Hard mode
Hard mode in Sephiria is assembled from shards. Each shard you enable adds its listed steps to the difficulty rating and applies a specific penalty, and most can be leveled for a harsher version of the same effect. The game files currently hold 17 shards: 8 Demon, 4 World, 5 Plan. Effect numbers below are shown per level, so 5/10/20% means 5% at level 1 and 20% at level 3.
Increases enemy damage by 8/16/24/32/40/48/56%.
I shall lift the power that restrained the evil... Enemies will grow in their ferocity, but you too can become stronger in return.
Increases enemy HP by 15/25/35/45/55/65/75%.
I shall adjust the balance of fate. The enemies will become more tenacious... Do you think you can handle it?
As stages progress, enemies' Defense increases by 2/4/6.
Increases enemy Move Speed and ATKSPD by 20/35% during combat.
The enemies are evolving... Their movements are becoming sharper. This will be another trial, I suppose.
Damage taken by enemies in Super Armor state is reduced from 65% to 50%.
All bosses attack more aggressively.
Enemies recover 15% HP when they attack the player. Mini Boss and Boss recover 6%.
Mini bosses become stronger.
HP recovery effects are reduced by 5/10/20%.
The blessing of recovery fades... but true strength is forged through trials.
Increases merchant Barter by 20/40.
Increases trap damage by 100/200%.
The number of regular enemies appearing increases by 10/25%.
The grade of tablets dropped by the boss is fixed to Uncommon/Common.
The flow of destiny is twisted... The gifts you will receive will appear in different forms.
When selecting an artifact or tablet, the number of choices is reduced by 1/2.
The crossroads of choice become blurred... You will need to find your way with even fewer opportunities.
HP Restored on Level Up attributes decrease by 10/25/40/60%.
Cannot use Potions during combat with Boss.
You will start the exploration with 'Heavy Heart', an artifact with no abilities that cannot be discarded.
Something weighs heavily on your heart... You will have to carry that weight with you.