You’re standing in the middle of a muddy field in Kuttenberg. The sun is setting. You know there’s something buried beneath that patch of dirt—maybe a stash of Groschen, maybe a quest item that’ll keep you from getting your head chopped off by a Hungarian mercenary. You reach into your inventory. Nothing. No spade. Honestly, there is nothing more frustrating in the world of Warhorse Studios than being ready to dig and having no way to break the soil.
If you played the first game, you remember the struggle. Finding the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 spade isn't just about utility; it’s a rite of passage for Henry (and his companions). It’s the difference between progressing a quest and wandering aimlessly through a blacksmith's backyard hoping to find a stray tool leaning against a fence.
The spade is back. It’s still heavy. It’s still essential. And yeah, it’s still surprisingly easy to forget until you're miles away from the nearest trader.
Where to actually get your hands on a Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 spade
Look, most people assume they’ll just be handed one. "Surely the game wouldn't let me get this far without a shovel, right?" Wrong. Warhorse loves making you work for your basic necessities.
In the sequel, the world is much bigger, specifically the urban sprawl of Kuttenberg. While the first game felt like a series of small villages, the density here changes how you find items. You aren't just looking for a random pile of junk. You need to find a trader or a general merchant.
If you’re just starting out, check the local blacksmiths. They usually have one leaning near the forge, though taking it might count as stealing depending on your reputation and who's looking. If you want to stay on the right side of the law, merchants in the town square are your best bet. They’ll charge you a few Groschen, but it’s worth it to avoid the jail time.
Sometimes, you’ll find them at grave sites or execution grounds. Dark? Maybe. Efficient? Absolutely.
The mechanics of digging in the sequel
Digging isn't just a "press E to win" mechanic anymore. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, the developers have leaned harder into the simulation aspects. The spade takes up actual weight in your inventory. It’s not a feather. You have to decide: do I carry this extra five pounds of iron and wood, or do I carry more loot?
Always carry the spade.
The animation is more grounded now. You’ll see Henry—or whoever you’re playing—actually struggle with the terrain. If the ground is rocky, it takes longer. If it's raining, the mud behaves differently. It’s these small touches that make the Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 spade feel like a physical object in the world rather than just a key to unlock a "dig" prompt.
Why the spade is more than just a grave-digging tool
In the original game, the spade was famous for the "Good Thief" quest and a few burials. In the sequel, the scope has expanded.
Hidden Caches: The world is littered with "treasures" that aren't marked on your map. You’ll find maps—sketches, really—that point to a specific tree or a rock formation. Without a spade, those maps are just expensive pieces of paper.
Tactical Utility: While it’s not a primary weapon, the spade can be used in a pinch. It’s slow. It’s awkward. But if a bandit catches you while you’re unarmored and digging, a metal-tipped shovel to the face does a surprising amount of damage. It’s basically a blunt mace with a long handle.
Quest Progression: Several main story beats in the Kuttenberg arc require you to either hide evidence or recover it. You’ll be doing a lot of "night shifts" with your spade to ensure the local guards don't find what you're trying to keep secret.
The weight of realism
Warhorse Studios, led by Daniel Vávra, has always been obsessed with historical accuracy. In the 15th century, a spade wasn't a mass-produced plastic thing from a hardware store. It was hand-forged.
This means spades have durability. If you’re using it constantly, or trying to use it on terrain it wasn't meant for, it can break. Repairing it requires a trip to the blacksmith or a repair kit, adding another layer to the survival loop. It's a bit of a headache, sure, but it's the kind of detail that makes this series stand out from "standard" RPGs where items are indestructible.
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Common mistakes players make with the spade
Don't be the person who sells their spade to make room for a rusty sword. You’ll regret it.
I’ve seen players drop their spade because they’re over-encumbered, thinking they’ll remember where they left it. They never do. The grass in the Bohemian countryside is tall, and the forests are thick. Once you drop that tool, it’s gone to the world.
Another mistake? Forgetting to check the condition. There is nothing worse than reaching a hidden treasure location after a twenty-minute ride, only for the spade to snap on the first swing because it was at 5% durability.
- Buy it early.
- Keep it on your horse, not in your personal inventory (save your stamina).
- Check its "health" every time you visit a forge.
The Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 spade is your best friend. It’s your ticket to wealth and your way out of several narrative corners. Treat it better than your sword, honestly.
Actionable steps for your first 5 hours
To ensure you aren't caught unprepared, follow this workflow once you hit the open world:
- Visit the first general merchant you see in the outskirts of Kuttenberg. Do not leave the area until you have confirmed a spade is in your horse's saddlebags.
- Invest in the "Mule" perk if you find the weight of the spade and your armor to be too much. The spade is a non-negotiable carry.
- Look for "Disturbed Earth" patterns while exploring. The game uses subtle visual cues rather than glowing icons. If a patch of dirt looks different than the surrounding grass, use the spade.
- Keep a small blacksmith's repair kit on you. It works on the spade just as well as it works on your chest piece.
Having the right tool at the right time is the difference between a successful knight and a dead peasant. Don't let a simple piece of farm equipment be the reason you fail. Get the spade, keep it sharp, and keep digging.