Hard Mode is one of the new difficulty settings added to Suikoden 1 HD Remaster for extra challenge. Read on to learn more details about Hard Mode, including what it changes and how to succeed!

Hard Mode Guide

Hard Mode Tips
Level Up Upgrade Your Gear Recruit Strong Allies Use Optimal Teams Use Strong Abilities

Have High Levels

Hard Mode makes individual enemies more difficult to defeat, so succeeding in Hard Mode battles requires your party to have the highest level possible for the area you're in.

Whenever entering a new region or dungeon, spend time defeating enemies in battle to raise your level before proceeding, using inns in nearby towns or consumables like Medicine to keep your HP up.

EXP Farming Guide: How to Level Up Fast

Upgrade Your Gear

Hard Mode enemies also have more HP, meaning they will take more hits before going down. To maximize your damage output, always make sure to upgrade your weapons to the highest possible level at the Blacksmith.

Similarly, enhance your defense by buying the best armor and accessories possible from Armor Shops throughout the world.

Blacksmith Guide: How to Unlock and Use

Recruit Strong Allies

Suikoden 1 is all about finding powerful allies to join your cause, but some allies are more powerful than others. Explore the world and find powerful fighters for the Liberation Army, then bring those fighters with you to battle in Hard Mode to maximize your chance of success.

Some of the best party members in the game include the likes of Viktor and Flik, Luc, Cleo, Valeria, and others.

Best Characters Tier List

Optimize Your Formation

In general, combat on Hard Mode reaffirms that some party members and teams can be better than others. Ensure that all your party members have good synergy and high stats, favoring the best ones to ensure the greatest chance of victory.

For example, consider bringing party members with powerful Unite Attacks like Kai and the Hero, or characters with access to Magical Runes.

Best Party and Team Composition

Utilize Powerful Abilities

Since Hard Mode makes enemies more difficult to defeat, to succeed in battle you should use strong abilties more often. Strong abilities can remove enemies before they inflict damage, keeping your party safe and ensuring victory.

These include powerful single-target attacks like the Falcon Rune attached to Valeria, Unite Attacks like the Hero and Kai's that can wipe out small foes, and even magical spells like Finger of Death that can instantly eliminate troublesome enemies.

Best Runes

How to Activate Hard Mode

Only Activated When Starting New Game

Hard Mode may only be selected when starting a new game. When selecting Hard Mode, you cannot reduce difficulty to Normal or Easy afterward.

Cannot Change to Hard Mode from Normal or Easy

Conversely, you cannot select Hard Mode from a game started in Normal or Easy mode.

What Is Hard Mode?

Hard Mode Adds Challenge to Combat

A new feature added to Suikoden 1 HD Remaster, Hard Mode is the most difficult of the three difficulty settings available in the game. It increases the challenge level of all the normal enemies and bosses in the game.

Completing the game on Hard Mode is also required to unlock the The Ultimate Tenkai Star Achievement/Trophy.

Trophy Guide and Achievements List: How to Get Platinum

Hard Mode Increases Enemy Stats in Regular Combat

In general, Hard Mode in Suikoden 1 HD Remaster only affects enemy stats, making each enemy have more HP and deal more damage.

Hard Mode settings do not affect the spawn rate, drop rate, or combat rewards of normal and boss encounters. It also does not change Army Battles. It simply makes individual enemies harder to defeat and more lethal.

List of All Enemies and Item Drops

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