Pure strategy vs Normal

[MadMike]

We get different rewards? better for pure strategy?

[Softspokenman]

normal survival will give better rewards and drops hardcore will make drops even better so will mixed mode but mixed mode the gain is so little compared to the jump it difficulty its not worth it imo

[Tydo]

The drops are terrible compared to survival. Of course it is also terribly easier. And the xp is much worse.
If you are looking for xp and items, then it is not the optimal choice.
Even a map such as Tavern Defense, on NM purestrat, the drops are awful. Insane survival (HC or not) for the same map gives much better drops.
That is how weak Pure Strategy rewards are. Its for a fun, easy, but inferior alternative to survival and for wasting time, not for progress.

Big spawning differences: it never spawns ogres or the worst shard mobs (sharken, djinn, ogrecopter).
The mobs *never* have any elemental immunities, so you are less dependent on strength drain auras for your elemental damage (mostly lighting aura+firetower).
If you want to get good at survival, dont get good at this first - you will get some bad habits that you have to forget and the builds are frequently radically different.