Minecraft Bedrock finally gets Hardcore mode in the latest Preview

Playing Minecraft in Hardcore mode is considered the most challenging way to experience the game. Unlike other difficulties, death in Hardcore mode is permanent, making it crucial to avoid even the smallest mistakes or accidents to prevent losing entire worlds. Hardcore mode is set to the highest difficulty level, making every enemy in the game incredibly dangerous and powerful. This difficulty level was recently introduced as a major update to Minecraft Bedrock, and is currently being tested in the latest preview version.

This article provides an overview of Hardcore and highlights some of the additional Preview updates that have made it even more dangerous.

Exploring the World of Minecraft Hardcore

Hardcore games require setting up a good foundation on the first few days (Image via Mojang)

As previously stated, the main features of Minecraft Hardcore are permanent death and a locked difficulty level of hard. This makes starvation an immediate and dangerous concern, making it crucial to establish a food farm early on. Additionally, there are other unique aspects of this mode that prospective players should be aware of.

One major difference in Hardcore mode is the restriction of bonus chests and cheats. Furthermore, hearts have been given a new texture that resembles glaring eyes, further emphasizing the perilous environment in which players find themselves.

The open-LAN option in Java Edition allows players to utilize Minecraft’s console commands to avoid death. It is currently unknown if Bedrock will also have comparable exploits.

Additional Changes

Trial chambers are much deadlier with this Preview applied (Image via Mojang)

In addition to Hardcore mode, this latest snapshot also introduces new features to make the game more challenging. The upcoming trial chambers now have a variety of optional and sinister variants that offer increased difficulty and add an element of interest.

The revamped bad omen effect now causes ominous trials to spawn armored mobs at a higher frequency. These trials are necessary to obtain the materials required for crafting Minecraft’s new super-powered mace weapon, as well as its enchantments.

It is a well-known fact that mobs are more dangerous in ominous trials and that spawners will reactivate when on cooldown. These aspects make ominous events the ideal structure to explore for those seeking high-risk, high-reward experiences, especially since hardcore mode is still in its experimental stage.

In this preview, bad omen has been revamped. With the introduction of ominous bottles, players now have the ability to choose when the effect takes place. These bottles will be obtained from raid captains and vault blocks found in trial chambers. This control over the effect is crucial for activating the new ominous trial chambers. Additionally, a new status effect symbol has been added for the effect.