma bonus in plate / feints work on tougher foes
Warfare	16	Hardened Veteran II / One Man Army	+10% more regen / +10% damage when outnumbered
Swords	6	Opening Strike / Precise Strike	Attacks after a wound harder to block / charged attacks harder to parry
Swords	8	Showtime / Tendon Slicer	Combos and Master Strikes restore stamina / combos sap Agility and Strength
Swords	10	Gladiator / Swordmaker's Wisdom	+5 Swords without a shield / +3 Craftsmanship, swords wear 25% slower
Swords	12	Cleaver / Cutting Edge / Whirlwind	Hunting swords +15% / sabers bleed faster / +30% defense with a sword
Swords	14	Magister Dimicator	A combo gives +5 Swords for 30 seconds
Swords	16	Arm of Beowulf	Longsword usable with a torch
Swords	18	Slice and Dice	Each following strike deals more
Heavy Weapons	6	Shieldbreaker / Sundering Blow	Heavy attacks harder to block / enemy armor counts 10 less
Heavy Weapons	8	Blunt Force Trauma / Brute Force	Charged attacks +10% / heavy weapon damage +5%
Heavy Weapons	10	Aim to Maim! / Bonebreaker	Axes cause faster bleeding / blunt hits slow stamina regen 15%
Heavy Weapons	12	Menacing Presence	Foes flee sooner from full armor and a heavy weapon
Heavy Weapons	14	Onslaught / Sundering Blow II	Combos cost half stamina / armor counts 20 less
Heavy Weapons	16	Concussing Blow / Green Knight	Blunt combos stop dodges for 20 seconds / axe combos +20%
Heavy Weapons	18	Brute Force II / Hack and Slash	+5% more / unbroken attacks grow stronger
Polearms	6	Keeping a Distance / Hardwood	Cheaper blocks / polearms wear 25% slower
Polearms	8	Long Reach / Militia Training	Attacks cost 10% less stamina / lower requirements
Polearms	10	Impaler / Iron Harvest	Piercing +10% / stamina back after a combo
Polearms	12	First Strike / Infantryman	First attack +35% / stronger charged attacks
Polearms	14	Long Reach II / Tormenting Strike	More savings / combos slow enemy stamina
Polearms	16	Artery Slasher / Impaler II	Faster bleeding / more piercing
Polearms	18	Iron Rain	Unbroken attacks grow stronger
Marksmanship	6	Crippling Shot / Steady Aim	Hits cut enemy stamina / holding still 2 seconds adds damage
Marksmanship	8	Salvo	Faster reload and aim after each shot
Marksmanship	10	Hal Shot First / Sagittarius	First shot +15% / less drain on horseback
Marksmanship	12	Forbidden Weapon / Skirmisher / Thundering Blast	Bolts bleed more / bow on foot: +20% stamina recovery / first gunshot debuffs foes
Marksmanship	14	Crippling Shot II / One Shot at Glory	Stronger / a ranged kill makes the next shot +50%
Marksmanship	16	Hal Shot First II / Steady Aim II	+15% more / stationary shots +30%
Marksmanship	18	Eagle Eye	Time slows for 3 seconds while aiming
Unarmed	6	Belligerent Brawler / The Harder They Fall	Cheaper, harder punches for 30 seconds / +5 Unarmed against armed foes
Unarmed	8	Kurzkampf / No Pain No Gain	Clinch attacks +10% / +15% stat XP from fist fights
Unarmed	10	Bring 'em On! / Start Me Up! / String Like a Bee	Bonuses after a defeat / combos restore stamina / +30% for the first 30 seconds
Unarmed	12	Battering Ram / Sandman	Combos slow enemy stamina 50% / easier stealth kills and knockouts
Unarmed	14	Evening the Odds / Rigenmeister	Punches +10% / chokehold knockout from a clinch
Unarmed	16	Jawbreaker / Kurzkampf II	Harder blows / clinch attacks +15% more

Source: PCGamesN's perk list, May 16, 2025, which spells "Hal Shot First" and "String Like a Bee" this way. Patch 1.4 changed Infantryman to add +5 polearm skill and lower enemy defense. Weapon details are on Combat Guide, Melee Weapons, Bows and Crossbows and Firearms.

Tree	Level	Perk	Effect
Alchemy	6	Art of Preservation / Enthusiast / Potion Seller	Food and herbs decay 50% slower / no fatigue while brewing / potions sell 30% higher
Alchemy	8, 14	Secret of Equilibrium or Secret of Matter (I and II)	Forgives brewing mistakes, or 1 then 3 extra potions per brew (exclusive)
Alchemy	10	Poison Specialist / Purple Haze	Longer poisons / +1 Vitality per active potion or drink
Alchemy	12	Dark Arts Apprentice / Water of Life	Easier brewing after midnight / potions heal 25% faster
Alchemy	16	Secret of Secrets	A perfect brew gives top quality
Alchemy	18	Special Powder	Self-made gunpowder works better
Craftsmanship	6	Razor Sharp / Seven-League Boots / Well-Fitted	Self-sharpened weapons +10% / boots save stamina / quieter self-repaired gear
Craftsmanship	8	Helping Hand / Thorough Maintenance	Repairs 20% cheaper / gear wears 10% slower
Craftsmanship	10	Hardened Steel / Keen Eye	Forged weapons wear 20% slower / paid repairs give XP
Craftsmanship	12	Locksmith / Totally Legit	+3 Thievery for lockpicking and extra picks from scrap / stolen status fades faster
Craftsmanship	14	Bowyer	Kit-repaired bows and crossbows +10%
Craftsmanship	16	Martin's Secret	Forge the top quality tier
Drinking	6	Nightcap / Saint Vivian's Grace	Resist hangovers / less fall damage drunk
Drinking	8	Beerfoot / Lucky Day	Quieter indoors drunk / drunker means fewer wasted dice badges
Drinking	10	Beer Belly / Drunk's Luck / Heavy Duty	Beer fills twice as much / +4 Thievery / +4 Craftsmanship while tipsy
Drinking	12	Cheers! / Indomitable Drunk	Wine or beer heal 5 health / milder drunkenness
Drinking	14	Drunken Fool / Tavern Brawler	Talk out of minor crimes drunk / +4 Unarmed while tipsy
Drinking	16	Enhanced Mixture / Experienced Reveler	Potions heal while drunk / bonuses start sooner
Horsemanship	6	Knight Training / Saddler	Mounted attacks 15% cheaper / better cobbler's kit repairs
Horsemanship	10	Ride Like the Wind; Roadrunner or Wildrunner	Cheaper galloping; cheaper riding on or off roads (exclusive)
Horsemanship	12	Final Stretch / Trample	Speed burst near empty stamina / charges lower morale
Horsemanship	14	Into the Fray / War Horse	Charged saddle attacks +20% / kills raise the horse's morale
Houndmaster	Start	Lifesaver	Mutt defends Henry in battle
Houndmaster	6	Hunt! / Search!	Mutt hunts game / Mutt finds points of interest
Houndmaster	10	Charming Companion / Hellhound	+3 Charisma with Mutt near / foes flee sooner
Houndmaster	12	Bark! / Dogs' Best Friend / Heightened Scent	Mutt barks on command / dogs stay quiet / Mutt finds enemies
Houndmaster	20	Sic 'em!	Mutt attacks 20% harder
Scholarship	6	Cushion	+50% comfort while sitting
Scholarship	8	Wonders of Beasts / Man / Nature	Faster XP for two skills each
Scholarship	10	Liberal Arts / Contemplative	Shows how hard a dialogue check is / slower needs while still
Scholarship	12	Fundamentals of Law / Medicine	+2 Speech with guards, lower fines / better bandages
Scholarship	14	Fundamentals of Theology	Shrine prayer guards against mortal injury for 12 hours
Scholarship	18	Explorer	Reveals the whole map
Stealth	Start	Stealth Kill / Takedown	Dagger kill / chokehold knockout
Stealth	8	Fleeting Shadow / Natural Camouflage	Bonuses while wanted / dirtier is harder to see
Stealth	10	Ordinary Man; Rodent or Weasel Boy	Crimes forgotten faster; quieter indoors or outdoors (exclusive)
Stealth	12	Deceptive Stance / Escape Artist / Surprise Attack	+3 Warfare without armor / searchers give up sooner / unseen shots debuff
Stealth	18	Ambusher	+20% against unaware targets
Survival	6	On the Poacher's Trail / Wanderer	Herbs, game and hides sell for double / better wild beds
Survival	8	Flower Power / Master Cook	+2 Charisma carrying 30 fresh herbs / cooked food at full condition
Survival	10	Bounty of the Wild / Leg Day / Lucky Find	More from animals / Strength from picking herbs / extra finds
Survival	12	Heartseeker / Leshy	Chest shots +10% / forest bonuses
Survival	14	Master Fletcher	Arrows fly farther and pierce more
Survival	16	Wild Man	Leshy outside every town
Thievery	6	Nimble Fingers / Silent Fiddler	Pickpocket timer 10% slower / near-silent lockpicks
Thievery	8	Rapid Flight / Tool Master	A failed pickpocket goes unnoticed / sturdier picks
Thievery	10	Hidden Pockets / Thief's Eyes	33% chance to avoid a search / shows where items count as stolen
Thievery	12	Back Alley Skirmisher / Lawbreaker	One-handed without a shield +10% / bonuses while wanted
Thievery	14	Mischief Artist / Stamping Ground	+3 Thievery and Stealth after a theft / +3 Stealth in settlements
Thievery	18	Inconspicuous / Master Thief	Victims may not see Henry / simple locks open almost at once

Source: PCGamesN's perk list, May 16, 2025; higher ranks of several perks are left out. Game Rant gives Locksmith as 1 to 3 extra lockpicks per forged scrap-iron item, and TheGamer gives Rapid Flight a 3-minute cooldown.

Hidden perks

26:34 Hidden perks are not bought: Henry earns them by doing something often enough. Game Rant's list names nine.

Hidden perk	How to unlock	Effect
Good Old Pebbles	Ride Pebbles about 35 km	Raises Pebbles' stats
Red Herring	Ride Herring about 50 km	Raises Herring's stats
Hammered	Craft 50 blacksmithing items	Heavy weapons cost 10% less stamina per swing
Lab Dweller	Craft 20 potions	Potions and poisons last longer, shorter hangovers
Resistance	Pick 200 poisonous herbs	+2 Vitality
Steak Tartare	Drink the Strange Potion of the hidden alchemist in south Kuttenberg	Eat raw and rotten meat safely
Tool Master	Open 20 locks with lockpicks	Picks last 15% longer
Master Strike, Sticky Fingers	Named in Game Rant's list

Source: Game Rant's hidden perk guide, Feb 27, 2025; riding distances from TheGamer. Patch 1.4 slightly reduced the Pebbles and Herring boosts. See Horses.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best perks in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2? In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, TheGamer's ranking names Cushion, Sic 'em!, Locksmith, Deft Hands, Leg Day, Secret of Matter, Jack of All Trades, Martin's Heritage, Furor Teutonicus and Diehard. Game Rant recommends Head Protection and Thick-Blooded for the early game.

How do you get perk points in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2? In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Henry gets one perk point each time a main stat or skill levels up, and he can spend it in any tree, according to Game Rant.

How many perks are in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2? Warhorse has not published a total for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Game Rant counts 275 perks, and PCGamesN's list has roughly 330 entries counting Main Level and starting perks.

Should you pick Martin's Heritage or Radzig's Heritage in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2? In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 the two Main Level 10 perks exclude each other: Martin's Heritage speeds Swords, Craftsmanship and Survival, and Radzig's Heritage speeds Heavy Weapons, Marksmanship and Scholarship, per PCGamesN. TheGamer's best-perks list includes Martin's Heritage.

Can you respec perks in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2? Yes. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 drinking Lethean Water lets Henry reselect his perks, according to PCGamesN.

What are the hidden perks in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2? Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has hidden perks earned through actions, and Game Rant lists nine: Good Old Pebbles, Hammered, Lab Dweller, Master Strike, Red Herring, Resistance, Steak Tartare, Sticky Fingers and Tool Master.

Sources

Best Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 perks, PCGamesN (Lowell Bell), May 16, 2025
How To Use Perkpoints In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Game Rant (Joshua Leeds), Feb 12, 2025
The Best Perks In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, TheGamer (Gary Kay), Feb 18, 2025
8 Must-Do Things For A Strong Early Game In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Game Rant (Eduardo Ariedo), Feb 5, 2025
KCD2 All Hidden Perks And How To Unlock Them, Game Rant (Lucas Simons), Feb 27, 2025
All Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 potions, PCGamesN (Paul Kelly), Feb 18, 2025
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - How to Increase Charisma, Game Rant (Taylor Pittman), Feb 12, 2025
How To Forge Weapons & Tools In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Game Rant (Joe Grantham), Feb 6, 2025
Tips For Pickpocketing In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, TheGamer (Sam Hallahan), Feb 4, 2025
Pebbles Vs. Herring, TheGamer (Obaid -ur-Rehman), Feb 12, 2025
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Patch 1.2 notes, Deep Silver, Mar 13, 2025
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Patch 1.4 notes, Deep Silver, Sep 9, 2025
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Patch 1.5 notes, Deep Silver, Nov 11, 2025
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 - 10 Early Game Mistakes to Avoid, IGN, Feb 4, 2025 (video)
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 - 25 Essential Beginner's Tips & Explanations (Gameplay Mechanics Guide)🔎, WolfheartFPS, Feb 5, 2025 (video)
The ULTIMATE Starter's Guide for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Strat Gaming Guides, Feb 15, 2025 (video)

Moments

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 - 10 Early Game Mistakes to Avoid

IGN

0:53 In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 a perk is a permanent bonus that Henry buys with a perk point, and he earns one point…

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 - 25 Essential Beginner's Tips & Explanations (Gameplay Mechanics Guide)🔎

WolfheartFPS

3:19 Perk points come from leveling, not from the main level. Game Rant says a point arrives each time a main stat or skill…

The ULTIMATE Starter's Guide for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Strat Gaming Guides

24:22 Some perks force a choice. PCGamesN's list marks mutually exclusive pairs, such as Martin's Heritage and Radzig's…
25:07 PCGamesN's list points to the perks that change how the game plays. Its picks include Jack of All Trades (+2 to skill…
26:34 Hidden perks are not bought: Henry earns them by doing something often enough. Game Rant's list names nine.