Ethan Crossfield 
If you’ve been waiting on new content for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Warhorse Studios has unexpectedly delivered the first major DLC—Brushes With Death—along with update 1.3. The expansion centers on Master Wojta, a painter battling creative stagnation, and it also adds a long-requested customization option for shields.
What’s new in Brushes With Death
Warhorse Studios has launched Brushes With Death as the first major DLC for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, arriving earlier than originally planned. While the expansion was expected to land during the summer, the studio moved it forward, and the release also brings update 1.3.
At the heart of the DLC is a new protagonist: Master Wojta, an enigmatic painter whose creativity has stalled. The story draws players into his struggle to break free from an artistic block and create a masterpiece worthy of fame. Rather than functioning like a small add-on, Brushes With Death is built as a full narrative experience, with a questline designed to match the franchise’s strengths in mystery, inspiration, and historical storytelling.
Alongside the plot, the DLC introduces a feature players have wanted for some time: shield customization. Through Wojta’s storyline, players can personalize their shields using different colors, patterns, and emblems.
Who should play it—and what gameplay changes to expect
This DLC is aimed at players who want more than a short mission pack and prefer content that expands the game’s roleplay and narrative texture. Because Brushes With Death includes a dedicated questline and a new central figure, it’s positioned as an experience that continues the series’ emphasis on atmosphere and story-driven progression.
For gameplay customization, the shield system is a key draw, but it doesn’t appear all at once. Warhorse has indicated that the decorative options unlock progressively as players complete story missions, explore the world, and interact with key characters. That means your access to new shield looks is tied to engagement with the DLC’s content rather than being available immediately at launch.
What comes next after this first DLC
Brushes With Death is not the end of the roadmap. Warhorse has already confirmed two additional expansions are planned for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.
The next one, Legacy of the Forge, is set in Kutná Hora. The following expansion, Mysteria Ecclesiae, focuses on uncovering secrets connected to the Sedlec Monastery. Together, these announcements suggest Warhorse is planning to keep expanding the game’s historical scope and regional storytelling beyond the first DLC’s painter-centered narrative.
What players should know
- Brushes With Death is the first major DLC for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and launched earlier than expected.
- The DLC centers on Master Wojta, a painter dealing with creative stagnation, and includes a new questline.
- Shield customization is included, offering different colors, patterns, and emblems—but it unlocks as you progress through missions, exploration, and character interactions.
- Update 1.3 arrives alongside the DLC release.
| Content | Confirmed details from Warhorse |
|---|---|
| First major DLC | Brushes With Death; includes a new protagonist and narrative questline |
| New protagonist | Master Wojta, an enigmatic painter |
| Customization feature | Shield customization with colors, patterns, and emblems (unlocks progressively) |
| Release timing note | DLC launched earlier than originally scheduled; update 1.3 also released |
| Future expansions | Legacy of the Forge (Kutná Hora) and Mysteria Ecclesiae (Sedlec Monastery secrets) |
Expert View
Brushes With Death looks like the kind of first DLC that benefits RPG players who care about narrative immersion: it adds a new character-driven storyline and ties progression to tangible customization. The shield system, in particular, is likely to be the most immediately noticeable change, but the progressive unlock approach should keep it aligned with quest completion and exploration rather than feeling like a one-click cosmetic dump. Overall, the earlier-than-expected release—paired with update 1.3—signals that Warhorse is actively iterating, not just shipping content on a fixed schedule.
FAQ
Is Brushes With Death the first DLC for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II?
Yes. Warhorse Studios says Brushes With Death is the first major DLC for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.
Who is Master Wojta?
Master Wojta is the DLC’s new protagonist, an enigmatic painter who enlists the player’s help to overcome creative stagnation and create a masterpiece.
When do shield customization options become available?
The decorative shield options unlock progressively as players complete story missions, explore the world, and engage with key characters.
