Kingdom Two Crowns Hermits Guide: Unlock All Abilities

Managing your kingdom in Kingdom Two Crowns requires more than just archers and walls; it demands the strategic placement of unique specialists known as hermits. These NPCs provide game-changing upgrades to your structures, turning standard defenses into powerful assets that can mean the difference between a thriving realm and a fallen crown.

In this guide, we will break down the essential Kingdom Two Crowns hermits mechanics. Whether you are playing the base campaign or exploring the Norse Lands DLC, understanding how to utilize these characters effectively is the key to surviving the encroaching Greed.

Why Hermits Are Essential for Your Kingdom

Hermits are not just passive NPCs; they are the architects of your survival. Each hermit provides a specific upgrade to your buildings, such as converting towers into ballistae or creating bakeries to attract vagrants.

Why is this important? Because as your kingdom grows, the waves of Greed become increasingly difficult to repel. Relying on base-level towers will eventually lead to failure. By investing gems into these specialists, you gain unique tactical advantages—from area-of-effect damage to efficient troop recruitment—that allow you to push back against the darkness across multiple islands.

Understanding Hermit Mechanics and Logistics

Before you start recruiting, you need to understand the basic rules governing these characters. According to the official Kingdom Two Crowns Steam page, the game is built on a two-dimensional plane where positioning is everything.

Core Hermit Rules

• Unlock Cost: Each hermit requires a specific amount of gems to unlock from their cottage.
• Usage Fee: Once unlocked, you must pay one coin to have them ride your mount.
• Upgrade Fee: After arriving at a valid structure, you pay an additional coin cost to perform the upgrade.
• Safety: Hermits walk slowly and can be kidnapped by the Greed if left outside your walls.
• Persistence: If you lose your crown and reset, you can re-unlock previously purchased hermits at their cottages for a nominal fee of three coins.

Tip

Transporting Hermits When boarding the ship to travel between islands, your recruited hermits will automatically hop on board, saving you the trouble of manually transporting them.

Base Campaign Hermit Overview

In the original Kingdom Two Crowns campaign, there are five primary hermits. Each is found on a specific island and offers a distinct upgrade path for your towers.

Hermit Ability Comparison Table

Deep Dive: Top Tier Hermits to Prioritize

While all hermits have their place, some are significantly more effective than others. Based on community consensus and player experience, prioritizing the right ones will streamline your expansion.

The Bakery Hermit (The Recruiter)

The Bakery Hermit is arguably the most valuable NPC in the game. By converting a tower into a bakery, you create loaves of bread that draw vagrants from the woods to your center. This eliminates the need to constantly travel to distant camps, allowing you to build up your army quickly.

The Ballista Hermit (The Defender)

The Ballista Tower is a powerhouse. It fires large bolts that pierce through multiple enemies, making it ideal for taking down floaters and breeders. Community report: Always ensure your Ballista Tower is placed behind your front wall, as the builder manning it is vulnerable to being snatched by floaters.

The Stable Hermit (The Mount Manager)

The Stable Hermit allows you to keep all your unlocked mounts in one place. This is crucial for players who like to switch between the Griffin for defense and the Unicorn for income generation. It also reduces the cost of switching mounts, making it a highly efficient utility.

Norse Lands DLC: A New Perspective

The Norse Lands update introduced variations of these classic characters. It is important to note that Norse Lands content is distinct from the base game. For instance, the Fire Tower Hermit serves as a specialized version of the Ballista Hermit, dealing area-of-effect fire damage that excels at weakening large waves.

Norse Lands Hermit Differences

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced players run into issues with hermits. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

1. Leaving Hermits Unprotected: If you unlock a hermit outside your walls, get them on your mount immediately. They are slow and defenseless.
2. Over-recruiting Squires: Some players waste gems on the Knight Hermit when they already have enough squires from the town center. Focus on defensive towers like the Ballista or Fire Tower first.
3. Ignoring the Horn Hermit's Risk: Using the horn can backfire if your kingdom is too large, as your units will spend all their time running between walls rather than defending. Only use it during Blood Moons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I recover a lost hermit?

Yes, according to community reports, if a hermit is kidnapped, you can often recover them by destroying the cliff portal on the island where they were taken. If you lose your crown and the game resets, you can re-hire them at their original cottage for three coins.

Why won't my hermit upgrade the building?

Ensure you have upgraded the structure to the correct level (e.g., a tier 5 or 6 wall for the Horn Hermit). Also, ensure you have the required coins for the upgrade itself, separate from the hermit's hiring fee.

Are Kingdom Two Crowns hermits the same in every campaign?

No. While many share similar mechanics, their locations and specific roles can change between the base campaign, Dead Lands, and Norse Lands. Always check the specific island requirements for the version you are playing.

Which hermit is the most important for beginners?

The Bakery Hermit is generally recommended for beginners because it simplifies the recruitment process, allowing you to focus on building your economy and defenses without constantly worrying about finding new villagers.