Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 players aren’t getting much rest-Warhorse Studios has just unleashed its first DLC, Brushes with Death, injecting new color (literally) and chaos into medieval Bohemia. The expansion isn’t just another side quest; it’s a quirky journey with a mysterious painter and a splash of fresh customization, all arriving mere months after the original game’s February release. For fans ready for more adventures and new loot, this is an early treat.
Brushes with Death whisks Henry into the orbit of Master Voyta-a painter whose eccentricity is matched only by his ambition to create a magnum opus. The questline takes players across both the Trosky and Kuttenberg maps, delivering a mix of new faces and returning characters from the base game. Unlike some expansions, there’s no need to finish specific main quests to dive in, making it easy for newcomers and veterans alike to join the artistic escapade.
The standout feature is undoubtedly shield painting. After helping Voyta, players can craft their own shield designs using a variety of palettes, patterns, and emblems. It’s not just about picking colors: additional insignias unlock as you complete certain side quests, visit hidden locations, or interact with specific NPCs. Impressively, if you already met these milestones in your base playthrough, you’ll find those options ready to go-offering a subtle nod to completionists who love seeing their progress pay off in unexpected ways.
For a DLC priced at $5.99 (or free for Expansion Pass or Gold Edition owners), this is a surprisingly robust set of features. Warhorse has avoided the “cosmetic-only” pitfall by tying customization to meaningful gameplay, ensuring that shield painting isn’t just an afterthought but part of your ongoing medieval journey. The fact that you can access Brushes with Death without grinding through the main story is a welcome move for those who prefer to chart their own course.
On top of the DLC, everyone gets a slice of the action with Update 1.3. This free patch introduces a new horse racing side activity—offering a break from swordplay in favor of speed and competition. A couple of related quests arrive alongside a generous helping of bug fixes and gameplay tweaks, part of Warhorse’s ongoing effort to polish and expand the core experience.
While not as sweeping as a full expansion, Brushes with Death adds welcome flavor and replay value to Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, while the free update keeps the world dynamic for all players. By tying customization to exploration and progress, Warhorse is doubling down on what made the base game shine—immersion and player agency.
TL;DR: Brushes with Death is Kingdom Come Deliverance 2’s first DLC, inviting players to help a troubled artist and unlock shield painting customization, with patterns tied to your achievements in-game. Priced at $5.99 (free for Expansion Pass/Gold Edition owners), it’s a fun, accessible add-on. Meanwhile, free Update 1.3 brings horse racing and more quests, keeping Bohemia lively for every adventurer.
Source: Warhorse Studios via GamesPress