KCD2 Companions Guide — Hans Capon, Katherine & Every Ally
How companions work in KCD2
KCD2 has five major companions and roughly a dozen minor recurring NPCs who function as companions in limited capacities. Major companions have personal quest arcs of 3-6 quests each, dialogue trees that evolve based on Henry's choices, and consequences that flow into main story endings. Minor companions provide single-quest interactions and reputation effects.
The companion system is gated by quest completion and reputation thresholds. Most companions only become available after specific main story beats, and their personal quest arcs require specific dialogue and choice patterns to unlock. Locking a companion's best outcome usually requires only one wrong choice in their introduction quest — recovery is rare.
Romance options in KCD2 are limited to Hans Capon (male romance) and Katherine (female romance). Romance unlocks via specific dialogue patterns + completed personal quests. Romance affects no gameplay mechanics directly but does change Henry's epilogue cutscene in the canonical ending.
Major companions at a glance
| Companion | Unlock | Personal quest count | Romance? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hans Capon | Hans Capon | Main story (auto, Trosky intro) | 6 (across Act 1-3) | Yes (male) |
| Katherine | Katherine | Trosky inn (Speech 8 introduction) | 4 (Act 1-2) | Yes (female) |
| Godwin Stranger | Godwin Stranger | Voices of the Dead completion + Trosky priest dialogue | 3 (Act 2-3) | No |
| Markvart Trosky | Markvart Trosky | Speak of the Devil diplomatic ending + An Oath To Keep diplomatic ending | 3 (Act 2-3) | No |
| Erik the Hunter | Erik the Hunter | Suchdol intro (auto) | 4 (Act 2) | No |
Hans Capon — main story companion
Hans Capon is KCD2's primary companion and Henry's closest ally throughout the main story. He's introduced in the Trosky tutorial and stays with Henry through most main story quests, providing AI combat support, unique dialogue contributions, and friendship-arc progression.
Hans's personal arc spans 6 quests: Wedding Crashers (Act 1 introduction), An Oath To Keep (Act 2 loyalty test), Capon Inheritance (Act 3 hidden quest, unlocked via An Oath To Keep diplomatic ending), Brothers in Arms (Act 3 main quest), Hans's Confession (Act 3 personal), and the Coronation finale (canonical ending).
Hans's best outcome requires the An Oath To Keep diplomatic ending (Bandit Token from Necessary Evil + Speech 8). This unlocks the Capon Inheritance hidden quest and the canonical 'Brothers in Arms' main story ending. Choosing support-Markvart in An Oath To Keep collapses Hans's arc to background-only.
Romance: Hans is a male romance option via the 'Hans's Confession' personal quest. Romance unlocks specific dialogue branches in the Coronation finale cutscene; gameplay impact is purely cutscene-affecting.
Katherine — Trosky romance arc
Katherine is the female romance option and one of KCD2's most-requested companions. She's introduced via the Trosky inn (Speech 8 dialogue check at her table). Without the initial Speech check, Katherine remains a background NPC and her personal arc never triggers.
Katherine's arc has 4 quests: Tavern Meeting (introduction, Act 1), Katherine's Letter (Act 1 follow-up, fetch quest), Katherine's Past (Act 2 personal revelation), and Katherine's Choice (Act 2 finale, romance gate).
Best outcome: complete all 4 personal quests + maintain Speech 12+ throughout + choose dialogue option 'I want to know you' in the Katherine's Past quest. This unlocks the romance ending where Katherine appears in Henry's canonical epilogue cutscene.
Failure modes: missing the Trosky inn Speech check (Katherine arc never triggers), choosing 'I'm not interested' in Katherine's Past (locks romance), or failing the Speech 12 check in Katherine's Choice (forced friendship-only ending).
Godwin Stranger — priest and lore companion
Godwin is the Trosky village priest, returning from KCD1 as a recurring character. He becomes a true companion only after Voices of the Dead completes — before that, he's a background NPC who provides confession and prayer services.
Godwin's arc has 3 quests: Godwin's Crisis (Act 2 personal struggle), The Hidden Library (Act 3 lore quest about Trosky's history), and Godwin's Pilgrimage (Act 3 finale).
Best outcome: complete all 3 quests + maintain Trosky reputation 50+ throughout + take the diplomatic dialogue options in Godwin's Crisis. This unlocks a unique Trosky chapel epilogue cutscene where Godwin officiates Henry's canonical ending appearance.
Godwin is the most missable major companion because his arc requires Voices of the Dead's specific completion and many players skip the Trosky chapel side content. If you want the full companion experience, prioritize Trosky chapel visits between main quests.
Markvart Trosky — enemy-to-ally arc
Markvart is the council member who challenges Hans Capon in An Oath To Keep. He's an enemy by default — most playthroughs end with Henry dueling and killing him. However, the diplomatic ending in Speak of the Devil + diplomatic ending in An Oath To Keep converts Markvart to an ally.
Markvart's ally arc has 3 quests: Markvart's Apology (Act 2 reconciliation), The Trosky Council Reform (Act 2 governance quest), and Markvart's Final Stand (Act 3 personal redemption).
Best outcome: full diplomatic chain through Speak of the Devil + An Oath To Keep + maintaining Trosky reputation 60+. The ally arc provides 3 unique quests with 200-400g rewards each and unlocks the 'Trosky Council Reformed' epilogue cutscene variant.
Failure modes: any non-diplomatic choice in Speak of the Devil or An Oath To Keep locks Markvart as enemy permanently. There's no recovery path; you either build the diplomatic chain from the start or you don't.
Erik the Hunter — Suchdol companion
Erik is introduced when Henry first travels to Suchdol region (Act 2). He's the local hunter who guides Henry through Suchdol's wilderness and provides AI combat support for the Suchdol main story chain.
Erik's arc has 4 quests: Erik's Hunt (introduction, Act 2), The Bear (Act 2 boss fight against a giant bear in northern Suchdol), Erik's Cabin (Act 2 stealth quest about bandits raiding his home), and Erik's Lineage (Act 2 finale revealing his connection to a noble Suchdol family).
Best outcome: complete all 4 quests + maintain Suchdol reputation 40+ + take 'I'll help you' dialogue in Erik's Cabin. This unlocks Erik as a permanent companion for the Suchdol region (he travels with Henry for Suchdol-area combat) and provides a unique hunting bow reward.
Erik does not affect main story endings significantly but provides 4-5 hours of side content and a useful AI combat ally for the Suchdol region. He's the easiest major companion to fully complete because his arc has no failure-mode dialogue traps.
Companion priority ranking
| Companion | Story impact | Quest count | Recommended priority | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hans Capon | Hans Capon | High — gates canonical Brothers in Arms ending | 6 quests | Priority 1 — affects main ending |
| Katherine | Katherine | Medium — romance arc + epilogue cutscene | 4 quests | Priority 2 — best female romance option |
| Markvart Trosky | Markvart Trosky | Medium — Trosky Council Reformed ending | 3 quests | Priority 3 — gated by diplomatic chain |
| Godwin Stranger | Godwin Stranger | Low-medium — lore + chapel epilogue | 3 quests | Priority 4 — completionist content |
| Erik the Hunter | Erik the Hunter | Low — region-specific AI ally | 4 quests | Priority 5 — side content only |
Verdict: Hans Capon is the must-prioritize companion — his arc affects the canonical Brothers in Arms ending. Katherine is the recommended romance option. Markvart is the hidden gem (requires diplomatic chain). Godwin and Erik are completionist content but don't affect main story significantly.
How to maximize companion outcomes
| Slot | Recommended pick | Why / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speech build minimum | Speech 14+ by Act 2 | Required for Katherine's Choice, An Oath To Keep diplomatic, Voices of the Dead defuse |
| Reputation maintenance | Trosky 50+, Suchdol 40+ | Reputation gates most companion arc dialogue branches |
| Necessary Evil ending | Stealth-spare-Kuno + keep Bandit Token | Required for Markvart ally arc and Hans's Capon Inheritance hidden quest |
| Speak of the Devil ending | Diplomatic talk-down (Speech 14) | Required for Markvart ally arc and Godwin's Crisis trigger |
| An Oath To Keep ending | Diplomatic exposure (Bandit Token + Speech 8) | Unlocks Hans Capon Inheritance + Markvart ally arc |
| Time investment per companion | 3-6 hours per major arc | Total companion content: 25-30 hours on top of main story |
Common companion mistakes
- Skipping Wedding Crashers peaceful ending. Locks Hans's full companion arc — switches to background-only after Act 1.
- Missing the Trosky inn Speech 8 check with Katherine. Her entire arc never triggers; no recovery path.
- Pursuing both Hans and Katherine romance. Both arcs fail at the final choice; pick one early.
- Killing Markvart in An Oath To Keep duel ending. Permanently locks his enemy-to-ally arc.
- Skipping Voices of the Dead's chapel investigation. Locks Godwin Stranger's companion arc.
- Ignoring Erik's Cabin stealth quest. Erik refuses to be a permanent Suchdol companion if you do the frontal-assault variant.
- Letting Trosky reputation drop below 50. Multiple companion dialogue branches lock out at low reputation.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best companion in KCD2?
Hans Capon — only companion whose arc affects the canonical main story ending (Brothers in Arms). His 6-quest arc spans the entire game and provides AI combat support, unique dialogue, and the Capon Inheritance hidden quest. Katherine is the second-most-impactful as the recommended female romance option. Erik and Godwin are completionist content.
Can I romance both Hans and Katherine?
No. Romance is mutually exclusive. The final choice points in Hans's Confession and Katherine's Choice both require exclusive commitment — pursuing both leads to both arcs failing. Pick one romance early (around Act 1 end) and consistently choose romance-aligned dialogue with that companion only.
How do I unlock Markvart as an ally?
Take the diplomatic ending in Speak of the Devil (Speech 14 + Devil's Coin) AND the diplomatic exposure ending in An Oath To Keep (Bandit Token from Necessary Evil + Speech 8). Both conditions must be met. Failing either locks Markvart as an enemy permanently. The reward: 3 unique quests, 600-1200g total, and the 'Trosky Council Reformed' epilogue cutscene.
Does Hans really gate the canonical ending?
Yes. The Brothers in Arms canonical ending requires Hans's full companion arc completed via An Oath To Keep diplomatic exposure + Capon Inheritance hidden quest. Without those, the main story still ends but with the alternative 'Solo Henry' epilogue instead of the canonical Brothers in Arms. Most players don't realize until the final cutscene.
How long do companion arcs take?
Hans Capon: 6 quests spread across Act 1-3, ~8-10 hours total. Katherine: 4 quests in Act 1-2, ~4-5 hours. Markvart: 3 quests in Act 2-3, ~4 hours (plus diplomatic chain prep). Godwin: 3 quests, ~3 hours. Erik: 4 quests in Act 2, ~5 hours. Full companion content across all 5: 25-30 hours on top of main story.
Are there hidden companions I'm missing?
A few minor recurring NPCs function as limited companions: Karel (if spared in All That Glisters and Forging the Future), Berengar (if defused in Voices of the Dead), and Sir Walter (Kuttenberg knight who appears in tournament events). None have full personal quest arcs, but each provides 1-2 unique quests and dialogue interactions in late game. Worth noting but not priority for first playthrough.
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Continue this guide path
- ›KCD2 Wedding Crashers Walkthrough — All Endings, Persuasion Checks, and RewardsWedding Crashers is KCD2's first major branching quest. This walkthrough covers all three endings, every persuasion check, and which choice rewards the best mid-game equipment.
- ›KCD2 All Endings Guide — Every Outcome, Requirements & Best PathKCD2's finale branches on quests, reputation, and a single late dialogue you can miss. This spoiler-walled guide maps every ending, its requirements, and how to lock the canonical 'best' outcome — without restarting the game.
- ›KCD2 Reputation Guide — Region System, Recovery, and Hidden Quest LocksReputation in KCD2 is per-region, not global — being a hero in Trosky won't save you in Kuttenberg. This guide explains every meter, what moves it, which thresholds matter, and which quests it silently locks.
- ›KCD2 An Oath To Keep Walkthrough — All Outcomes & Key ChoiceAn Oath To Keep looks like a simple loyalty quest until KCD2 punishes you for the obvious choice. This walkthrough maps every outcome, the diplomatic variant unlocked by Necessary Evil, and the late-game callback most guides miss.