Hardcore Mode is a selectable option on campaign maps, including Survival and Pure Strategy. When Hardcore mode is selected, players lose the ability to respawn during the Combat Phase, and must wait until the next Build Phase to return. The wave will continue to play out, even after all players are dead, until either the wave finishes, or the Eternia Crystal is destroyed, whichever comes first.
In the event that you die during the Build Phase, and the Combat Phase begins before you respawn, you will not respawn until the next Build Phase.
Any mana that isn't collected from the ground will also de-spawn when starting the next wave, however, any collected mana will stay on the map after dropping it and will not de-spawn.
It also implements a Build timer on Campaign maps
A game with Hardcore mode enabled will give better loot compared to a standard game, provided you survive!