Hardcore - Revision history

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2025-10-04T19:57:41Z

Text replacement - "(?m)^\s*=\s*([^=\n]+?)\s*=\s*$" to "== $1 =="

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:57, 4 October 2025
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	*Hardcore is set to return in Diablo III. Read what little has so far been revealed about it {{iw\|Hardcore in the D3 wiki}}.		*Hardcore is set to return in Diablo III. Read what little has so far been revealed about it {{iw\|Hardcore in the D3 wiki}}.
			== Limitations ==
	=Limitations=
	[[Image:Hardcore-creation.jpg\|frame]]In order to create a hardcore character, check the Hardcore box on the character creation screen.		[[Image:Hardcore-creation.jpg\|frame]]In order to create a hardcore character, check the Hardcore box on the character creation screen.

	Hardcore characters can never interact with softcore characters in any way. HC and SC chars can not join the same games, and the economies are kept entirely separate. There are separate ladders for HC and SC and, perhaps surprisingly, the top characters on the HC ladder are generally as high or higher level than SC chars, at least in the early rush to level 99. (This is partially because the experience penalty for dying at the highest levels is crippling enough to knock a softcore character out of the level 99 race, albeit not as permanently as it would a HC character.)		Hardcore characters can never interact with softcore characters in any way. HC and SC chars can not join the same games, and the economies are kept entirely separate. There are separate ladders for HC and SC and, perhaps surprisingly, the top characters on the HC ladder are generally as high or higher level than SC chars, at least in the early rush to level 99. (This is partially because the experience penalty for dying at the highest levels is crippling enough to knock a softcore character out of the level 99 race, albeit not as permanently as it would a HC character.)
			== Appearance ==
	=Appearance=

	[[Image:Hardcore-ghost1.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Dead HC character.]]Hardcore characters' names appear in red on Battle.net, and they are eligible to appear on the Hardcore ladder. Other than the name, HC chars are identical to normal characters. They do not have special character graphics or different item graphics; just red names in the chat channels.		[[Image:Hardcore-ghost1.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Dead HC character.]]Hardcore characters' names appear in red on Battle.net, and they are eligible to appear on the Hardcore ladder. Other than the name, HC chars are identical to normal characters. They do not have special character graphics or different item graphics; just red names in the chat channels.

	Dead hardcore characters are an interesting case, since they turn into ghosts. They remain in the character selection screen until deleted, but can not be played. If the dead character was created on one of the realms, that character can still be selected and used to log onto Battle.net, where they will appear as a ghost, just as in the character selection screen. They can not join or create games; just chat in the channels.		Dead hardcore characters are an interesting case, since they turn into ghosts. They remain in the character selection screen until deleted, but can not be played. If the dead character was created on one of the realms, that character can still be selected and used to log onto Battle.net, where they will appear as a ghost, just as in the character selection screen. They can not join or create games; just chat in the channels.
			== Hardcore Death ==

	=Hardcore Death=

	[[Image:Screenshot0113.jpg\|thumb\|350px\|Death comes to us all, eventually.]]When your hardcore character dies (and it will happen, sooner or later) you will see their corpse lying there, just as you do from a normal character death. The difference is that there is no option to restart in town. Instead the screen prompt says, "You have died. Press ESC to continue. Your deeds of valor will be remembered."		[[Image:Screenshot0113.jpg\|thumb\|350px\|Death comes to us all, eventually.]]When your hardcore character dies (and it will happen, sooner or later) you will see their corpse lying there, just as you do from a normal character death. The difference is that there is no option to restart in town. Instead the screen prompt says, "You have died. Press ESC to continue. Your deeds of valor will be remembered."
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	The danger, of course, is that knowing they can pick clean your corpse might spur maleovelent thoughts in the minds of some players. They might be tempted to try to PK you, or to monster trap your portal or waypoint while you are in town, etc. Beware of scammers! Tricky players sometimes pretend to be on your side against a PK, when they're secretly in league with the PK. They will try to get you to fight, or ask you to help them fight, while actually planning to get you killed by the PK so they can then loot your corpse and steal your items.		The danger, of course, is that knowing they can pick clean your corpse might spur maleovelent thoughts in the minds of some players. They might be tempted to try to PK you, or to monster trap your portal or waypoint while you are in town, etc. Beware of scammers! Tricky players sometimes pretend to be on your side against a PK, when they're secretly in league with the PK. They will try to get you to fight, or ask you to help them fight, while actually planning to get you killed by the PK so they can then loot your corpse and steal your items.
			== Official Disclaimer ==

	=Official Disclaimer=

	Blizzard North created a disclaimer players must agree to if they are going to play Hardcore, and while it's painful reading after a death to lag or a disconnect, it's a useful reminder of the stakes hardcore players are taking on.		Blizzard North created a disclaimer players must agree to if they are going to play Hardcore, and while it's painful reading after a death to lag or a disconnect, it's a useful reminder of the stakes hardcore players are taking on.

	:Note: Blizzard Entertainment is in no way responsible for your Hardcore character. If you choose to create and play a Hardcore character, you do so at your own risk. Blizzard is not responsible for the death and loss of your hardcore characters for any reason including Internet lag, bugs, Acts of God, your little sister, or any other reason whatsoever. Consult the End User License Agreement for more details. Blizzard will not, and does not have the capability to restore any deceased Hardcore characters. Don't even ask. La-la-la-la-la, we can't hear you...		:Note: Blizzard Entertainment is in no way responsible for your Hardcore character. If you choose to create and play a Hardcore character, you do so at your own risk. Blizzard is not responsible for the death and loss of your hardcore characters for any reason including Internet lag, bugs, Acts of God, your little sister, or any other reason whatsoever. Consult the End User License Agreement for more details. Blizzard will not, and does not have the capability to restore any deceased Hardcore characters. Don't even ask. La-la-la-la-la, we can't hear you...
			== Hardcore Titles ==

	=Hardcore Titles=

	Hardcore characters get different [[titles]] when they defeat the game on each difficulty level.		Hardcore characters get different [[titles]] when they defeat the game on each difficulty level.
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	* Nightmare Difficulty: Conqueror		* Nightmare Difficulty: Conqueror
	* Hell Difficulty: Guardian		* Hell Difficulty: Guardian
			== Hardcore Philosophy ==

	=Hardcore Philosophy=

	Playing Hardcore requires a different mindset and approach to the game. The monsters, items, skills, drop ratios, and everything else are just the same as always, but the penalty for death is absolute. Most Hardcore characters play a bit more cautiously, and this care is incorporated into the character build and equipment. Hardcore characters generally have many more hit points, worry more about their resistances, and have to sacrifice some killing power as a trade off.		Playing Hardcore requires a different mindset and approach to the game. The monsters, items, skills, drop ratios, and everything else are just the same as always, but the penalty for death is absolute. Most Hardcore characters play a bit more cautiously, and this care is incorporated into the character build and equipment. Hardcore characters generally have many more hit points, worry more about their resistances, and have to sacrifice some killing power as a trade off.
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	Hardcore players tend to be more meticulous and painstaking and precise, and if the prospect of adding up your total stats every time you find a new item, knowing where the break points are for your faster hit recovery, making sure that even your poison resistance is at a reasonable level, fills you with dread, then hardcore might not be for you.		Hardcore players tend to be more meticulous and painstaking and precise, and if the prospect of adding up your total stats every time you find a new item, knowing where the break points are for your faster hit recovery, making sure that even your poison resistance is at a reasonable level, fills you with dread, then hardcore might not be for you.
			== The Hardcore Graveyard ==
	=The Hardcore Graveyard=

	While Diablo III is going to introduce the {{iw\|Halls_of_the_Dead Halls of the Dead}}, an in-game UI feature that will display dead HC characters in an {{iw\|Armory Armory}} style display, there was no such feature in Diablo II. As a result, dead HC characters took up one of the eight character slots on a Battle.net account unless/until they were deleted. This forced players to delete dead characters eventually to clear our space, which could be a sentimental moment for a player.		While Diablo III is going to introduce the {{iw\|Halls_of_the_Dead Halls of the Dead}}, an in-game UI feature that will display dead HC characters in an {{iw\|Armory Armory}} style display, there was no such feature in Diablo II. As a result, dead HC characters took up one of the eight character slots on a Battle.net account unless/until they were deleted. This forced players to delete dead characters eventually to clear our space, which could be a sentimental moment for a player.
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	* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/537 Hardcore Graveyard forum].		* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/537 Hardcore Graveyard forum].
	* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?129-Hardcore-Graveyard Hardcore Graveyard screenshot gallery].		* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?129-Hardcore-Graveyard Hardcore Graveyard screenshot gallery].
			== Resources ==
	=Resources=
	* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30 Hardcore Diablo 2 Forum]		* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30 Hardcore Diablo 2 Forum]
	* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/537 Diablo 2 Hardcore Graveyard Image Gallery]		* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/537 Diablo 2 Hardcore Graveyard Image Gallery]

82.41.176.69 at 01:03, 20 March 2013

2013-03-20T01:03:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:03, 20 March 2013
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	[[Image:Hardcoredead.gif\|frame\|Ghost mode.]]		[[Image:Hardcoredead.gif\|frame\|Ghost mode.]]
	Hardcore is a game mode that was introduced to the Diablo franchise in ''Diablo II'' and which has since become emblematic of the series. It's been enabled in other RPGs as well, but is still unheard of in most titles and MMOs. Hardcore characters are identical to regular (~~softcore~~) characters in every way but one; when a hardcore character dies, that's it. There is no resurrection, no restarting in town. They're mortal, and are gone forever when they die, along with all the equipment they were using (barring "loot" by friends), everything in their inventory/cube/stash, etc.		Hardcore is a game mode that was introduced to the Diablo franchise in ''Diablo II'' and which has since become emblematic of the series. It's been enabled in other RPGs as well, but is still unheard of in most titles and MMOs.

			Hardcore characters are identical to [[normal]]/regular ("'''Softcore'''") characters in every way but one; when a hardcore character dies, that's it. There is no resurrection, no restarting in town. They're mortal, and are gone forever when they die, along with all the equipment they were using (barring "loot" by friends), everything in their inventory/cube/stash, etc.

	The game is identical when played Hardcore or Softcore; the monsters, items, skills, drop ratios, etc are all the same. The only change is the mortality of characters. To thrive at hardcore requires dedication and resilence, and successful hardcore players have a different mindset about the game.		The game is identical when played Hardcore or Softcore; the monsters, items, skills, drop ratios, etc are all the same. The only change is the mortality of characters. To thrive at hardcore requires dedication and resilence, and successful hardcore players have a different mindset about the game.
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	Many players find Hardcore far more exciting than regular, "death is just a minor setback" ''Diablo II'', but it's not for everyone. Most casual players don't try hardcore, at least not more than once, and people with a poor online connection, low game skill, or who don't react well to stress or high tension are not likely to take much enjoyment from it either.		Many players find Hardcore far more exciting than regular, "death is just a minor setback" ''Diablo II'', but it's not for everyone. Most casual players don't try hardcore, at least not more than once, and people with a poor online connection, low game skill, or who don't react well to stress or high tension are not likely to take much enjoyment from it either.

	* Hardcore is set to return in Diablo III. Read what little has so far been revealed about it {{iw\|Hardcore in the D3 wiki}}.		*Hardcore is set to return in Diablo III. Read what little has so far been revealed about it {{iw\|Hardcore in the D3 wiki}}.

	=Limitations=		=Limitations=

82.41.176.69: /* The Hardcore Graveyard */

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The Hardcore Graveyard

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 =The Hardcore Graveyard=
-No matter how careful and painstaking you are, disaster will strike sooner or later. There's a consolation prize, though; thanks to the [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/537 Hardcore Graveyard]. Dead characters can be immortalized there, with a screenshot and an appropriately categorized epitaph.
+While Diablo III is going to introduce the {{iw|Halls_of_the_Dead Halls of the Dead}}, an in-game UI feature that will display dead HC characters in an {{iw|Armory Armory}} style display, there was no such feature in Diablo II. As a result, dead HC characters took up one of the eight character slots on a Battle.net account unless/until they were deleted. This forced players to delete dead characters eventually to clear our space, which could be a sentimental moment for a player.
 =Resources=

82.41.176.69: /* The Hardcore Graveyard */

2011-08-15T00:39:00Z

The Hardcore Graveyard

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	=The Hardcore Graveyard=		=The Hardcore Graveyard=

	No matter how careful and painstaking you are, disaster will strike sooner or later. There's a consolation prize, though; thanks to the [http://~~www~~.~~diabloii~~.~~net~~/gallery/showgallery.php?cat~~=532~~ Hardcore Graveyard]. Dead characters can be immortalized there, with a screenshot and an appropriately categorized epitaph~~, as [http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=665388 explained here]~~.		No matter how careful and painstaking you are, disaster will strike sooner or later. There's a consolation prize, though; thanks to the [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/537 Hardcore Graveyard]. Dead characters can be immortalized there, with a screenshot and an appropriately categorized epitaph.

	=Resources=		=Resources=

82.41.176.69: Updating links

2011-08-15T00:36:04Z

Updating links

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	=Resources=		=Resources=
	* [http://~~forums~~.~~diii~~.~~net/forumdisplay.php?f=30 Hardcore D2 Forum]~~		* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30 Hardcore Diablo 2 Forum]
	* [http://forums~~.diii.net~~/forumdisplay.php?f=~~140~~ Hardcore D3 Forum]		* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/537 Diablo 2 Hardcore Graveyard Image Gallery]
	* [http://~~www~~.~~diii~~.~~net~~/gallery/showgallery.php?cat~~=532 D2~~ Hardcore Graveyard Image Gallery]

82.41.176.69: /* Muling and Redundancy */ too -> to

2011-05-06T19:59:21Z

Muling and Redundancy: too -> to

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:59, 6 May 2011
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	The real success for a hardcore player is to get one character up to a high enough level that they can start to do successful item finding runs. The loot from those runs, even if it's just Nightmare Mephisto, will add up and be useful to distribute to lower level characters. Eventually hardcore players will accumulate equipment equivalent in quality to softcore characters, but it's generally a wise idea not to put too many eggs in the same basket. The wise hardcore player spreads around his best items, charms, runes, etc. It's not smart to risk losing all your best gear on one character.		The real success for a hardcore player is to get one character up to a high enough level that they can start to do successful item finding runs. The loot from those runs, even if it's just Nightmare Mephisto, will add up and be useful to distribute to lower level characters. Eventually hardcore players will accumulate equipment equivalent in quality to softcore characters, but it's generally a wise idea not to put too many eggs in the same basket. The wise hardcore player spreads around his best items, charms, runes, etc. It's not smart to risk losing all your best gear on one character.

	Another useful technique is to maintain mules not only for high level gear, but for starting and mid-level equipment too. When playing hardcore you will wind up making a lot of new characters, and if you can stock the fresh meat with basic low level gear; some simple set and unique items to use early on, a decent weapon like Khalim's Will, low level charms ~~too~~ add elemental damage, something for life/mana leech, etc, it will really make a difference over the first 15-20 levels.		Another useful technique is to maintain mules not only for high level gear, but for starting and mid-level equipment too. When playing hardcore you will wind up making a lot of new characters, and if you can stock the fresh meat with basic low level gear; some simple set and unique items to use early on, a decent weapon like Khalim's Will, low level charms to add elemental damage, something for life/mana leech, etc, it will really make a difference over the first 15-20 levels.

	==Survival Tips==		==Survival Tips==

82.41.176.69: /* Requirements */ Requirements on making a hardcore character were removed in patch 1.13

2011-05-06T19:51:18Z

Requirements: Requirements on making a hardcore character were removed in patch 1.13

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	* Hardcore is set to return in Diablo III. Read what little has so far been revealed about it {{iw\|Hardcore in the D3 wiki}}.		* Hardcore is set to return in Diablo III. Read what little has so far been revealed about it {{iw\|Hardcore in the D3 wiki}}.

	=~~Requirements~~=		=Limitations=
			[[Image:Hardcore-creation.jpg\|frame]]In order to create a hardcore character, check the Hardcore box on the character creation screen.
	[[Image:Hardcore-creation.jpg\|frame]]In order to create a hardcore character, check the Hardcore box on the character creation screen. This option only becomes available once one of your characters has beaten the game on normal difficulty, (on that particular account, if you are playing Realm characters.) Beating the game means killing Diablo in D2C, or Baal in D2X. This requirement is annoying for Hardcore players on Battle.net who wish to start a new account to make more mules or more regular characters, and who don't want to waste time making a new character just to rush through the game on softcore first. A few hacks have been created that will instantly enable a new account to create hardcore characters, but as with all 3rd party programs, be very cautious who you download from and what you install, so you don't give your computer viruses, trojans, key loggers, etc.

	Hardcore characters can never interact with softcore characters in any way. HC and SC chars can not join the same games, and the economies are kept entirely separate. There are separate ladders for HC and SC, and perhaps surprisingly, the top characters on the HC ladder are generally as high or higher level than SC chars, at least in the early rush to level 99. (This is partially because the experience penalty for dying at the highest levels is crippling enough to knock a softcore character out of the level 99 race, albeit not as permanently as it would a HC character.)

			Hardcore characters can never interact with softcore characters in any way. HC and SC chars can not join the same games, and the economies are kept entirely separate. There are separate ladders for HC and SC and, perhaps surprisingly, the top characters on the HC ladder are generally as high or higher level than SC chars, at least in the early rush to level 99. (This is partially because the experience penalty for dying at the highest levels is crippling enough to knock a softcore character out of the level 99 race, albeit not as permanently as it would a HC character.)

	=Appearance=		=Appearance=

82.41.176.69 at 23:48, 11 August 2009

2009-08-11T23:48:22Z

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			[[Image:Hardcoredead.gif\|frame\|Ghost mode.]]
	Hardcore is a game mode that was introduced to the Diablo franchise in ''Diablo II'' and which has since become emblematic of the series. It's been enabled in other RPGs as well, but is still unheard of in most titles and MMOs. Hardcore characters are identical to regular (softcore) characters in every way but one; when a hardcore character dies, that's it. There is no resurrection, no restarting in town. They're mortal, and are gone forever when they die, along with all the equipment they were using (barring "loot" by friends), everything in their inventory/cube/stash, etc.		Hardcore is a game mode that was introduced to the Diablo franchise in ''Diablo II'' and which has since become emblematic of the series. It's been enabled in other RPGs as well, but is still unheard of in most titles and MMOs. Hardcore characters are identical to regular (softcore) characters in every way but one; when a hardcore character dies, that's it. There is no resurrection, no restarting in town. They're mortal, and are gone forever when they die, along with all the equipment they were using (barring "loot" by friends), everything in their inventory/cube/stash, etc.

82.41.176.69 at 23:05, 18 April 2009

2009-04-18T23:05:29Z

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	Many players find Hardcore far more exciting than regular, "death is just a minor setback" ''Diablo II'', but it's not for everyone. Most casual players don't try hardcore, at least not more than once, and people with a poor online connection, low game skill, or who don't react well to stress or high tension are not likely to take much enjoyment from it either.		Many players find Hardcore far more exciting than regular, "death is just a minor setback" ''Diablo II'', but it's not for everyone. Most casual players don't try hardcore, at least not more than once, and people with a poor online connection, low game skill, or who don't react well to stress or high tension are not likely to take much enjoyment from it either.

	* Hardcore is set to return in Diablo III. Read what little has so far been revealed about it {iw\|Hardcore in the D3 wiki}.		* Hardcore is set to return in Diablo III. Read what little has so far been revealed about it {{iw\|Hardcore in the D3 wiki}}.

	=Requirements=		=Requirements=

82.41.176.69 at 23:04, 18 April 2009

2009-04-18T23:04:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:04, 18 April 2009
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	Many players find Hardcore far more exciting than regular, "death is just a minor setback" ''Diablo II'', but it's not for everyone. Most casual players don't try hardcore, at least not more than once, and people with a poor online connection, low game skill, or who don't react well to stress or high tension are not likely to take much enjoyment from it either.		Many players find Hardcore far more exciting than regular, "death is just a minor setback" ''Diablo II'', but it's not for everyone. Most casual players don't try hardcore, at least not more than once, and people with a poor online connection, low game skill, or who don't react well to stress or high tension are not likely to take much enjoyment from it either.

			* Hardcore is set to return in Diablo III. Read what little has so far been revealed about it {iw\|Hardcore in the D3 wiki}.

	=Requirements=		=Requirements=

Hardcore - Revision history

Rushster: Text replacement - "(?m)^\s*=\s*([^=\n]+?)\s*=\s*$" to "== $1 =="

82.41.176.69 at 01:03, 20 March 2013

82.41.176.69: /* The Hardcore Graveyard */

82.41.176.69: /* The Hardcore Graveyard */

82.41.176.69: Updating links

82.41.176.69: /* Muling and Redundancy */ too -> to

82.41.176.69: /* Requirements */ Requirements on making a hardcore character were removed in patch 1.13

82.41.176.69 at 23:48, 11 August 2009

82.41.176.69 at 23:05, 18 April 2009

82.41.176.69 at 23:04, 18 April 2009

Rushster: Text replacement - "(?m)^\s=\s([^=\n]+?)\s=\s$" to "== $1 =="