Will Chivalry 2 be free?

No, Chivalry 2 is not a free-to-play game. It must be purchased to access the full game across all platforms. However, there have been some limited-time free access periods like free weekends and trials that gave players a chance to try the game out temporarily.

Chivalry 2 is a multiplayer medieval first-person slasher developed by Torn Banner Studios and published by Tripwire Interactive. It first released on June 8, 2021 for PC (via Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

The standard edition of Chivalry 2 retails for $39.99 USD on all platforms. There is also a Special Edition priced at $49.99 USD that includes some bonus in-game content. I‘ll provide an overview of these editions across platforms and assess whether Chivalry 2 is worth picking up at full price.

Free Trial Periods

While Chivalry 2 isn‘t free permanently, there have been some limited-time promotions that unlocked the game for free for a few days:

• Epic Games Store: Chivalry 2 was free to play from June 3-8, 2021 during its launch week on the Epic Games Store.
• Xbox: All Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members could play Chivalry 2 for free from December 8-11, 2022.
• PlayStation: PlayStation Plus members got access to a Chivalry 2 free trial weekend from December 9-12, 2022.

These free trial periods gave new players a chance to test out the game risk-free. But outside of occasional promotions like this, Chivalry 2 requires purchase. Cross-progression means any progress from free weekends carries over if you decide to buy.

Standard vs. Special Edition

The base Chivalry 2 Standard Edition includes the full multiplayer game with all of its game modes, maps, and eight playable classes. It retails for $39.99 USD on all platforms.

Meanwhile, the Chivalry 2 Special Edition sells for $49.99 USD. It contains the base game plus the following bonuses:

• 3 Epic Skins
• 1 Epic Banner, Frame, and Pendant
• 1 Epic Taunt
• 1 Additional Battlecry Voice Line

The Special Edition unlocks some premium cosmetic content that can help your character stand out. The skins, banners, taunts, and voice line have no impact on gameplay – it‘s just for aesthetics.

Overall, the Special Edition isn‘t essential but can be worth it if you really want to customize your knight from the start. Otherwise, the standard edition includes plenty of skins, options, and progression systems that you can unlock by playing.

Chivalry 2 Platforms & Crossplay

Chivalry 2 is available on these major platforms:

• PC: Epic Games Store, Steam (as of Nov 2022)
• PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
• Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

All of these platforms support crossplay together. This means you can play online with or against players on other platforms. For example, a PlayStation and Xbox player could compete in the same match.

On PC, Chivalry 2 is available on both Epic Games and Steam. There is cross-progression between the PC platforms – your unlocked items and progress carry over between them. You only need to buy one copy to play on both Epic and Steam.

How Does Chivalry 2 Perform on PC?

Chivalry 2‘s PC performance can vary quite a bit depending on your hardware. Here‘s a quick overview of how it runs on different setups:

Graphics Card	CPU	Target FPS & Settings @ 1080p
GTX 1060 / RX 580	Core i5 / Ryzen 5	60fps on High
GTX 1660 Ti	Core i7 / Ryzen 7	90fps on Epic
RTX 2070 Super	Core i7 / Ryzen 7	120+ fps on Epic
RTX 3080	Core i9 / Ryzen 9	144+ fps on Epic

You‘ll generally want a mid-range GPU like the GTX 1060 or RX 580 paired with a decent quad core CPU to run Chivalry 2 smoothly on high settings at 60fps. The game scales well to take advantage of stronger hardware too.

Chivalry 2 can easily get 100+ fps on high-end rigs while still looking great. The UE4 engine powering the game is well optimized. Support for DX12 helps utilization on modern hardware. Overall, the PC version runs nicely.

How Does Chivalry 2 Perform on Consoles?

Chivalry 2 aims for 1080p 60fps gameplay on PS4 and Xbox One. To maintain the target framerate during 64-player sieges, some graphical effects are reduced compared to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

On PS5 and XSX, Chivalry 2 has two graphics modes:

• 4K/60fps – Runs at a full 4K resolution while targeting 60fps. Uses dynamic resolution scaling to maintain performance.
• 1080p/120fps – Runs at a lower 1080p resolution but with a 120fps target framerate for ultra-smooth combat.

The 120fps mode is excellent for prioritizing responsiveness and fluidity. I highly recommend it if you have a compatible 120Hz display. Overall, the console ports offer a great Chivalry 2 experience across generations.

Top Game Modes

Chivalry 2 shines in large-scale 64-player battles across its multiplayer game modes. Here are some of the most popular and recommended modes:

• Team Objective – Attack and defend objectives in an epic staged battle. Combines all game modes together in one long match. Great way to experience everything.
• Team Deathmatch – Straight up 64-player brawl. Fast respawns and intense action.
• Last Team Standing – Elimination-style 3v3 or 6v6 skirmishes. More tactical, no respawns.
• Free-for-All – Mass 1v1v1v1… chaos. Test your skills in 8-player FFA duels.

And for those looking for some PvE, the new "The Last Stand" mode has 1-4 players defend against waves of AI enemies. It‘s great casual co-op fun.

Overall, Team Objective is my favorite way to play for the epic medieval war experience. But you can‘t go wrong jumping into any high population server.

Most Popular Weapons

Chivalry 2 gives you access to 14 unique weapon types across 4 categories – Knights, Footmen, Vanguard, Archers. Some of the most used and powerful weapons include:

One-handed weapons

• Longsword – Jack of all trades primary weapon, great combos
• Messer – Devastating slash damage but slower
• War Axe – Strong against Knights, good throwing capacity

Two-handed weapons

• Greatsword – Massive damage and wide arc for crowds
• Polehammer – Versatile with great armor penetration
• Spear – Excellent range and speed, good in duels

Polearms

• Halberd – Sweeping heavy damage and long reach
• Glaive – Good slashes and thrusting combos

For new players, versatile weapons like the Longsword, Spear, and Polehammer are great to start with. Their balance makes them forgiving as you learn. But once you master swing manipulation, the heavier Greatsword and Messer become incredibly deadly.

Best Player Classes

Chivalry 2 has 8 playable classes, each with their own strengths and preferred weapons:

• Vanguard – Strong, durable, great AoE attacks
• Knight – Heavily armored, excellent in chokepoints
• Footman – Versatile fighter good at clearing objectives
• Man-at-Arms – Quick and disruptive ambusher
• Archer – Deadly ranged support
• Crossbowman – Anti-armor bolts and traps
• Field Engineer – constructs defenses and ballista
• Officer – Aura buffs and banners to rally allies

For new players, I recommend the Vanguard. His balanced stats, mid-range weapons, and strong abilities give you versatility. Excellent mobility with leaping attacks makes the Vanguard great for outmaneuvering groups.

Veterans seeking a greater challenge may enjoy the Knight. He requires mastering your defenses with blocks, counters, and ripostes to overcome his slower speed. But an unstoppable juggernaut in the right hands.

Combat Tips for Beginners

Mastering Chivalry 2‘s melee combat system takes time, but here are some tips to help you improve as a beginner:

• Try all weapon types – Get a feel for different reach, speed, damage values. Find one that clicks with your playstyle.
• Focus on blocking – Keep that right mouse button held down! Once you can reliably block, start working in parries, counters and ripostes.
• Target archers – Take them out before they take you out from afar. They‘re often away from the main fight.
• Use kick and jab – These quick attacks interrupt enemies and drain stamina. Great when outnumbered.
• Play objectives – Don‘t just chase kills. Coordinate with teammates to complete objectives and win matches.
• Third-person view – Try switching to third-person for better spatial awareness as you‘re learning.
• Duel servers – Search these custom servers to practice 1v1 combat against others.

Stick with it through the initial learning phase. With experience under your belt, Chivalry 2‘s combat system opens up into an immensely satisfying medieval melee simulator.

Is Chivalry 2 Worth Buying?

For multiplayer fans seeking intense, large-scale medieval warfare filled with bloody combat, absolutely. Its 64-player battles capture the chaos and grit of medieval battlefields beautifully.

Underneath the gore lies an intricate and high skill-ceiling combat system that takes dedication to master. Each weapon type requires tailoring your own playstyle. No other multiplayer game delivers sword-swinging melee on such an epic scale.

With extensive post-launch support adding new maps, modes and content, Chivalry 2 has fantastic long-term gameplay value. And options like crossplay and cross-progression allow you to play with friends easily across platforms.

If you can look past the initial learning curve, Chivalry 2 offers an immensely rewarding and unique multiplayer experience. I highly recommend giving it a shot during a free weekend and seeing how you enjoy cleaving skulls!