This Kingdom Come: Deliverance II tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Builds Rankings
| Tier | Build | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Swordsman | 9.5/10 | Engage enemies one-on-one using master strikes, execute combos against stunned opponents, and maintain heavy armor for survivability. |
| A | Archer | 8.5/10 | Engage from distance with aimed headshots, switch to melee if enemies close the gap. |
| B | Brawler | 7.5/10 | Close distance quickly, use mace to ignore armor, win clinches with high Strength to create openings. |
| A | Stealth Build | 8.5/10 | Operate at night, avoid detection, use poison and stealth kills to handle targets without open combat. |
| B | Jack of All Trades | 7.5/10 | Adapt to each situation — fight when advantageous, sneak when outnumbered, talk when profitable. |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Swordsman (S-Tier)
The most versatile combat build focusing on longsword mastery. Master strikes with a longsword are the safest and most damaging combat technique. Captain Bernard's training unlocks combo sequences that devastate armored opponents.
Best with: St. George's Sword, Plate Armor set, Decorated Helmet Stat focus: Strength, Agility, Warfare, Defence
Archer (A-Tier)
Ranged combat is powerful but mechanically demanding — no crosshair, arrows arc with gravity, and drawing the bow drains stamina. Once mastered, you can eliminate enemies before melee engagement. Hunting also provides steady income.
Best with: Yew Longbow, Hunting Arrows, Light Armor for mobility Stat focus: Agility, Strength (for draw weight), Bow skill
Brawler (B-Tier)
Unarmed and mace combat focused on overwhelming opponents with raw strength. Maces bypass armor entirely, making this build effective against heavily armored knights. Clinch victories depend on high Strength stat.
Best with: Bailiff's Mace, Heavy Shield, Full Plate Armor Stat focus: Strength, Vitality, Defence, Warfare
Stealth Build (A-Tier)
Focuses on avoiding combat entirely through stealth, lockpicking, and pickpocketing. Night operations with dark clothing make you nearly invisible. Poisoning food and drinks eliminates targets without direct confrontation.
Best with: Dark Padded Armor, Lockpicks, Poison vials, Dagger Stat focus: Agility, Stealth, Lockpicking, Pickpocketing
Jack of All Trades (B-Tier)
Spreads skill points across combat, stealth, and social skills. Handles every situation adequately but excels at none. Good for first playthroughs when you don't know what challenges lie ahead.
Best with: Versatile weapon set, Medium Armor, Lockpicks, Bow Stat focus: Balance across all stats, slight emphasis on Strength and Agility
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Longsword | Swordsman | The best overall weapon type with the most combo options and balanced speed-to-damage ratio. |
| Mace | Brawler | Blunt weapons that deal full damage through plate armor, making them the counter to heavily armored enemies. |
| Hunting Bow | Archer | The primary ranged weapon requiring significant skill investment to use effectively. |
| Halberd | Swordsman (situational) | A polearm weapon with the longest melee reach in the game. |
| Short Sword | Jack of All Trades | Faster than a longsword with less reach and damage. |
Equipment Analysis
Longsword: The best overall weapon type with the most combo options and balanced speed-to-damage ratio. St. George's Sword is the best longsword in the game, found in a high-level treasure chest. Longswords excel against lightly armored opponents.
Mace: Blunt weapons that deal full damage through plate armor, making them the counter to heavily armored enemies. The Bailiff's Mace is obtainable through a side quest in Kuttenberg. Slower swing speed means timing master strikes is even more critical.
Hunting Bow: The primary ranged weapon requiring significant skill investment to use effectively. No crosshair means you must develop muscle memory for aiming. Better bows have higher draw weights requiring more Strength but dealing more damage.
Halberd: A polearm weapon with the longest melee reach in the game. Excellent for fighting from horseback and keeping multiple opponents at distance. Cannot be stored in inventory — must be carried in hands or on horse.
Short Sword: Faster than a longsword with less reach and damage. Best paired with a shield for a defensive fighting style. The speed advantage makes it forgiving for players still learning the combat timing.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II centers on realistic sword combat and reputation system. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one.
What's strong right now:
- Swordsman with Longsword is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- alchemy crafting builds are gaining ground as players find new synergies.
- Brawler remains essential for learning hard content.
What's underrated:
- Archer is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Hunting Bow offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Jack of All Trades builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Swordsman | Longsword | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Archer | Mace | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Brawler | Hunting Bow | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Stealth Build | Halberd | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Jack of All Trades | Short Sword | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
For full build guides, see Kingdom Come: Deliverance II builds. For progression help, check the walkthrough.
