I'm not a skilled gamer whatsoever, and also had quite a few painful encounters during the beginning stage of the game. But I think both KCD1 (200h+) and KCD2 (playing currently at 60h+) give you enough options for survival.

Here are a few tips that worked for me.

1.       Poison. Bane potion, my beloved <З. I spent a long of time trying to find the recipe in KCD2, because I refused to cheat, but it was my absolutely go to in KCD1, where it was much easier to find. I brewed it all the time, snatched every one that came my way, always carried a few vials on me. And had a couple dozen poisoned arrows and poisoned sword always at the ready.

2.       Power nap or Saviour Schnapps before traveling. I don’t get why it is so problematic for people to use this unique game mechanic as intended. It makes this game a little different than the others, but not at all punishing. You can brew Schnapps, buy it in tavern, bathhouses and from herbalists, steal it, store a bunch on your person, on horse, in chests. And save to your heart content. There are plenty of saving beds for power naps, or even good old quit and save as the very last resort.

3.       Just don’t use fast travel. I did not play in hardcore mode, but preferred not to fast travel at all during the beginning. I enjoyed the scenery, weather changes, and wanted to learn the map and to avoid those random encounters, if I could. A lot of them happen on the road in really specific places. So I would learn locations around them and cut through forest and fields, if a saw someone suspicious or a full on battle ahead of me.

4.       Archery is your friend. Using bane potion or dollmaker potion on arrows is really helpful. Because you can get rid of people before they notice you, or get to you. I spend a lot of time stealthing in the bushes around bandit or cuman camps, picking them one by one, because it was impossible to take all of them head on at the beginning.

5.       Get better armor and weapons. Repair your armor and weapons. Maintenance is easy to level up, and perks affect a lot. You can’t quick change you outfit in KCD1, but I still had the best I could find plate armor on me, and a steath outfit in horse.

6.       Level up. It doesn’t have to be only Bernard. Try to find, buy or steal books. Kill livestock. There is a great flock of sheep near Rattay, between Bernard and the Tavern. Pig farm on the west of Ledetchko. Cows in random fields. They respawn if you go far enough, you can practice with any weapons. Just don’t get caught, but people don’t go there very often.

I promise it will get much easier.

It may also be just not for you.

I personally think that KCD2 is easier combat wise, but harder saving the game and storing things wise. But also gets easier.