Which difficulty should I play this on?

[TheDance]

I'm looking for the most enjoyment out of this game. I like games with a challenge like Bloodborne but I don't like games with artificial difficulty increases. Gimmicks like Nier 1's hard mode that simply increase the boss hp to ridiculous levels where it would take half an hour to wittle them down. Or damage increases where everything will send you reeling by just two-shotting you.

[Sugoi]

You probably don't want to play on Nightmare to start with, but you might enjoy it for NG+. I'd start with Hard.

[Gin-chan]

Normal is too easy. I'd say go with hard. It gives just the right amount of challenge needed.

[✨Nutkun7993✨]

Difficulty is subjective matter and mostly depends on a player. You can try normal first to see whatever they're for you or not, you then can change the difficulty within in-game progress based on your preference but not the calamity difficulty.

[Arawn]

Don't do Calamity on your first try, unless you have time to waste. I did that couple with a no KO/retry challenge, and I gotta say, it's hell. Start with any as you can change it later, but you won't be able to switch on Calamity mode.

[Zergem]

I'd say start on hard. You can change the difficulty at any time later.

[Play Metaphor]

Originally posted by Shiroux:

Don't do Calamity on your first try, unless you have time to waste. I did that couple with a no KO/retry challenge, and I gotta say, it's hell. Start with any as you can change it later, but you won't be able to switch on Calamity mode.

Time enjoyed is not wasted time when it comes to video games.

Go Calamity, the first bosses will be hard but afterwards it gets normal, unless you're not paying attention.

[zaphod]

Difficulty does not change the bosses tactics, as far as I know. So all the difficulty increase does is make bosses more tanky, and make them hit harder. Artificial increases.

I started on normal. The first boss is only cake if you can time ex dodges against everything. I was unable to find a cue i could reliably react to in time, and had to resort to just backing FAR away (it IS possible to outrange those giant shockwaves) The wind up being so damned slow messed with me.

Other bosses mostly only killed me until i figured out their tactics, and the easiest way to counter them. Practice made perfect. But that damn Mist Witch was HORRIBLE, and i had to spam a lot of healing and res items to beat that sucker, because i couldn't figure out a reliable way to dodge all the attacks, especially with the damn clones splitting up and attacking from offscreen. The shio and mitsu sidestory was really cheap too, with the ambush rooms spawning enemies BEHIND you to shoot you in the back. it's the only side story i had to use healing items to beat. NO matter how carefully i advanced, the three ambush rooms hosed me.

Now i'm after the second white shroud side story, and have yet to see anything as cheap. but i haven't beat the game yet.

[RexEviL]

Only difference is they hit harder and have more health. Nothing else.
On Calamity you need to master to dodge to get 3% gauge.
There is healing element, just equip it on your 3 characters and don't forget It works in support as well.

[Stabbey]

Does difficulty increase the number of points needed to get high ranks?

[Avarice]

Originally posted by Stabbey:

Does difficulty increase the number of points needed to get high ranks?

The point requirements for dungeon ranks should be the same on all the difficulties, but because higher difficulties increase enemy HP and damage, it becomes harder to get the full bonus for time/enemies killed/damage taken, so even though you need the same score for an S, it's somewhat (though not significantly) harder to get said score the higher in difficulty you go.

[RexEviL]

Originally posted by Stabbey:

Does difficulty increase the number of points needed to get high ranks?

Well, since they hit harder you have 2 options to get S rank.
1- Dodge Everything get low damage.
2- Ignore about damage and get Fast Time.
Regardless of both option you should always
- Destroy all boxes
- Open All treasure boxes
- Try to do elemental kills
- Get 100 or 200 combo.

[zaphod]

also, if the boss is easy, feel free to use ex drives when needed to beat levels faster and with less damage. There is no rank for boss battles. So when redoing an eclipse you have beaten for the s rank, make a filler attempt on something easy to charge up, then make the real attempt and abuse the special attacks.

[mad_le_zisell]

Lowest possible. It saves you A LOT time from useless and merciless grinding and lets you enjoy the plot to the fullest.

[Flariz]

I recommend Calamity, its challenging enough to be fun without being frustrating. Probably even easier if you use items (I dont use Items at all).

Very very possible even from a fresh New Game file. It will be quite mean at first, for the first 1-2 chapters in particular when you are learning the game. But its worth it IMO.

Bosses die waaaaay too fast on anything below Calamity if you know how the game works even decently well.

[Kyo Ce'pear]

I just started and am having fun but these bosses are tough for me on normal starting out.