How to Learn the Master Strike in KCD2 (Tomcat)

Where to learn it

After the prologue, a beggar named Bara in Troskowitz calls you over and points you toward a swordsman who can teach “a new trick.” That starts the Combat Training side quest line, which leads you west of the village — past Herbwoman Bozhena’s hut — to the Nomad Camp, where Master Tomcat runs drills.

• Combat Training I teaches stances, strikes, and combos.
• Combat Training II is the real lesson, and it is gated behind a duel against Tomcat. Win (or just survive) it and he teaches you the Master Strike. Tomcat hits hard for an early-game Henry, so most players come back once Strength and Sword skill have caught up. You do not need to beat him cleanly to learn the move — finishing the duel is what matters.

How the timing works

The Master Strike is easy to confuse with the perfect block, but they are different inputs:

• Perfect Block — tap block as the green shield flashes. Free, no stamina cost, no damage. Defensive baseline.
• Riposte — after a perfect block, press attack. Only stoppable by another perfect block.
• Master Strike — hold your guard in the opposite direction to the enemy’s weapon, then press attack the instant the green shield appears. Henry deflects along his crossguard and lands a free hit. It cannot be blocked. The trick is the opposite guard. If the enemy attacks from your left, you load your guard to your right and strike as the green shield lights. Doing it correctly means you never take the hit and you always get the counter.

What it is not

It is not a button you hold. It is not available from Captain Bernard’s basic drills (that is the prologue tutorial). And it is not a permanent answer — later enemies feint more, so the Master Strike becomes one tool among several rather than a win button. Pair it with stamina management and you can outlast enemies who outgear you. If you are planning a focused warrior run, the builds guide explains where the Sword and Warfare perks fit around it.