After 21 months of development in Early Access, the long-awaited Hardcore Mode is finally ready! Hardcore mode will be unveiled on Friday, March 29th, 2024. It will be patched in the early morning hours (eastern time... probably a bit after midnight).
We wanted to be sure that the game was in a very stable state before revealing the high-stakes game mode where your hero may only die once! Just note that you should play at your own risk! If you have an unstable internet connection, hardcore mode is not a good choice for you! Our servers are about as reliable as it gets, so 99.99% of the time that should not be an issue! Players with older computers may choose to avoid it as well since client-side lag may also create problems.
Normal and hardcore modes are completely separate from each other. You can't even message players from the other mode! This is on purpose to create a completely separate realm, socially and economically. Hardcore mode has its own economy, bank, and leaderboard. This means that you cannot link items, send mail, or trade with players from a different mode. And after the auction house is introduced, you will not be able to acquire items from a different mode!
Note that the /players command will not be available in hardcore mode! This command will be phased out in normal mode when season 2 begins.
Just be aware that hardcore mode isn't for everyone! It's a mode for players that love to take risks! No guts, no glory! If you opt for hardcore mode, we suggest bringing a few friends along! Form alliances with players you trust since a lazy party member can cause an early demise!