Hard mode

Hard mode is assembled from shards: each one you switch on adds steps to the run's difficulty rating and applies its own penalty, and most level up for a harsher version of the same effect. Switch shards on below to see what a combination scores. The game files hold 17 shards: 8 Demon, 4 World, 5 Plan.

difficulty rating of 60 possible

0 of 17 shards on

Ferocious Claws

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 damage by 8%.

Tenacious Body

I shall adjust the balance of fate. The enemies will become more tenacious... Do you think you can handle it?

Increases enemy HP by 15%.

Protective Armor

As stages progress, enemies' Defense increases by 2.

Agile Claws

The enemies are evolving... Their movements are becoming sharper. This will be another trial, I suppose.

Increases enemy Move Speed and ATKSPD by 20% during combat.

Evil Energy

Damage taken by enemies in Super Armor state is reduced from 65% to 50%.

Combat Stance

All bosses attack more aggressively.

Festival of Blood

Enemies recover 15% HP when they attack the player. Mini Boss and Boss recover 6%.

False Vanguard

Mini bosses become stronger.

Decline

The blessing of recovery fades... but true strength is forged through trials.

HP recovery effects are reduced by 5%.

Severed Exchange

Increases merchant Barter by 20.

Rebellion of Machines

Increases trap damage by 100%.

Proliferation

The number of regular enemies appearing increases by 10%.

Dispossession

The flow of destiny is twisted... The gifts you will receive will appear in different forms.

The grade of tablets dropped by the boss is fixed to Uncommon.

Dizziness

The crossroads of choice become blurred... You will need to find your way with even fewer opportunities.

When selecting an artifact or tablet, the number of choices is reduced by 1.

Deterioration

HP Restored on Level Up attributes decrease by 10%.

Tension

Cannot use Potions during combat with Boss.

Heavy Heart

Something weighs heavily on your heart... You will have to carry that weight with you.

You will start the exploration with 'Heavy Heart', an artifact with no abilities that cannot be discarded.