KCD2 Necessary Evil Walkthrough — Stealth Approach & Best Ending

Quest context

Necessary Evil is the Act 2 follow-up to Speak of the Devil, triggered when Captain Bernard summons Henry to investigate a missing Trosky-aligned merchant named Jaroslav. Investigation reveals Jaroslav was kidnapped by a local bandit group operating from a camp in the eastern forest, demanding ransom from his family. Henry's job: free Jaroslav, ideally without a war.

The quest's design is deliberately stealth-friendly. The bandit camp has 11 enemies scattered across three guard posts, a central fire pit, and a chief's tent. Frontal assault is possible but mathematically punishing for mid-game Henry (11 enemies including a leader with 180 HP). The stealth approach reduces the encounter to 2-3 mandatory kills if executed cleanly.

Necessary Evil affects two downstream quests: An Oath to Keep (Act 2 main quest with multiple choice variants) and the hidden Trosky Reputation arc (a series of small reputation-tracking events that gate one main story ending). Sparing the bandit leader at the end is the key choice that opens both downstream branches.

Quest prerequisites

1. Complete Speak of the Devil (any ending) — Necessary Evil unlocks 24 in-game hours after Speak of the Devil concludes.
2. Speak with Captain Bernard at the Trosky garrison. He gives the initial briefing and Jaroslav's family location.
3. Have at least 2 Savior Schnapps for save points during the infiltration phase.
4. Strongly recommended: Stealth 6+ for the stealth approach (8+ for clean ghost run).
5. Optional: Speech 10+ for the spare-the-leader ending.
6. Optional: Lockpicking 5+ for the chief's tent strongbox (200 groschen + a rare crafting material).

Phase 1 — Investigation in Trosky

Quest opens at Captain Bernard's office. Bernard explains Jaroslav's situation and provides the bandit camp's approximate location (eastern forest, marker on map). Travel to Jaroslav's family home in Trosky and speak with his wife. She provides three details: the ransom amount (500 groschen), the bandit leader's name (Kuno), and the fact that Jaroslav has a medical condition (asthma) that limits how long he can survive in captivity.

After the family conversation, the bandit camp marker becomes available on the map. The marker is approximate — actual camp location is 200 meters northeast of the marker, in a small clearing. Approach via the eastern ravine for stealth, or via the western road for frontal assault.

Speech checks during this phase: 6 (calm the panicked wife to get Kuno's name), 8 (convince a Trosky guard to give you Bernard's writ of authority — useful for the diplomatic ending). Failing the writ check means you cannot legally arrest Kuno if you choose the spare-and-arrest ending.

Phase 2 — The bandit camp (stealth approach)

Enter the camp via the east ravine at night. The first patrol passes the ravine entrance every 4 minutes. Time your entry between patrols — sprint to the rocks behind the first guard tent during the gap.

From the first tent, the chief's tent is visible across the clearing (largest tent, banner above the entrance). Path: hug the south tree line, pass behind the fire pit (3 sleeping bandits — they wake if you approach within 2 meters), reach the chief's tent on the west side.

Inside the chief's tent: Kuno (sleeping if night), 1 stationary guard at the door, Jaroslav (bound in the corner). Pickpocket Kuno for the cell key (Pickpocketing 4 check, ~60% success). Free Jaroslav by interacting with his bindings (silent action). Escort Jaroslav back the same east ravine route — he follows quietly if you remove the gag (interaction in the inventory).

Phase 3 — The bandit camp (frontal assault)

Approach via the west road. The camp's main entrance has 2 sentry bandits. They draw weapons on sight; combat begins. Captain Bernard does NOT join for this quest — Henry fights alone.

Combat sequence: 2 sentries at entrance, 3 bandits at fire pit (who join the fight on sound), 2 bandits in side tents, 3 in chief's tent + Kuno. Kill order should prioritize ranged bandits first (1 archer at each guard post). Total combat time on Defense 7+ Henry: ~12 minutes.

After combat, Jaroslav is in the chief's tent (Kuno had the key, dropped on death). Free him and either loot the camp or leave directly. Frontal assault does not allow the spare-Kuno ending because Kuno dies in the inevitable combat. The Trosky reputation penalty is -10 for the violent resolution.

Recommended loadout (stealth approach)

Stealth approach step-by-step

1. Arrive at the camp after 22:00. Sleep in the ruined hut nearby if necessary to advance time.
2. Approach via the east ravine. Wait at the ravine entrance for the first patrol to pass (every 4 minutes).
3. Sprint to the rocks behind the first guard tent during the patrol gap.
4. Move south along the tree line, past the fire pit. Do not approach the sleeping bandits within 2 meters.
5. Reach the chief's tent on the west side. Enter via the back flap (lower noise than front entrance).
6. Inside: pickpocket Kuno for the cell key (Pickpocketing 4 check). If you fail, knockout-grapple him silently (Strength 6+).
7. Free Jaroslav by interacting with his bindings. Remove his gag from inventory.
8. Escort Jaroslav back via the east ravine — same route, time the patrol gaps.
9. Optional: loot the chief's strongbox (Lockpicking 5) for 200 groschen + a Bandit's Token (quest item for Necessary Evil bonus).
10. Return to Captain Bernard with Jaroslav. Quest completes with stealth-spare ending.

Approach comparison

Verdict: Stealth + spare Kuno is the canonical best outcome — highest reputation gain, exclusive Bandit Token reward, and unlocks An Oath to Keep's diplomatic variant. Frontal assault is fastest if you do not care about reputation. Negotiate ransom is the no-combat option but costs 500g out of pocket.

Common mistakes that ruin Necessary Evil

• Approaching during the day. 11 active patrols vs 3 at night — daylight raid is 4x harder.
• Wearing full mail to the stealth approach. Noise penalty makes Stealth 6 fail at any reasonable rolling state.
• Killing Kuno on a stealth backstab when going for the spare ending. The spare ending requires Kuno alive at quest end.
• Frontal assault expecting Captain Bernard support. Bernard does NOT join this quest — Henry fights alone.
• Skipping Jaroslav's gag removal. He follows but generates 'help' shouts that alert any nearby patrols.
• Not getting Bernard's writ in phase 1. Without it, the spare-and-arrest ending fails because Henry has no legal authority to arrest Kuno.
• Selling the Bandit Token. Required for An Oath to Keep diplomatic variant; cannot be re-obtained.