Difficulty

The difficulty mode is a character setting selected during character creation, and only applies to the character being created. There are 3 different options. The difficulty mode of a character determines what happens upon their death. Once a character has been created, the difficulty cannot be changed.

There is also a choice between Normal and Expert mode. This similarly can't be changed, and applies to the world instead of the character.

Softcore mode
Softcore mode is the default gameplay mode, and the easiest. Characters will drop half of their money on death (rounded up), which can be retrieved, if the player chooses to do so. Softcore characters respawn immediately at their spawn point following death. In an Expert mode world, Softcore characters will drop 75% of their money.

Mediumcore mode
Mediumcore mode characters drop all of their items upon death, including money and ammo, which other players can then collect in multiplayer. Mediumcore characters still respawn at their spawn point following death.

Hardcore mode
Hardcore mode characters die permanently, and drop all of their items upon death, including money and ammo, which other players can then collect in multiplayer.

Death causes a Hardcore character to become a Ghost that can continue to observe the World but not affect it. Ghosts can fly, pass through walls, and continue to chat with other multiplayer users, but cannot interact with the environment in any way and cannot open a map. Other players are not able to see Ghosts.

Once a dead Hardcore character quits the current world, that character is permanently deleted. Items that the character placed in Chests will not be deleted, however items the character stored in Piggy Banks and Safes will be deleted.

Normal mode
This is the normal difficulty, as the name suggests. Nothing is changed in this mode.

Expert mode
Expert mode is designed for players who are very experienced with the game. Many things are changed to make the game harder, including more powerful enemies. As a special reward, bosses drop treasure bags which, in addition to the normal boss loot, also contain special items only available in expert mode. Several rare drops are also made slightly more common.

Tips

 * New players may want to use softcore mode characters until they become more familiar with the game.
 * Mediumcore characters may want to keep their second-best equipment in a chest in case of death.
 * Hardcore mode can be utilized to freely explore a map by dying and flying through the ground and sky as a Ghost.