The First Descendant, another thrilling first-person shooter from Nexon, with over 100K concurrent players on its first release, this game surely captures the heart of the many. Now, on this guide you will learn how to unlock the hard mode. This game mode challenges players with its default difficulty.
For those seeking an even tougher test, the game offers a Hard mode that can be unlocked.
This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to unlock and tackle Hard mode, enhancing your gameplay experience with new challenges and rewards.
Why Unlock Hard Mode?
Hard mode is designed for experienced players who crave additional challenges and greater rewards. By unlocking this mode, players gain access to unique items and resources that are not available on the default difficulty.
This increased replayability and reward system make Hard mode a worthwhile pursuit for dedicated players.
How to Unlock Hard Mode

Complete the Main Story Quest – Heart of the Fortress
To unlock Hard mode, players must complete the final quest in the main story, “Heart of the Fortress.” This quest is challenging, especially in co-op mode where the difficulty and health of enemies are scaled up
Here are some tips to help you complete this quest:
Solo Play Advantage
If you’re struggling in co-op mode, consider switching to solo play. The game adjusts the difficulty based on the number of players, so it may be easier to complete challenging missions alone.
Gear Up
Ensure your character is well-equipped with the best available weapons and armor. Upgrading your gear can make a significant difference in surviving tough encounters.
Weapons – Make sure to have high powered primary weapons such as assault rifles, sniper rifles, or shotguns. Also, get a secondary weapon like a pistol or SMG.
Armor – Choose armor with high defense ratings to absorb more damage, especially armor that are elemental resistances. Also get helmets and boots.
TIP: Look for weapons with elemental damage (fire, ice, or electric) to exploit enemy weaknesses.
Tips for Acquiring and Upgrading Gear
- Complete Side Quests and Challenges: Side quests and challenges often reward players with high-quality gear and resources.
- Farm Bosses: Regularly defeating bosses can yield powerful weapons and armor.
- Crafting and Upgrading: Utilize the crafting system to create and upgrade your gear. Collect materials from enemies and missions to enhance your equipment.
- Trade with NPCs: Interact with NPCs in the game to buy, sell, or trade for better gear.
- Participate in Events: Limited-time events often provide opportunities to earn exclusive and powerful gear.
Learn Enemy Patterns
Make sure to learn and understand the attack patterns and weaknesses of enemies can give you a strategic advantage in battles.
Complete All Zone Missions
In addition to the main story quest, players must also complete all zone missions. These missions are spread across different areas of the game and offer valuable experience and rewards.
Completing these missions not only helps in unlocking Hard mode but also prepares you for the increased difficulty.
Accessing Hard Mode
Once you have completed the necessary quests, accessing Hard mode is straightforward:
Open the World Map – Navigate to the game’s world map.
Select World Difficulty – At the bottom right corner of the map, you will find the option to change the world difficulty.
Choose Hard Mode – Select Hard mode from the available options.
What’s The Differences in Hard Mode?
Playing The First Descendant on Hard mode introduces several gameplay changes that enhance the difficulty:
Increased Enemy Attack Power – Enemies deal more damage, requiring players to be more strategic and cautious in their approach.
Enemy Modifiers – Enemies can have various modifiers that boost their stats or grant them resistance to certain attacks. This makes encounters more unpredictable and challenging.
Better Rewards – Hard mode offers greater rewards, including exclusive items and more resources that are vital for character progression and upgrades.
Tips for Surviving Hard Mode
Strategize Your Approach – Plan your attacks and use cover effectively. Rushing into battles can lead to quick defeats.
Upgrade Regularly – Continuously upgrade your gear and abilities to keep up with the increasing difficulty.
Team Coordination – If playing in co-op mode, coordinate with your team to maximize your effectiveness in battles. Communication is key to overcoming tougher enemies.
Conclusion
Unlocking and playing Hard mode in The First Descendant provides a fresh and challenging experience for seasoned players. By following this guide, you can successfully unlock Hard mode and enjoy the enhanced gameplay and rewards it offers.
This detailed guide aims to make your journey to Hard mode more user-friendly and insightful, ensuring you get the most out of your gaming experience.