Hardcore mode

Hardcore mode is one of three difficulty modes available at character creation. Setting this option for a character gives a much greater penalty upon their Death: If the character dies, the character will be deleted. Apart from this, a hardcore character is the exact same as any other character.

Hardcore mode is enabled on a per-character basis only, and does not affect the World. Therefore you can have both Hardcore and Mediumcore/Softcore characters in the same server and/or world.

When a Hardcore character dies, a Tombstone is dropped at the location of their death. (As of 1.1 it seems any difficulty level character will) It is inscribed, much in the way the Sign functions, with how the character met his/her demise. Being affected by physics, it is possible for the Tombstone to "roll" after character death if the character was moving at the time. If the Tombstone hits an enemy while rolling, it will do 99 damage to each enemy it hits, killing most enemies on contact.

A Ghost sprite replaces dead Hardcore characters until they exit to the main menu (upon which the character will be deleted). Ghosts can fly, pass through walls, observe and continue to chat with other multiplayer users, but can not interact with the environment in any way.

Although the character is deleted upon death, the world is persistent. Any items the character kept in their inventory, including Heart and Mana Crystals, will be dropped, making it possible to recollect any items if another player is quick enough. Items kept in Chests will also not be deleted. However, character-specific items, Piggy Banks and Safes, will be deleted.