[2021] What is Hardcore?

It’s a tough question, because it’ll be so dependent on the individual player’s ability and attitudes toward playing. For instance, take lowering player block damage. Some might find that more hardcore, while others might only find it more tedious. The same can be said of many settings. But one thing I’d consider hardcore is permadeath, aka ‘dead is dead’ mode. The devs have talked about adding this as a feature, but for now it has to be self imposed.