Similar to Druid and Werewolf, there is another game mode that is semi-permanent called Hardcore Mode. It's not permanent, but it is permanent in the sense that if an item breaks while playing in Hardcore Mode, you must fix it by getting back to your gravestone, and if you cannot get to your gravestone before it times out, the item will remain broken, even if you leave Hardcore Mode.

This mode was added to provide players with a consequence to death in the game. Some players choose to play the game this way not just for the challenge, but because they feel like death should have consequences.

So, you might be wondering, what are the benefits of playing in Hardcore Mode if the consequences are that your items break or have a chance to break on death? The benefits are the following:

1. Some looted gear has as chance to drop with benefits for a Hardcore player. These benefits are often minor, but sometimes they give an edge in ways that a player wouldn't get otherwise.
2. Guilds that only accept Hardcore players get massive benefits to guild credits for their members when doing guild quests. This is a pretty significant benefit.
3. Hardcore players get access to a Hardcore-specific “Revive” ability, meaning they can revive an extra time over normal players.
4. Hardcore players get a Hardcore-specific “Recall Beginnings” ability, meaning they can return to the start of a dungeon or map/zone right away without having to level Teleportation and getting Favor with Ratuk to get the normal Recall Beginnings spell.
5. While most gear can break when a player dies, there are a few specific types of gear that will never break when a Hardcore player dies.
6. Hardcore players get access to Hardcore-specific belts that offer significant Health upgrades.
7. Hardcore Living is a skill that is available and specific to ONLY Hardcore players. (As of early 2024, this skill doesn't yet have any major new benefits, but some are definitely being planned)

I don't personally play Hardcore. I don't recommend that other players play Hardcore because I don't have experience with it myself. That said, I don't actively discourage playing Hardcore either. I would *highly* recommend that players who do choose to play Hardcore immediately find and join a Hardcore guild, however. The benefits of a guild aren't just in the increased Hardcore credits, either, a guild will be essential towards helping you find your corpse when you die.