This Kingdom Come: Deliverance 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Swordsman | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Archer | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Stealth Thief | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Diplomat | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Alchemist | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Swordsman (A-Tier)
Swordsman is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Longsword. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Archer (A-Tier)
Archer is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Shortsword. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Stealth Thief (A-Tier)
Stealth Thief is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Mace. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Diplomat (A-Tier)
Diplomat is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Axe. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Alchemist (A-Tier)
Alchemist is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Bow. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Longsword | Duels and one on one fights against lightly and medium armoured opponents | Two handed, the fastest route to Master Strike dominance and the weapon most trainers assume you are using. |
| Shortsword | Early game fights and any situation where a shield matters more than reach | One handed, which frees a shield for the early game when Henry blocks badly and takes damage he cannot afford. |
| Mace | Armoured knights and any fight where the enemy is better protected than you | Blunt damage that gets through plate where a sword edge simply does not. |
| Axe | Early bandit camps and players who want cutting damage without longsword training | Sits between sword and mace, cheap to acquire and effective against unarmoured bandits. |
| Bow | Hunting, thinning bandit camps before contact, and mounted hit and run | Has no crosshair by design, so hitting anything requires learning the arc by feel. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Equipment Analysis
Longsword: Two handed, the fastest route to Master Strike dominance and the weapon most trainers assume you are using. Saint George's Sword sits at the top of the class at 72 slash damage and cannot be bought, only earned.
Shortsword: One handed, which frees a shield for the early game when Henry blocks badly and takes damage he cannot afford. It is the sensible weapon for the chapters before Bernard's training.
Mace: Blunt damage that gets through plate where a sword edge simply does not. The Ceremonial Mace is widely treated as the best in class and stays useful for the entire game.
Axe: Sits between sword and mace, cheap to acquire and effective against unarmoured bandits. Its skill line levels quickly because axes are everywhere in the early world.
Bow: Has no crosshair by design, so hitting anything requires learning the arc by feel. Once learned it clears camps from range and stacks with Horsemanship for mounted archery.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Kingdom Come: Deliverance centers on Skills level only through use and Combat rose and Master Strikes. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- Swordsman with Longsword is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Saviour Schnapps save system builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Stealth Thief remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Archer is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Mace offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Alchemist 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 | Shortsword | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Stealth Thief | Mace | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Diplomat | Axe | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Alchemist | Bow | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More Kingdom Come: Deliverance Guides
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Kingdom Come: Deliverance Overview
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Best Builds
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Walkthrough
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Beginner's Guide
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Tips & Tricks
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Weapons Guide
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Combat Guide
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Boss Guide
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Maps & Locations
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Crafting Guide
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Kingdom Come: Deliverance, check out these related guides:
- Elden Ring Tier List: rpg game with similar mechanics
- Baldur's Gate 3 Tier List: rpg game with similar mechanics
- Cyberpunk 2077 Tier List: rpg game with similar mechanics
