Normal or hardcore?

[Josh]

I just got the game, I usually play games on higher difficulties straight out, is hardcore mode too hardcore for someone completely new? Advice appreciated. Thanks.

[Voidolt]

lol dude this game is hard af, just play on normal mode as first time

[Go0lden_Archer]

Not hard, but there are some features disabled in it without which it might be hard.
Theres crosshair with indicators of which side you are hitting that are disabled in hardcore.
Autosaving of any kind also, need to get used to sleeping/bathing/drinking saviour schnapps.
Doesn't show your location on map nor compass unless you're really close to something.

Things like this are what you ought to be getting used to, if they're fine for you, then hardcore with all traits. Game is easy af on normal too soon. In hardcore it takes a bit longer for it to become too easy)

[The Void Knight]

No Health, Stamina, Horse stamina and Enemy health (all in the bottom bars)
No Compass cardinals and shorter marker range
No Player Marker on the world map
No Fast Travel (moving without a horse in this mode is torture)
Harder (but realistic and fair) combat
Less food from pots (already cheaty but was a good way of dealing with hunger)
No tutorials (you gotta play the game normal first to learn everything)
Trading is harder (or at least is implied)

[Philippe_at_bay]

Hardcore is not really all that difficult. However, the combat system is unlike anything you are likely to have encountered before, and you're unlikely to have a clue as to what is going on the first couple of times out. Normal mode includes training wheels that will help you wrap your mind around how the system works, and you need to have seen those crutches in action or it may take you a really long and frustrating time to figure things out. Some people never get it even with the crutches.

[Marcos_DS]

Hardcore is ok if you already know the combat system, but if you really want to master combat (perfect blocks, combos etc) its much better if you start without hardcore. Once you have a good feeling for timing etc. in normal mode, you can do without those gui indicators. But getting there without the indicators is really hard.

[Noeat]

Originally posted by The Void Knight:

No Health, Stamina, Horse stamina and Enemy health (all in the bottom bars)
No Compass cardinals and shorter marker range
No Player Marker on the world map
No Fast Travel (moving without a horse in this mode is torture)
Harder (but realistic and fair) combat
Less food from pots (already cheaty but was a good way of dealing with hunger)
No tutorials (you gotta play the game normal first to learn everything)
Trading is harder (or at least is implied)

basic tutorials are there still

[PafunaMT]

If you're a first-timer, do the Normal mode first; you'll get used to the combat mechanics and timing of you're opponents, and you'll better understand just the routine of saving, moving, sleeping, map locations, etc. Just my 2 Groschen.

But, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, or a masochist, go nuts in Hardcore. Enjoy in any case.

[Yankijs]

I like every aspect of harcore mode, except the no-fast travel. The long horse rides from one side of the map to the other can get quite annoying

[White Knight]

There's nothing particularly hardcore about hardcore at all.

It makes good sense to get a feel for the map and terrain before you take on the whole game without a map. By the same token, having a green shield icon will really help the player understand what is being asked of them, because the game is not clear about it.

Hardcore is just organization, when to sleep, when to eat, etc.

[MeatShake]

I did hardcore first try it's not bad. I'm glad I did a lot of the stuff in normal seems stupid, like food pots just fully feeding you. I never get lost, I'm easily winning fights 1v4. I'm drowning in money.

Just don't act like you're a chad early, you'll reach chad status in due time.

[hobbicon]

I play on hardcore for my first playthrough. It's perfectly doable and a nice challenge.
But I wish I could buy a compass for like 1000 Groschen.