Hardcore realm concepts for Scars of Honor

A recurring design discussion concerns whether Scars of Honor should experiment with a hardcore-style ruleset on a future public test. The proposed baseline version follows the familiar permadeath model: when a character dies, that character is no longer playable on the hardcore realm.

A second, softer variant is also considered. In that version, death would not delete the character, but would impose severe penalties intended to preserve tension and risk.

Permadeath as the strict hardcore model

The strict interpretation of hardcore is described as permanent character loss on death. Under that model, death ends the run and the character cannot continue on the hardcore environment. This is treated as the clearest and most recognizable definition of "hardcore."

Questions are raised around adjacent restrictions that often accompany hardcore servers, such as whether trading or grouping should be limited. No final rule set is established, but the discussion frames those restrictions as optional additions rather than the core definition.

Alternative death-penalty realm

An alternative realm concept is proposed for Scars of Honor in which death causes the loss of equipped gear rather than full character deletion. A further suggestion adds experience loss on death, potentially enough to reduce progress meaningfully.

This version is presented as a way to keep danger high while allowing more players to participate than a pure permadeath server might attract. The idea is treated as especially suitable for testing because server-side rule changes of this kind are described as comparatively straightforward to implement.

Naming and communication

A major concern is terminology. The gear-loss-and-XP-loss version is repeatedly treated as distinct from true hardcore, and there is hesitation to label it simply as "hardcore" because that term is associated with permanent death.

Clear communication is considered essential. A normal server, a permadeath hardcore server, and a harsher death-penalty server would need to be explained in a way that avoids misleading players about the consequences of death.

Audience and niche appeal

The discussion treats hardcore MMO players as a real but niche audience. The concept is seen as potentially attractive to players who enjoy high-risk PvP or survival-oriented MMO structures, but it is also acknowledged that many players prefer a more casual experience without the pressure of permanent or semi-permanent loss.

The softer death-penalty realm is viewed as a possible bridge between those audiences, offering challenge without full character deletion.

Source

• Recording: 🔴 MMoRPG Dev 🔴Plays WoW Hardcore with the community! NO SPOILERS!
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• Published: Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 9:12 PM UTC