He starts as a total prick. There’s really no other way to put it. When you first meet Lord Hans Capon in the upper castle of Rattay, he’s every spoiled, noble-born stereotype you’ve ever hated in an RPG. He’s arrogant. He mocks Henry’s peasant roots. He treats the protagonist like a literal dog. Most players spend the first few hours of Kingdom Come Deliverance just wishing they could punch him in his smug, aristocratic face.
But then, something happens.
Warhorse Studios did something brave with Hans Capon. They didn't make him a static quest-giver or a simple foil to Henry’s humble beginnings. Instead, they wrote a character arc that mirrors the player's own journey from a clumsy blacksmith’s son to a man of substance. By the time you’re riding toward the sunset at the end of the base game, Capon isn't just your lord. He’s your best friend. He is, quite honestly, the most human character in the entire game.
The Hunt That Changed Everything
The turning point for most players happens during the quest "The Hunt Begins." Up until this point, Hans has been nothing but an obstacle. He forces Henry into a duel, then a miserable hunting trip where he complains about the wine and the weather. He’s unbearable.
But then the Cumans show up.
When Hans gets himself captured, the dynamic shifts. Henry—a boy who probably hasn't even mastered a master strike yet—has to save a nobleman. This isn't just a plot device; it’s the moment the class barrier breaks. In the 15th-century Bohemian setting of Kingdom Come Deliverance, a peasant saving a lord is a massive deal. Hans, to his credit, doesn't stay ungrateful. He acknowledges the debt. He starts to see Henry as a person.
This isn't just "good writing." It’s historically grounded. In the medieval hierarchy, bonds of loyalty were forged in blood and shared trauma. Warhorse leans into this. They take these two young men, both of whom have lost their "old lives"—Henry his home in Skalitz, and Hans his carefree adolescence as he nears his majority—and binds them together through survival.
Beyond the Spoiled Noble Trope
It’s easy to write a "jerk with a heart of gold." It’s much harder to write a character like Hans Capon who maintains his noble vanity while becoming genuinely likable. Even after he and Henry become friends, Hans is still Hans. He’s still obsessed with girls, wine, and his own image. He still thinks he’s better than everyone else, but now, he includes Henry in that "everyone else."
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If you look at the "Next to Godliness" quest—arguably the funniest mission in the game—you see the layers. Getting drunk in a bathhouse with a nobleman shouldn't be a core memory in a grim historical RPG, yet it is. You’re sneaking into a cellar to steal wine because Hans is too hungover to do it himself. It’s ridiculous. It’s also deeply intimate. You see his insecurities. You see a young man who is terrified of the responsibility of ruling Rattay and would much rather spend his days chasing skirts and drinking ale.
He’s a kid. We forget that because of the period-accurate costumes and the formal language. Hans is just a teenager thrust into a position of power during a civil war.
The Amorous Adventures of Bold Sir Hans Capon
When the DLC for Hans was announced, some fans were skeptical. Did we really need a whole expansion dedicated to Hans trying to woo a butcher’s daughter? As it turns out, yes. We did.
The DLC, The Amorous Adventures of Bold Sir Hans Capon, doubles down on the "buddy comedy" energy. It highlights the absurdity of the chivalric code. Hans thinks he’s living in a courtly romance novel. In reality, he’s a bumbling youth who needs a peasant to help him read poetry from a bush. It’s a brilliant subversion of the "knight in shining armor" archetype.
What makes this work is the voice acting. Luke Dale, the actor behind Hans, brings a specific kind of "lovable rogue" energy that is hard to replicate. The way his voice cracks when he's nervous or the specific cadence of his condescending-but-playful insults makes the character feel alive. Most RPG characters are quest dispensers. Hans Capon feels like someone you’ve actually spent a Friday night with.
The Realism of Their Relationship
Let’s talk about the power dynamic. Many modern games try to ignore the social structures of their settings to make the protagonist feel "empowered." Kingdom Come Deliverance doesn't do that.
Even when they are best friends, Hans is still the Lord and Henry is still the servant. This creates a fascinating tension. Hans can get away with things Henry can’t. He can be reckless because his name protects him. Henry has to be the "straight man" to Hans’s chaotic energy. This isn't just fluff; it reflects the actual social history of the Holy Roman Empire. Friendship existed across class lines, but it was always colored by the reality of who owned the land.
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- Hans provides the political cover.
- Henry provides the muscle and common sense.
- Together, they represent the two sides of Bohemia: the struggling nobility and the rising commoner.
It’s a symbiotic relationship that feels earned. When you finally get that high-quality armor and start riding alongside him, you don't feel like his subordinate anymore. You feel like his partner.
Why Hans Matters for the Sequel
With the rumors and hype surrounding the future of the franchise, the fate of Hans Capon is a major talking point in the community. The ending of the first game leaves them on the road together. They are heading into the unknown, two friends on a diplomatic mission that is likely to go sideways immediately.
Fans aren't just invested in Henry’s quest for his father’s sword. They are invested in Hans’s growth. Will he become the ruler Rattay needs? Or will he succumb to the hedonism that nearly defined his youth?
The stakes are higher for Hans than they are for Henry in many ways. Henry is a soldier; his path is combat. Hans is a leader; his path is politics. In the brutal world of 1403, a weak leader is a dead leader. Seeing Hans transition from the "spoiled brat" of the Rattay archery range to a competent diplomat is the character arc we’re all actually waiting for.
Common Misconceptions About Hans
Some people skip the side quests. They play the main story, see Hans a few times, and decide he’s just an annoying NPC. That is a massive mistake.
If you don't do the bathhouse quests or the DLC, you miss 70% of his character development. You miss the moment he realizes that his status is a burden as much as a privilege. You miss the vulnerability. There's a specific dialogue path where he talks about his father, and you realize the kid is just trying to live up to a ghost. It’s a heavy realization that recontextualizes every annoying thing he’s ever said to you.
He’s not a villain. He’s not a hero. He’s a survivor with a fancy hat.
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Essential Steps for Your Next Playthrough
If you’re heading back into Bohemia or picking up the game for the first time, don't rush past the "annoying noble." The depth of Kingdom Come Deliverance is found in its relationships. To truly appreciate the story, you have to lean into the Hans Capon experience.
Prioritize the "Robber Baron" Questline
This is where the military bond is forged. Seeing Hans try to lead men—and seeing Henry help him navigate the tactical realities of a parley—is essential for understanding their mutual respect. It’s also one of the best examples of the game’s branching quest design.
Don't Rush "The Hunt"
Listen to the dialogue. Don't just run to the waypoints. The banter between Henry and Hans during the ride out to the woods sets the stage for everything that follows. It's the first time you see the cracks in his noble facade.
Interact With Him Outside of Quests
Sometimes, just finding him in the tavern or at the castle and seeing what he has to say provides flavor text that builds the world. He often comments on recent world events or Henry's reputation in a way that feels reactive and personal.
Complete "The Amorous Adventures" Before the Finale
While you can play the DLC whenever, it fits best narratively before the final ride. It serves as a "last hurrah" for their youth before the gravity of the ending sets in. It makes the final cutscene much more impactful.
The beauty of this character isn't that he changes into someone else. He doesn't suddenly become a stoic, perfect warrior. He remains a flamboyant, wine-loving, slightly arrogant noble. But he becomes your flamboyant, wine-loving noble. That’s the magic of the writing here. It respects the player's intelligence enough to let a character be flawed and lovable at the same time.
In a sea of generic RPG companions, Hans Capon stands out because he doesn't exist to serve the player. He exists to live in Bohemia, and we just happen to be the ones holding his coat while he gets into trouble. That’s why we love him. That’s why he is, and will always be, the standout star of the game.
To get the most out of your time in Rattay, stop looking at Hans as a quest marker. Start looking at him as the key to Henry’s humanity. The game is a historical simulation, sure, but it’s also a story about two guys trying to find their place in a world that’s currently on fire. Go buy him a drink at the Pirkstein. He’s earned it, and honestly, so have you.