Chivalry 2 Is Free on Epic Games Store Right Now – Claim It Before It’s Gone

Start your 2026 gaming year with some medieval mayhem. Chivalry 2, the brutal first-person slasher that throws 64 players into epic sword-clashing battles, is currently free on the Epic Games Store until January 1, 2026, at 11 AM EST. That means you have roughly 24 hours from December 31 to grab this $39.99 game without spending a dime. And yes, once you claim it, it’s yours to keep forever.

What Is Chivalry 2?

If you’ve ever watched Game of Thrones’ Battle of the Bastards and thought “I want to be in that chaos,” Chivalry 2 is your game. Developed by Torn Banner Studios and published by Tripwire, the game launched in June 2021 as a massive upgrade to the original Chivalry. It’s a multiplayer first-person slasher inspired by epic medieval movie battles, where you’ll experience clashing swords, flaming arrow barrages, sprawling castle sieges, and more barbaric violence than you can shake a Goedendag at.

The game earned a stellar 91% score from PC Gamer, who called it “equally about martial arts mastery and roleplaying as a Middle Ages buffoon.” That perfectly captures Chivalry 2’s unique appeal. One moment you’re executing a perfectly timed parry and riposte combo, the next you’re throwing your sword at someone’s face because why not, then picking up a chicken to use as a weapon because the game absolutely lets you do that.

The 64-Player Carnage Experience

What sets Chivalry 2 apart from other medieval combat games is its sheer scale. Matches support up to 64 players simultaneously, creating wonderfully chaotic battlefields where strategies dissolve into glorious melee brawls. Picture this: 64 players fighting on a narrow bridge while some tactical genius hangs back lobbing arrows into the crowd. It’s beautiful pandemonium.

The game features four distinct classes – Knight, Footman, Vanguard, and Archer – each with multiple subclasses offering different playstyles. Want to be a heavily armored juggernaut soaking damage? Roll Knight. Prefer flanking enemies and causing chaos? Vanguard’s your class. Feel like being universally hated by everyone? Pick Archer and sit on a wall raining arrows down on friend and foe alike.

Why This Deal Matters Now

This isn’t actually the first time Chivalry 2 has been free on Epic Games Store. The game was previously given away in May 2024, leading some veterans to note it’s already sitting in their library gathering digital dust. However, for anyone who missed that window or only recently built a gaming PC, this is your second chance to grab one of the best medieval multiplayer experiences available.

The timing is particularly good because free game giveaways always trigger massive player count spikes. According to SteamCharts data, Chivalry 2 maintains a healthy average of around 1,800-2,000 concurrent players on Steam alone during normal months. When free weekends or Epic giveaways happen, those numbers explode, creating the perfect opportunity for new players to jump in without facing exclusively seasoned veterans who can decapitate you with their eyes closed.

Is The Game Still Alive?

Some players worry about jumping into older multiplayer games, but Chivalry 2 remains very much alive despite entering “maintenance mode” in July 2024. When developer Torn Banner announced the game was content complete after its 11th major update (Regicide), some fans panicked. But maintenance mode doesn’t mean dead, it means finished. The servers still run, matchmaking still works, and you’ll have no trouble finding full 64-player lobbies, especially during prime evening hours.

The game also benefits from full cross-platform play across PC (Steam and Epic), PlayStation, and Xbox. That unified player pool keeps queues short and matches populated. During off-hours, you might occasionally see 40-player matches instead of the full 64, but that’s still plenty of chaos to go around.

What Content Did The Final Update Add?

The Regicide update that marked Chivalry 2’s content completion added some substantial final touches. The centerpiece was Regicide at Trayan Citadel, a massive Team Objective map where the Agathian army assaults the Mason Order’s stronghold in an epic multi-stage battle culminating in a clash between kings. Think storming castle walls, escorting battering rams, and ultimately fighting your way to regicide, the killing of a monarch.

The update also introduced the Goedendag, a versatile polearm that’s essentially a medieval war club with a spike. In real medieval warfare, the Goedendag was famous for being able to both bludgeon armored knights and stab unarmored infantry, making it terrifyingly effective in the right hands. Chivalry 2’s version captures that versatility, giving players a satisfying new toy to master.

How Does Combat Actually Work?

Chivalry 2’s combat system is deeper than it first appears. The basic controls are simple – different mouse movements create different attack angles, blocking is straightforward, and special abilities are hotkeyed. But mastering the game requires understanding timing, stamina management, ripostes, counters, feints, and proper spacing.

A riposte, for example, lets you attack immediately after a successful block, bypassing the normal attack windup time. This creates a rock-paper-scissors dynamic where blocking beats attacks, feints beat blocks (by making opponents waste their block), and ripostes beat feints. Throw in the ability to chamber attacks (matching your opponent’s attack angle to deflect it while simultaneously attacking), and you’ve got surprising tactical depth.

But here’s the beautiful thing about Chivalry 2: you don’t need to master all that complexity to have fun. Running into battle screaming voice lines while wildly swinging a battle axe is a completely valid strategy that will absolutely get kills. The game rewards both skilled dueling and chaotic brawling in equal measure.

The Voice Lines Are Comedy Gold

One of Chivalry 2’s most beloved features is its extensive voice command system. You can taunt enemies, rally allies, call for help, laugh maniacally, apologize for accidentally killing teammates (it happens a lot), and even quote Shakespeare mid-battle. The pre-recorded voice lines range from genuinely useful tactical callouts to absolute nonsense designed purely for entertainment.

Nothing quite captures the medieval combat experience like stabbing someone, pressing the laugh key, and hearing your character cackle like a madman. Or apologizing profusely after accidentally decapitating a friendly knight who walked into your swing. The voice lines add personality and humor that prevents the game from taking itself too seriously despite its gory violence.

Performance and System Requirements

Chivalry 2 runs on Unreal Engine 4 and is generally well-optimized. The minimum specs call for an Intel Core i3-4370 or AMD FX-8350 processor, 8GB RAM, and an Nvidia GTX 660 or AMD R9 370 graphics card. Those are fairly modest requirements that most gaming PCs from the last several years can handle.

For recommended specs, you’re looking at an Intel i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600, 16GB RAM, and an Nvidia GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580. At these specs, you should maintain solid framerates even during chaotic 64-player battles. The game does have occasional performance hiccups when dozens of players cluster in tight spaces, but nothing game-breaking.

How Does It Compare to Mordhau?

The inevitable comparison is to Mordhau, Chivalry 2’s main competitor in the medieval multiplayer slasher genre. Both games scratch similar itches but with different philosophies. Mordhau emphasizes competitive skill with more complex combat mechanics, customizable loadouts, and a somewhat steeper learning curve. It’s the game for players who want to master medieval combat as a competitive discipline.

Chivalry 2, meanwhile, prioritizes spectacle and accessibility. The combat is slightly more forgiving, the Team Objective maps feel more cinematic with their multi-stage narratives, and the overall tone leans into medieval movie bombast. Think of Mordhau as the competitive esports approach, while Chivalry 2 is the blockbuster action movie approach. Both are excellent, they just target different tastes.

What Game Modes Can You Play?

Chivalry 2 offers several distinct game modes beyond the signature Team Objective maps. Team Deathmatch is exactly what it sounds like – two teams fighting to reach the kill limit first. Free-For-All throws everyone into a chaotic brawl where alliances don’t exist and backstabbing is not just acceptable but encouraged.

The real star, however, is Team Objective mode. These are narrative-driven maps where attackers must complete sequential objectives while defenders try to stop them. One map might have you storming a beach, pushing catapults up to castle walls, breaching the gates, and finally killing the enemy king. Another sends you raiding a village, burning houses, stealing gold, and escaping before reinforcements arrive. These multi-stage battles create memorable moments that pure deathmatch can’t match.

The Customization System

Chivalry 2 includes deep customization options for personalizing your medieval warrior. You can customize armor pieces, heraldry, patterns, colors, and even choose between different helmet designs with varying levels of visibility versus protection. Want to look like a regal knight in shining armor? Go for it. Prefer the intimidating look of blackened plate with a skull-faced helmet? That works too.

The game also features weapon skins and special cosmetics earned through gameplay or purchased in the in-game store. While there are microtransactions, they’re purely cosmetic and don’t create any pay-to-win scenarios. You can’t buy better stats or exclusive weapons, just fancier ways to look good while getting your head chopped off.

How Long Until The Offer Ends?

You have until January 1, 2026, at 11 AM Eastern Standard Time (8 AM Pacific, 4 PM GMT) to claim Chivalry 2 for free. That’s roughly 24 hours from December 31, 2025, when the offer went live. Missing this window means waiting for another sale or paying the full $39.99 price tag.

The claim process is simple. Head to the Epic Games Store, make sure you’re logged into your account (create one if you don’t have it), navigate to Chivalry 2’s page, and hit the “Get” button. Once claimed, the game is permanently added to your library. You don’t need to install it immediately; you can download and play it whenever you want in the future.

FAQs

How long is Chivalry 2 free on Epic Games Store?

Chivalry 2 is free until January 1, 2026, at 11 AM EST (8 AM PST, 4 PM GMT). You have approximately 24 hours from December 31 to claim the game before the offer expires.

Is Chivalry 2 free to keep forever?

Yes, once you claim Chivalry 2 from the Epic Games Store during the promotional period, it’s permanently added to your library. You own it forever and can download/play it anytime, even after the promotion ends.

How many people still play Chivalry 2?

Chivalry 2 maintains around 1,800-2,800 concurrent players on Steam alone during normal periods, with spikes during free weekends and giveaways. Cross-platform play with PlayStation and Xbox ensures healthy player counts across all platforms.

Is Chivalry 2 still getting updates?

As of July 2024, Chivalry 2 entered maintenance mode, meaning no new content updates are planned. However, servers remain active, matchmaking works perfectly, and the game is considered “content complete” rather than abandoned.

Has Chivalry 2 been free before?

Yes, Chivalry 2 was previously given away for free on Epic Games Store in May 2024. This is the second time it’s been offered for free, giving players who missed the first opportunity another chance to claim it.

Do I need Epic Games launcher to play?

Yes, if you claim Chivalry 2 from the Epic Games Store, you’ll need the Epic Games launcher installed to download and play it. The game is also available on Steam, but the free promotion is Epic-exclusive.

Is Chivalry 2 cross-platform?

Yes, Chivalry 2 supports full cross-platform play between PC (Steam and Epic), PlayStation, and Xbox. This unified player pool ensures you’ll always find populated matches regardless of platform.

What’s better, Chivalry 2 or Mordhau?

Both are excellent medieval slashers with different strengths. Mordhau emphasizes competitive skill with more complex mechanics, while Chivalry 2 prioritizes cinematic spectacle and accessibility. It comes down to whether you prefer competitive depth or blockbuster action.

Can I run Chivalry 2 on my PC?

Minimum specs require an Intel i3-4370 or AMD FX-8350, 8GB RAM, and Nvidia GTX 660 or AMD R9 370. Recommended specs are Intel i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600, 16GB RAM, and Nvidia GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580.

Conclusion

Chivalry 2 being free on Epic Games Store is an offer worth claiming even if you’re not sure you’ll play it immediately. This is a $40 game that delivers genuinely unique multiplayer experiences you won’t find elsewhere. The combination of 64-player chaos, satisfying melee combat, ridiculous voice lines, and cinematic Team Objective maps creates moments of absurd comedy and legitimate tactical satisfaction in equal measure. Yes, the game is in maintenance mode now, but that just means it’s a complete package with three years of post-launch content already included. The player base remains healthy, matchmaking is quick, and free giveaways like this inject fresh blood into the community. Whether you’re a hardcore combat sim enthusiast or just someone who wants to bonk people with chickens in a medieval setting, Chivalry 2 has something for you. Don’t let this 24-hour window close without grabbing it.