Can You Switch Horses in Kingdom Come: Deliverance? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you absolutely can switch horses in Kingdom Come: Deliverance (KCD)! While you start your journey with the trusty Pebbles, a gift that’s more of a rusty, rattling bike than a majestic steed, the game allows you to acquire and then choose from a stable of horses. You are not stuck with Pebbles forever! This article will explore the mechanics of acquiring new horses, managing your stable, and understanding the nuances of horse ownership in KCD.
Acquiring New Horses in Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Where to Buy Horses
The primary method of obtaining new horses is through purchase. Horse traders are located throughout the game world, and each offers a different selection of steeds with varying stats and prices.
- Neuhof: This is often the first location players encounter with a horse trader. The horses available here are typically a significant upgrade over Pebbles, offering improved speed, capacity, courage, and stamina.
- Uzhitz: Another reliable location for horse trading, often offering a diverse selection.
- Merhojed: Yet another spot to browse for potential new equine companions.
Horse Stats: What to Look For
When selecting a new horse, consider the following stats:
- Speed: Determines how quickly the horse can travel.
- Capacity: Dictates how much weight the horse can carry. Crucial for long journeys and looting.
- Courage: Affects how easily the horse is spooked by enemies or loud noises. A horse with low courage will buck you off more frequently.
- Stamina: Influences how long the horse can sprint before tiring.
- Price: Horses with higher stats generally cost more.
The Pebbles Dilemma
You cannot get rid of Pebbles in the traditional sense. Pebbles is given to you, you cannot sell him. You can however obtain other horses as you progress further in the game. The player will have Pebbles in his stable so in that sense the player will still own Pebbles after buying better horses.
Managing Your Horses
The Horse Tab
Once you own multiple horses, you can manage them through the “Horse” tab in your inventory menu. This tab allows you to:
- View your horses: See a list of all the horses you own.
- Equip tack: Customize your horses with different saddles, bridles, and horse armor (if you have the relevant DLC).
- Select your active horse: Choose which horse you want to call when you whistle. Only one horse can be actively “summoned” at a time.
Multiple Horses at Once?
The game mechanics allow you to have multiple horses at once. After buying a horse, you can ride away on it and your initial horse will return to the stable. The stable can hold multiple horses. You can then go to any stable in the game and select which horse you would like to ride at that time.
Stolen Horses: A Temporary Ride
While you can steal horses, you can’t keep stolen horses. They won’t appear in your horse tab, you can’t equip them with tack, and you can’t call them by whistling. They are purely temporary transportation.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance Horse FAQs
1. How do I buy a horse?
Visit any of the horse traders located in towns and settlements like Neuhof, Uzhitz, and Merhojed. Browse their selection, compare stats, and purchase the horse you desire.
2. Can I sell horses?
Yes, you can sell horses that you have bought. When buying a new horse, you often have the option to trade in your current horse to reduce the purchase price.
3. What happens to Pebbles when I buy a new horse?
Pebbles remains in your stable. You can switch back to Pebbles at any time if you desire.
4. Can my horse die?
Thankfully, your horse cannot die in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. If its health drops to zero, it will simply stay on the ground until it regenerates.
5. Where can I find the best horse armor?
Horse armor merchants are typically located in Neuhof, Uzhitz, and Merhojed. Zora in Neuhof is known to have a particularly large inventory. Also, the Chanfron and Criniere is found as a single piece of horse head armor within the game. More head armor pieces were released in the “From the Ashes” DLC.
6. What is the fastest horse in the game?
Pegasus, Shadowfax, and Shadowmere share the title of fastest horses, with a speed stat of 42. Pegasus is found in the base game, whereas the other two are DLC horses. Warhorse Jenda comes in a very close second with a speed stat of 41.
7. What horse has the highest carrying capacity?
Trojan has the highest carrying capacity at 292, followed closely by Bucephalus at 276.
8. What is horse courage, and why is it important?
Horse courage determines how easily a horse is spooked. A horse with low courage is more likely to buck you off when encountering enemies, predators, or loud noises. High courage is desirable for combat and exploration in dangerous areas.
9. Can I customize my horse?
Yes, you can customize your horse with different saddles, bridles, and horse armor. These items can be purchased from traders and provide stat bonuses.
10. Is there horse armor in the base game?
Yes, in the vanilla game, there is only one known piece of horse head armour, the chanfron and criniere. However, more were released in the DLC From the Ashes.
11. Can I sell a stolen horse?
No, you cannot sell stolen horses.
12. What happens if Shadowmere dies?
If you complete the Dark Brotherhood questline (the one in which you end up becoming head of the Dark Brotherhood), then there’s no real way to lose Shadowmere. If Shadowmere dies, he just respawns from the pond outside the Falkreath Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary.
13. How do I call my horse?
You can call your active horse by whistling. The whistle button is usually mapped to a specific key (check your control settings).
14. Can I have a romantic relationship with my horse?
No, Kingdom Come: Deliverance does not feature romantic relationships with animals. Your romantic options are limited to human characters like Theresa and Lady Stephanie.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
You can find valuable information about the educational value of games and how they can be used for learning on the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org also has a lot of information on the topic.
Mastering horse management is crucial for navigating the world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance efficiently and safely. By understanding the mechanics of horse acquisition, stats, and customization, you can ensure that you always have the perfect steed for your adventures. Happy riding!