DIFFICULTY
Pragmata Difficulty Modes Explained
Pragmata has three selectable difficulties + NG+ scaling. The hacking-puzzle timers are not affected by difficulty — only combat is.
Modes at a glance
| Mode | Damage taken | Damage dealt | Boss HP | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual | ×0.6 | ×1.4 | ×0.8 | Story-first players, accessibility. |
| Standard | ×1.0 | ×1.0 | ×1.0 | Default. Balanced for first-time True Ending. |
| Hardcore | ×1.5 | ×0.8 | ×1.25 | Veteran action-game players. |
| NG+ (any base) | +10% | — | +25% | Carry-over weapons + REM data trivialises this. |
What does NOT change with difficulty
- Hacking puzzle timers — same on every mode. Use Hacking Module I regardless.
- Tile damage — red tiles still deal -3 s on every difficulty.
- Story / cinematics — identical across modes.
- Trophy / achievement requirements — no difficulty-locked trophies. Casual players can platinum.
Which mode for the True Ending?
Standard is the recommended default. Hacking is the True Ending's actual challenge, and it isn't easier on lower difficulties. If combat frustrates you, drop to Casual without losing any trophies.
Which mode for NG+ Origin Ω?
Hardcore. Origin Ω is balanced around NG+ Hardcore — on Casual NG+ you'll out-damage him with the buffed Origin Beam and miss the intended phase pacing. See Origin Ω strategy.
Can I change difficulty mid-game?
Yes — at any save terminal. Setting changes apply immediately to the next combat encounter; in-progress fights keep their original scaling.