Hardcore Mode

Hardcore is a new character mode added in the 1.0.5 patch that can be selected when a new player is being created. Characters that are set in Hardcore mode are tinted purple. Created Hardcore characters cannot be changed back to Softcore. Once the player dies, everything in their inventory is dropped and as of the 1.0.6 patch/update, the character is deleted. They are given the basic starting equipment (Copper Shortsword, Copper Pickaxe, Copper Axe), and both health and mana are set to their defaults (Health:100 Mana:0). The Nature's Gift is useless in Hardcore due to the fact that your character is deleted if you die. From the time you die until the time you disconnect you will be a ghost, which is not visible to other players, provides no light, passes through walls, and cannot interact with anything. A Tombstone is dropped and inscribed with whatever message appears at the bottom of the screen when the player dies. For example "[Character Name] was eviscerated by Demon Eye." You can also edit the messages, like a Sign.

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Here is a list of tips for dealing with Hardcore Mode:
 * Dedicate a couple of chests to store some equipment to use, should you die. Typically you should include a melee weapon, some armor, a Grappling Hook, accessories, Healing, Shine and Ironskin Potions for most areas, plus appropriate potions for various regions. Stay light, though- you'll need the space to pick up your equipment and loot.
 * Put those chests somewhere safe. Goblin Armies, Eaters of Worlds, Blood Moons and Skeletons may trouble you post-death. Make sure you can still reach those chests without any equipment.
 * Don't take risks. Even if you're good with a wooden sword or bow, the night may simply overwhelm you. Similarly, don't make an extended visit to the Underworld without some Obsidian Skin Potions.
 * Get used to drinking extra potions and sacrificing more resources to get the job done. You'll really need the extra edge if you want to live, especially against bosses.
 * Be wary of long falls. They can be the downfall (pun intended) of many a careless adventurer in flaming armor.
 * Heal up early, even if it's inefficient. If you're likely to be killed by three more hits from the strongest local monsters or from lava, drink a Health Potion as soon as you get hit as you may be hit a second time before doing so. As of version 1.0.5 you can press 'H' to use a health potion, provided you have taken damage.
 * If you had a Magic Mirror when you died, you should use a Mana Crystal during the recovery trip. When you return to your equipment and pick it up, you'll be able to go home with the Magic Mirror so that you can reorganize your equipment in a safe place.
 * Use a Piggy Bank for storing loot more often while out and about. Items and money in a Piggy Bank will not be affected by your death. If you don't think you're not going to make it out of somewhere alive, salvage what you can by using a Piggy Bank. Since the character is deleted as of 1.0.6, any items put in a piggy bank cannot be retrieved since only the character who put the items in the bank may retrieve them, and that character is deleted on death.
 * Rely more on defense and health/mana regeneration than higher Life and Mana. Although Life and Mana Crystals can save your life or make things easier, they cannot be recovered if you die. At the same time, armor and health/mana regeneration can help make the most of what Life and Mana you do have.
 * Beds are not useless. You will still spawn at your bed if you've set it as your spawn point. Since a hardcore character is deleted on death, a bed is not as important, but still useful in that if you have a magic mirror, it will teleport you to your bed if it is set as your spawn point.
 * If all else fails, swallow your pride and Save & Exit. Be careful using it, for if you have items on the ground you *will* lose them permanently.

Bugs

 * It is possible to keep one item by "holding" it with your mouse. Just click on it as if you were to move it but do not place it.