Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a game of consequences, with every action and word being felt throughout the medieval landscape. Nowhere is this more true than with the crime and punishment system in KCD2. After being caught committing a crime, something the intelligent NPCs are very good at, Henry has a few options to try and talk or pay his way out of a punishment. If his silver tongue fails him, however, it will be up to the local bailiff to decide which of the four punishments he receives, with increasing severity.
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While the player won’t share any of the pain inflicted on Henry, they will feel its effects in-game with debuffs and the way that people treat them. Reputation is a huge deal in KCD2, so players will also want to know how they can improve their reputation after being punished for their crimes.
What Happens When You Get Caught In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2?
First of all, players should be aware that getting away with crimes in KCD2 is no easy feat, as NPCs are incredibly smart and can put two and two together if they see something suspicious. For example, if a door is left open and a villager sees Henry walking out of their house, they will go and check that nothing has been stolen. If anything is missing, they will alert a guard.
In this situation or any other where Henry is suspected of a crime, the victim or a guard will accost him, and the player will have a number of options to choose from.
- Indulgence: Pay a fine. The cost of this depends on the severity of the crime.
- Persuade: Try to talk your way out of it by using the Speech skill, Henry’s Prestige, or by intimidation.
- Leave/Fight: Refuse to accept. Against guards and armed NPCs this means trying to fight your way out. Others will run to get a guard.
- Accept Punishment: There are four types of punishment and all provide temporary debuffs. The icon tells players what is in store for Henry.
Even if you manage to escape using the Leave/Fight option, Henry will then be confronted at a later date upon returning to the area.
Unrest
Players should also be aware that no matter the outcome, a string of crimes can create unrest in the area. Inhabitants will become more vigilant, perhaps arming themselves with a weapon, and guards will be more alert and present in larger numbers.
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Every Punishment In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
If players choose to accept the Bailiff’s punishment or have no other option, then there are four variants. The choice depends on the severity of Henry’s crime, as well as his previous wrongdoings.
Henry Gets Put In The Stocks
For minor crimes such as trespassing, brawling, and theft, Henry will be put in the stocks, as long as he has not been punished recently. This humiliating experience will damage his reputation with the local population, meaning people will be less likely to help him or offer reasonable deals.
Thankfully, there will be no long-term effects, and in time, people will forget and move on.
- Disgraced: Charisma is temporarily reduced by 4. Henry’s conspicuousness is temporarily increased by 20.
With reduced Charisma, Henry will have a harder time in conversations, and with a higher conspicuousness, he will stand out more and struggle with anything stealth-related, such as pickpocketing in KCD2.
Being put in the stocks also means that time passes, potentially failing some side quests as people won’t wait for Henry or they may even be killed.
Henry Is Caned On His Back
If Henry has recently been humiliated in the stocks and commits another minor crime, the punishment will be scaled up, and he will be caned on the back. He will also receive this punishment for middling crimes such as starting a fistfight with a guard.
- Beaten Like a Dog: Strength, Agility, & Vitality reduced by 40%. Stamina regeneration is temporarily reduced by 40%.
The canning punishment in KCD2 weakens Henry, leaving him initially injured and in need of healing immediately. For the foreseeable future, he will also be weaker, but will eventually recover his stats in full.
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Henry Is Branded With Hot Iron
For a first serious crime, such as murder, Henry will be branded with hot iron as a criminal. Until the brand heals and people forget, he will be treated as an outcast.
Few will talk to Henry other than his fellow vagabonds, and most merchants won’t do business with him.
- Freshly Branded: Henry’s positive Reputation gains are temporarily reduced by 50%. Committing another serious crime can result in execution.
Be extremely careful after being branded, as being caught again can result in a game over.
Consider making a penitential pilgrimage after being branded to lessen the effects.
Henry Is Hanged From The Gallows
If Henry is caught committing a serious crime while still bearing a brand, the Bailiff will have no option but to send him to the gallows.
This will result in a harrowing cutscene and a game over. Players will be sent back to their most recent save.
How To Improve Your Reputation In KCD2 After Committing A Crime
After being punished for a crime or even just after offending the local populace, players may want to try and improve their reputation.
Thankfully, there are a few ways to go about this.
- Help others via small side quests and tasks.
- Be nice in conversations and respond positively to passers-by.
- Pay an indulgence. These boxes can be found at rathauses and churches.
- Go on a penitential pilgrimage. Henry will need to talk to a priest to initiate one.
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There are also a few Perks that help with Henry’s reputation and, of course, the best thing to do is avoid committing more crimes, or at least don’t get caught again.
RPG
Action-Adventure
Open-World
- Released
-
February 4, 2025
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ // Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
-
Warhorse Studios