Stealth kills in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is more than sneaking up behind an enemy and getting the job done. When you want to quietly choke out a guard or deliver a swift, dagger-assisted goodbye, stealth kills and knockouts let you deal with obstacles in a way that doesn’t involve getting dogpiled by angry swordsmen five seconds later.
But pulling off a successful stealth kill in KCD2 isn’t as easy as it looks. There’s timing involved, some stat-checking, and the ever-present risk of completely botching the attempt, leaving you in an awkward wrestling match with your would-be victim. So, this guide will explain everything you need to know about how to unlock stealth kills and execute them properly.
How to Unlock Stealth Kill in Kindom Come: Deliverance 2
Before you can start slitting the throats of enemies, you need to make sure you can do so. Unlike in some games where stealth kills are available from the start, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 tasks you to unlock it first. You can find the Stealth kill skill in the Player menu under the Stealth section. If it’s not unlocked, Henry won’t be able to kill enemies silently.
Moreover, unlike in Skyrim where your bare hands can turn into deadly weapons, you’ll need a proper dagger in KCD2. You can find one early in the game at a camp southwest of Troskowitz, buy one from a blacksmith, or grab a free one beside the training chest in Miller Kreyzl’s shack. Once you have the dagger, equip it in the yellow color specific dagger slot in your inventory.
How to Perform Stealth Kill in KCD2
With the dagger in hand, press the crouch key (C on PC, B on Xbox, Circle on PlayStation) to enter the Stealth mode. Move slowly and avoid making unnecessary noise. Get behind your target and avoid the sight of other NPCs. Getting spotted mid-kill ruins the whole “stealth” part of stealth kill.
When close enough to the enemy, you’ll see a “Stealth Kill” prompt (F on PC, LT/L2 on consoles). Hold this button to begin the animation. A blue crossed-swords icon will appear, press the attack button (Left Mouse Button / R2 / RT) when you see the icon. If done correctly, Henry will execute a clean, silent kill. If you mess up, don’t panic—there’s a small window to recover.
How to Do Stealth Knockout in KCD 2
Not every situation calls for murder. Sometimes, you only need to remove an obstacle without leaving a trail of bodies behind. To stealth knockout, follow the same steps as a Stealth Kill – Sneak up behind the enemy and wait for the prompt, but instead of selecting “Stealth Kill,” choose “Knock Out.” Just like with a kill, press the attack button when you see the blue swords icon appear. Sometimes, the target will resist. If a green shield icon pops up, you need to press the block button (Right Mouse Button / L1 / LB) at the right moment to complete the takedown. If you mess up the timing, your target can break free and alert others.
Should You Kill or Knock Out Your Target?
Deciding between a kill and a knockout depends on your situation and what you want to do and are ready to face the consequences later on. Stealth Kills eliminate the threat permanently but once you’re caught, the punishment is severe, and a body is much harder to explain away.
While Stealth Knockouts are a lower-risk option, the enemy will eventually come out of sleep. If another NPC finds them, they can even revive them right away. If you’re unsure, you can always knock someone out and then later “Slaughter” them by pressing R2/RT over their unconscious body – it’s brutal but effective.
How to Get Better at Stealth Kills
If you’re struggling with stealth kills and not good at them first, here are some tips to help you improve:
- Upgrade Henry’s Strength and Stealth Skills – Higher stats mean better, more success in sneak attacks.
- Practice at Miller Kreyzl’s Camp – Early in the game, you can train stealth takedowns on an NPC named Hensel as many times as you want.
- Wear the Right Clothing – Dark, lightweight clothing reduces your noise level. Avoid heavy armor unless you want to sound like a walking blacksmith shop.
- Use the Scout Playstyle – If you picked Scout at the game’s start, you’ll have an easier time sneaking around.
