Can You Be a Bad Guy in Kingdom Come: Deliverance? A Deep Dive
Yes, absolutely! In Kingdom Come: Deliverance, you can absolutely embrace your inner villain. While you’re always playing as Henry, the blacksmith’s son, the game offers considerable freedom in how you approach quests, interact with NPCs, and shape your reputation. You can engage in behaviors like stealing, pickpocketing, murdering from behind, and generally making choices that align with a morally dubious character. While you can’t become the king or a lord, you can certainly carve out a niche for yourself as a feared and respected, or despised, figure in 15th-century Bohemia. Let’s delve into the nuances of being a “bad guy” in this historically rich RPG.
Embracing the Dark Side: Villainous Paths in Bohemia
Kingdom Come: Deliverance doesn’t force you onto a singular, heroic path. You are free to make choices that will have an impact on the world and its inhabitants. Here are some key aspects of playing a villainous character:
- Stealth and Crime: The game’s stealth mechanics are well-developed. You can use them to your advantage by robbing houses, ambushing travelers on roads, and infiltrating fortified locations. Successfully executing these crimes relies on your skills in stealth, lockpicking, and combat.
- Reputation Management (or Lack Thereof): Your actions affect your reputation in various towns and villages. Engaging in criminal activities will lower your reputation, causing merchants to refuse service and guards to become suspicious. However, a low reputation might not always be a bad thing. You might find yourself more aligned with bandit groups or other shady characters.
- Dialogue Choices: Many quests offer opportunities to make morally questionable decisions. You can choose to lie, betray, or extort NPCs for your own gain. These choices can alter the outcome of quests and affect your relationships with other characters.
- Combat Prowess: While not inherently evil, becoming a master swordsman or archer can certainly aid in your villainous pursuits. Dominating combat allows you to intimidate, threaten, and eliminate anyone who stands in your way.
- Exploiting Game Mechanics: Like any open-world game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance has certain mechanics that can be exploited for nefarious purposes. Whether it’s manipulating the economy or finding loopholes in the quest system, there are ways to gain an advantage through unethical means.
It’s important to remember that Kingdom Come: Deliverance strives for realism. Your actions have consequences, and there are no black-and-white decisions. Even “good” choices might have unforeseen repercussions. So, when deciding to play a villain, be prepared to deal with the ramifications of your actions.
FAQ: Kingdom Come: Deliverance – Villain Edition
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further explore the possibilities of being a “bad guy” in Kingdom Come: Deliverance:
1. Can I become a ruler or noble through villainous means?
Unfortunately, no. The game’s narrative is rooted in historical accuracy. While you can significantly impact events and characters, you cannot ascend to a position of power like king or lord. Henry’s destiny is tied to his lineage and role in the larger political landscape, not through achieving noble status. The game makes it clear that it was not that easy in real life, as noted. Mighty people do not want to share their power.
2. Is there a “karma” system that punishes evil actions?
Kingdom Come: Deliverance does not have a traditional karma system. Instead, your actions affect your reputation with individual towns and factions. A low reputation might make life difficult, but it doesn’t prevent you from continuing your villainous ways.
3. Can I join bandit groups or other criminal organizations?
While you can’t formally “join” a bandit group, your actions can certainly align you with them. A low reputation might make bandits less hostile and even open up opportunities for cooperation.
4. Can I kill important NPCs without breaking the game?
The game has measures in place to prevent you from killing essential story characters. However, you can eliminate many non-essential NPCs, which can have consequences for quests and the overall game world.
5. Does being a “bad guy” lock me out of certain quests or storylines?
Yes, it can. Some quests require a certain level of reputation or morality. Choosing the “evil” path might close off some opportunities while opening up others more suited to your character.
6. Can I steal from everyone and get away with it?
While possible, constantly stealing will significantly lower your reputation. Guards will be more vigilant, merchants will refuse to trade, and you’ll likely face more encounters with bounty hunters or angry citizens. Stealth is key if you want to maintain a successful life of crime.
7. Are there any perks or benefits to having a low reputation?
Surprisingly, yes. A low reputation might make you attractive to certain unsavory characters or open up opportunities for black market deals. You might also find that bandits are less likely to attack you on sight.
8. Can I use intimidation or threats to get what I want?
Absolutely! Dialogue options often allow you to use intimidation or threats to persuade NPCs. This is especially effective if you have a high strength or combat skill. Be aware, however, that this can backfire if your target is particularly strong-willed or has powerful allies.
9. Is it possible to be a “silent assassin” and avoid detection?
Yes, with enough skill in stealth and combat, you can become a highly effective assassin. Using stealth takedowns and carefully managing your visibility and noise levels will allow you to eliminate targets without raising alarms.
10. Can I betray companions or allies for personal gain?
Yes, in certain quests, you can choose to betray your allies for your own benefit. This can have significant consequences for your relationships and the overall storyline.
11. How does my appearance affect my ability to be a “bad guy”?
Your appearance matters. Wearing dark clothing, having a menacing haircut, and even your level of cleanliness can influence how NPCs perceive you. A well-dressed noble is less likely to be suspected of petty theft than a dirty peasant.
12. Can I bribe guards or officials to avoid punishment for my crimes?
Yes, you can often bribe guards to overlook your crimes. The cost of the bribe will depend on the severity of the offense and your relationship with the guard.
13. Can I romance Theresa or Lady Stephanie while playing a villainous character?
Yes, you can. Your romantic pursuits are largely independent of your overall morality. However, your actions might influence the outcome of these relationships.
14. Can I have children in Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
According to the text, “There are NO children. At all.” This remains unchanged regardless of being a “bad guy” or not.
15. What are the consequences of being caught committing murder?
If you are caught committing murder, you will likely face arrest and imprisonment. You can try to escape, bribe the guards, or serve your sentence. Your reputation will also take a significant hit.
Final Thoughts: The Morality of Medieval Bohemia
Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a complex and immersive world where you can truly shape your own destiny, for better or for worse. While you can’t become a king or rewrite history, you can certainly make a name for yourself as a cunning, ruthless, and unforgettable character. So, embrace your dark side, experiment with the game’s mechanics, and see what kind of villain you can become in the harsh and unforgiving world of 15th-century Bohemia. The Games Learning Society understands the value in exploring historical context through immersive gameplay and it can offer perspectives on the broader educational benefits of games. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.