Mastering skills in Kingdom Come: Deliverance can be a daunting task, especially with the variety of mechanics influencing XP gain. This guide will break down the best methods for leveling up every skill efficiently, including tested XP values and optimal strategies.
Archery – The Fastest Way to Level Your Bow Skill
For every successful shot that doesn’t kill, you earn 1.5 XP. If the shot results in a kill, you earn 8.5 XP. However, chickens do not grant XP, but other animals like dogs, pigs, cows, and sheep provide the same XP as humans and bandits.
Optimal Strategy:
- Hunt animals instead of engaging enemy troops—since all targets provide the same XP, animals are easier and quicker to eliminate.
- Sheep in the countryside respawn quickly and tend to be in groups, making them ideal targets.
- Loot the meat from animals for profit. Note that after respawning, animals will no longer drop loot.
Melee Combat – The Most Efficient Leveling Methods
Melee combat follows the same XP structure as archery:
- 1.5 XP per hit (including blocked attacks)
- 8.5 XP per kill
- Chickens do not count
Optimal Strategy:
- Attack unarmored targets like dogs, pigs, and sheep for quick and effortless XP.
- Civilians can also be attacked, though consequences are high.
- Avoid long fights with guards—smaller targets yield faster results.
Lockpicking – Gain XP Fast in Rattay
Each successful lockpick grants XP based on difficulty:
- Very Easy: 6.5 XP
- Easy: 8.5 XP
- Hard: 10.5 XP
- Very Hard: 13.5 XP
Optimal Strategy:
- In Rattay, locks reset throughout the day.
- Start with residential homes at night for lower difficulty locks.
- Once skilled, target businesses near the Rathaus, where multiple very hard locks exist.
- Traders reset locks daily, allowing for continuous practice.
Stealth – Overpowered and Easy to Level
Stealth XP is awarded for:
- Lockpicking: 4.5 XP per successful pick (regardless of difficulty).
- Knocking out NPCs: 15 XP per stealth KO (guards, civilians, or sleeping targets).
Optimal Strategy:
- Choke out NPCs whenever possible—avoid killing for repeated XP gain.
- Pick every lock you find—even if you don’t need to loot the contents.
Pickpocketing – Max XP Gains
Pickpocketing XP scales based on item value, ranging from 9 XP to 69 XP per successful theft.
Optimal Strategy:
- Knock out an NPC, steal all their items, then replace them with high-value items you bring.
- Wait 1-2 in-game hours, then pickpocket them to retrieve your own items for maximum XP.
- Be careful—repeated knockouts will eventually kill the NPC.
Speech – The Slowest Skill to Level
Speech levels up from:
- New dialogue options (0.5–1 XP per page).
- Haggling with merchants (1 XP per haggle).
- Bribing guards after being caught committing crimes.
Optimal Strategy:
- Haggle every single transaction.
- Commit petty crimes in a town you don’t care about, then repeatedly talk your way out of trouble.
Drunkenness – Leveling Through Alcohol
XP is based on alcohol percentage:
- 5% Beer: 9 XP
- 7% Savior Schnapps: 12 XP
- 13% Fine Wine: 23 XP
- 20% Mead: 30 XP
Optimal Strategy:
- Drink heavily before sleeping to gain XP and sleep off the effects.
- Use potions to cure hangovers if needed.
Herbalism – Easy XP, Just Pick Everything
- 4.25 XP per herb picked.
- As skill increases, larger areas are harvested at once, making XP slower over time.
Optimal Strategy:
- Find a large meadow and pick everything in sight.
- Sell extra herbs for profit.
Horsemanship – The Slowest Skill to Level
XP is distance-based, not time-based. Combat while mounted does not grant XP.
Optimal Strategy:
- Always ride at full speed to cover as much distance as possible.
- Use a preset circuit (e.g., around Rattay) to grind XP.
Reading – The Quickest Passive XP Gain
XP is granted for:
- Opening a new book, letter, scroll, or treasure map (18 XP per item).
- Studying skill books.
Optimal Strategy:
- Read everything you find.
- Buy and study skill books for passive XP gain.
Alchemy – Straightforward But Time-Consuming
Each potion brewed grants 24 XP, regardless of complexity.
Optimal Strategy:
- Brew bulk batches of easy potions for consistent XP.
Maintenance – The Easiest Skill to Max Out
XP is gained from:
- Repairing weapons at a grindstone.
- Using repair kits on damaged gear.
Optimal Strategy:
- Steal or buy all repair kits and use them on looted gear.
- Damage weapons deliberately, then repair them.
- This method can max out maintenance in under a minute.
Hunting – XP Per Animal
- Hare: 15 XP (9 for kill, 6 for looting).
- Doe: 23 XP (14 for kill, 9 for looting).
- Deer: 60 XP (36 for kill, 24 for looting).
Optimal Strategy:
- Hunt larger game for higher XP, but hares are plentiful.
Warfare – Combat Skill XP
- 5 XP per kill.
- 2 XP per high-damage hit.
- 1 XP per low-damage hit.
- 0.5 XP for unarmed attacks.
Optimal Strategy:
- Focus on high-damage strikes for efficient leveling.
Defense – Level Up with Master Strokes
XP varies based on block type:
- 1–1.5 XP per regular block.
- 3–8 XP for master strokes (counters).
Optimal Strategy:
- Counterattack with master strokes as often as possible.
- Ignore regular blocks.
Strength & Agility – Weapon-Based XP Gains
- XP is proportional to the weapon’s required stats.
- Use weapons with higher Strength/Agility requirements to level those stats faster.
Vitality – The Most Misunderstood Stat
XP comes only from combat kills (9 XP per kill).
Optimal Strategy:
- Focus on continuous fighting to level Vitality instead of jumping or running.
Skill Training – When to Use It
Training costs scale with skill level but can be useful:
- Level 0: 30 XP (60 Groschen)
- Level 5: 120 XP (180 Groschen)
- Level 10: 211 XP (540 Groschen)
- Level 15: 300 XP (1,600 Groschen)
Some skills benefit from training (Speech, Lockpicking), while others (Maintenance) do not.
With these strategies, you’ll efficiently max out your skills in Kingdom Come: Deliverance!
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