Editing Difficulty Level

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{{cleanup|Add info for KH, BBSFM(if different like KHIIFM), and MOM}}
{{cleanup|Add info for KH, BBSFM(if different like KHIIFM), and MOM}}
The {{nihongo|'''Difficulty Level'''|ゲームモード|Gēmu Mōdo|lit. "Game Mode"}} of a game in the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series determines enemy strength and limitations the player will be presented with during gameplay. In most ''Kingdom Hearts'' games, players choose a difficulty level when starting a new game, and they cannot change the level once they have started.
The {{nihongo|'''Difficulty Level'''|ゲームモード|Gēmu Mōdo|lit. "Game Mode"}} of a game in the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series determines enemy strength and limitations the player will be presented with during gameplay. In most ''Kingdom Hearts'' games, players choose a difficulty level when starting a new game, and they cannot change the level once they have started.
The original Japanese version of ''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}'' had only one difficulty level, while the international version added Expert Mode. Difficulty levels and their names were standardized in later titles.


The highest level of difficulty is {{nihongo|'''Critical Mode'''|クリティカルモード|Kuritikaru Mōdo}}, followed by {{nihongo|'''Proud Mode'''|プラウドモード|Puraudo Mōdo}}, {{nihongo|'''Standard Mode'''|スタンダードモード|Sutandādo Mōdo}}, and {{nihongo|'''Beginner Mode'''|ビギナーモード|Biginā Mōdo}}.
The highest level of difficulty is {{nihongo|'''Critical Mode'''|クリティカルモード|Kuritikaru Mōdo}}, followed by {{nihongo|'''Proud Mode'''|プラウドモード|Puraudo Mōdo}}, {{nihongo|'''Standard Mode'''|スタンダードモード|Sutandādo Mōdo}}, and {{nihongo|'''Beginner Mode'''|ビギナーモード|Biginā Mōdo}}.
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In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]'', the difficulty level is instead handled by the [[Difficulty Cheat]], which is set to Standard by default but can be changed to "Beginner", "Proud", and "Critical" at any time.
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]'', the difficulty level is instead handled by the [[Difficulty Cheat]], which is set to Standard by default but can be changed to "Beginner", "Proud", and "Critical" at any time.


In ''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-]]'', Critical Mode is only available after completing the main game first instead of right away like before. ''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]'' originally lacked Critical Mode, but it eventually became available in the Version 1.04-1.05 update.
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-]]'', Critical Mode is only available after completing the main game first instead of right away like before. ''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]'' originally lacked Critical Mode, but it eventually became available in Version 1.04-1.05 update.


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==List of difficulties in each game==
==List of difficulties in each game==
{|border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="text-align:center"
{|class="wikitable" width="100%" style="text-align:center"
|-style="{{style||a}}"
|-bgcolor="#87ceeb"
!width="25%" rowspan="2"|Game
|width="25%" rowspan="2"|'''Game'''
!width="75%" colspan="4"|Available Difficulty Levels
|width="75%" colspan="9"|'''Available Difficulty Levels'''
|-style="{{style||b}}"
|-
|-bgcolor="#87ceeb"
|
|
!Normal Mode
|'''Normal Mode'''
!Expert Mode
|'''Expert Mode'''
|
|
|-
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}''
|''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|game}}''
|
|
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}<ref>International version only.</ref>
|{{Yes}}
|
|
|-style="{{style||b}}"
|
!Beginner Mode
!Standard Mode
!Proud Mode
!Critical Mode
|-
|-
|-bgcolor="#87ceeb"
|'''Game'''
|'''Beginner Mode'''
|'''Standard Mode'''
|'''Proud Mode'''
|'''Critical Mode'''
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Final Mix]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Final Mix]]''
|{{Yes}}<ref>Named "Final Mix: Beginner".</ref>
|{{Yes}}<ref>Named "Final Mix: Beginner".</ref>
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|{{Yes}}<ref>Named "Final Mix: Proud".</ref>
|{{Yes}}<ref>Named "Final Mix: Proud".</ref>
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}<ref>International version only.</ref>
|{{Yes}}<ref>International version only.</ref>
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts coded]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts coded]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}<ref name="unlock">Unlocks after beating the game once.</ref>
|{{Yes}}<ref name="unlock">Unlocks after beating the game once.</ref>
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Union χ]]''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}<ref>Only available for the Summer Adventure quests.</ref>
|-
|''[[Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}<ref name="unlock"/>
|{{Yes}}<ref name="unlock"/>
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}<ref>Added in the 1.04 update.</ref>
|{{Yes}}<ref>Added in the 1.04 update.</ref>
|-
|-bgcolor="#e6e6fa"
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory]]''
|''[[Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
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==''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories''==
==''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories''==
===Beginner Mode===
===Beginner Mode===
*Compared to Standard, enemies' max HP is cut by 0.75x.
*Compared to Standard, enemies' HP is cut by 0.75x.
*Compared to Standard, enemies deal 0.8x the damage.
*Compared to Standard, enemies deal 0.8x the damage.
*Sora and Riku have a 4% chance of getting a Random Joker after a fight.
*Sora and Riku have a 4% chance of getting a Random Joker after a fight.
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*Compared to Standard, enemies deal 1.2x the damage.
*Compared to Standard, enemies deal 1.2x the damage.
*Sora and Riku have a 0.7% chance of getting a Random Joker after a fight.
*Sora and Riku have a 0.7% chance of getting a Random Joker after a fight.
*Save file will display "Proud Mode"


==''Kingdom Hearts II''==
==''Kingdom Hearts II''==
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*MP from Bonus Levels raises in +5 increments instead of +10 increments. (Maximum MP: 120 MP)
*MP from Bonus Levels raises in +5 increments instead of +10 increments. (Maximum MP: 120 MP)
*Compared to Standard, EXP gained is 75% of the normal amount.
*Compared to Standard, EXP gained is 75% of the normal amount.
*Roxas learns [[Reaction Boost]], [[Finishing Plus]], [[Draw]], 2x [[Lucky Lucky]], [[MP Hastera]] and [[No Experience]] on the Third Day.  
*Roxas learns Reaction Boost, Finishing Plus, Draw, 2x Lucky Lucky, MP Hastera and No Experience on the Third Day.  
*Roxas begins the game with 50 AP.
*Roxas begins the game with 50 AP.
*AP increases by increments of 3 instead of 2.
*AP increases by increments of 3 instead of 2.
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===Mission Mode===
===Mission Mode===
Though not a difficulty level in itself, [[Mission Mode]] boasts a difficulty level of its own, regardless of what difficulty you play on in Story Mode.
Though not a difficulty level in itself, [[Mission Mode]] boasts a difficulty level of its own that surpasses even Proud Mode . Regardless of what difficulty you play on in Story Mode, Mission Mode's difficulty stays consistent. Due to its intended multiplayer purpose, designed for two or more players to cooperate, players deal far less damage than usual.
 
With the bonus defense from automatic higher levels for enemies in Mission Mode, players only deal 0.5x damage, and take normal damage.
*Player takes 1.5x damage.
{{sec-stub}}
*Enemies have 3x as much HP.
**Enemies's HP [[gauge]]s display 600 HP per full gauge, unlike the usual 200 HP.
*Number of HP prizes and munny dropped by enemies is halved.


==''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''==
==''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''==
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===Critical Mode===
===Critical Mode===
*Player deals normal damage.
*Player deals 0.5x damage compared to Standard.
*Player receives 2x damage compared to Standard.
*Player receives 2x damage compared to Standard.
*Compared to Standard, EXP gained is 75% of the normal amount.
*HP quantities from Bonus Levels are halved compared to Standard.
*HP quantities from Bonus Levels are halved compared to Standard.
*Game begins with five command slots.
*Game begins with five command slots.
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*Compared to Standard, Sora and Riku take 0.5x the damage.
*Compared to Standard, Sora and Riku take 0.5x the damage.
*Compared to Standard, Spirits take 0.5x the damage.
*Compared to Standard, Spirits take 0.5x the damage.
*One or two enemies will attack at a time.
*Risky Winds ''[[Forecast]]'' is not available.
*The Risky Winds [[Forecast]] is not available.
*Thirteen or more [[Trophies]] are required to unlock [[Another Guardian of Light]].
*Thirteen or more [[Trophies]] are required to unlock [[Another Guardian of Light]].


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*Sora and Riku take normal damage.
*Sora and Riku take normal damage.
*Spirits take normal damage.
*Spirits take normal damage.
*One or two enemies will attack at a time.
*Seven or more Trophies are required to unlock [[Another Guardian of Light]].
*Seven or more Trophies are required to unlock [[Another Guardian of Light]].


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*Compared to Standard, Sora and Riku take 1.5x the damage.
*Compared to Standard, Sora and Riku take 1.5x the damage.
*Spirits take normal damage.
*Spirits take normal damage.
*Two or three enemies will attack at a time.
*Bosses are less likely to cheer or taunt after landing an attack.
*Enemies are more likely to use powerful attacks or action patterns.
*Five or more Trophies are required to unlock [[Another Guardian of Light]].
*Five or more Trophies are required to unlock [[Another Guardian of Light]].


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*EXP Zero is available as an ability.
*EXP Zero is available as an ability.
*Compared to Standard, enemies take 0.5x the damage.
*Compared to Standard, enemies take 0.5x the damage.
*Compared to Standard, Sora and Riku take 3.0x the damage, x2.0 in [[Dive Mode]].
*Compared to Standard, Sora and Riku take 3.0x the damage.
*Compared to Standard, Spirits take 1.5x the damage.
*Compared to Standard, Spirits take 1.5x the damage.
*Compared to Standard, Risky Winds has a 2.5x chance of appearing.
*Compared to Standard, Risky Winds has a 2.5x chance of appearing.
*All enemies will attack simultaneously.
*Enemies do not flinch as much as in other difficulties.
*Bosses attack in quicker succession. During Risky Winds, bosses attack almost constantly.
*Bosses activate their desperation moves much earlier than normal.
*Bosses are less likely to cheer or taunt after landing an attack.
**[[Game:Young Xehanort|Young Xehanort]] has an air combo that is exclusive to this difficulty level.
*Enemies are more likely to use powerful attacks or action patterns.
**{{ns|Game|Young Xehanort}}'s Wild Arcanum attack includes a variant that is exclusive to this difficulty level.
*Certain enemies will use attacks that are normally performed at low HP when they have a lot of HP remaining.
*Enemies do not flinch as much as in other difficulties.{{?}}<!--Requires checking if it matters on the Reaction Endurance or if it is about something else-->
*No Trophies are required to unlock [[Another Guardian of Light]].
*No Trophies are required to unlock [[Another Guardian of Light]].


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*Compared to Standard, Aqua deals 50% more damage.
*Compared to Standard, Aqua deals 50% more damage.
*Compared to Standard, enemies deal double damage.
*Compared to Standard, enemies deal double damage.
*Aqua's Attack combo chains are now reset by missed hits, and she can now get interrupted during the use of Curaga.
*The effects of Combo Master and Leaf Bracer are removed.
*Aqua won't survive a fatal attack if not at critical health when it lands.
*Second Chance does not take effect if Aqua is not at critical health when a fatal attack lands.
*Enemies and destructible items no longer drop HP, MP, and Focus prizes.
*Enemies and destructible items no longer drop HP, MP, and Focus prizes.
==''Kingdom Hearts Union χ''==
{{main|khux:Proud Mode|l1=Proud Mode}}
Each [[Story Quest]] in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Union χ]]'' has a default difficulty and an optional Proud Mode. The Summer Adventure line of quests also has an additional Critical mode.
===Standard Mode===
*Enemy levels are normal.
*All Keyblades, {{c|Medal|ucx}}s, and [[Special Attack]]s are available.
===Proud Mode===
*Enemy levels are higher.
*Must use a certain Keyblade.
*Conditions are set on which Medals and Special Attacks are available.
*Continues and Friend Medals are inaccessible.
*New Keyblades and rare Synthesis materials are available as rewards.
*For Quest 800 onward, and certain event quests, all objectives must be completed simultaneously.
===Critical Mode===
*Enemy levels are even higher.
*Must use a certain Keyblade.
*Continues and Friend Medals are inaccessible.
*All objectives must be completed simultaneously.
*Rarer rewards are available.


==''Kingdom Hearts III''==
==''Kingdom Hearts III''==
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*MP Charge times have been increased to 70 seconds.
*MP Charge times have been increased to 70 seconds.
*Compared to Standard, EXP gained is 75% of the normal amount.
*Compared to Standard, EXP gained is 75% of the normal amount.
*Sora has three default abilities exclusive to Critical Mode: [[Critical Counter]], [[Critical Recharge]], and [[Critical Converter]]. As playable characters, [[Riku]] and [[Aqua]] also have Critical Counter by default.
*Sora has three default abilities exclusive to Critical Mode: [[Critical Counter]], [[Critical Recharge]], and [[Critical Converter]]. As playable characters, [[Riku]], [[Aqua]], [[Roxas]]{{RM}}, and [[Kairi]]{{RM}} also have Critical Counter by default.
*Sora learns [[Aerial Recovery]], [[Counter Slash]], [[Counter Impact]], [[Counter Kick]], [[Final Blow]], [[Risk Dodge]], [[Rising Spiral]], [[Groundbreaker]], two additional instances of both [[Air Slide]] and [[Superslide]], and [[Combo Master]] by default.
*Sora learns [[Aerial Recovery]], [[Counter Slash]], [[Counter Impact]], [[Counter Kick]], [[Final Blow]], [[Risk Dodge]], [[Rising Spiral]], [[Groundbreaker]], two additional instances of both [[Air Slide]] and [[Superslide]], and [[Combo Master]] by default.
*The [[Soldier's Earring]] accessory is pre-equipped to Sora before fighting [[Darkside]] and the [[Shadow]]s.
*The [[Soldier's Earring]] accessory is pre-equipped to Sora before fighting [[Darkside]] and the [[Shadow]]s.
*[[Link]]s restore half of Sora's maximum HP, as opposed to all of his HP in other difficulties.
*[[Link]]s restore half of Sora's maximum HP, as opposed to all of his HP in other difficulties.
*Clearing the story on Critical Mode rewards the player with the [[Proof of Times Past]], which can be exchanged for the [[Oblivion]] Keyblade.
*Clearing the story on Critical Mode rewards the player with the [[Proof of Times Past]], which can be exchanged for the [[Oblivion]] Keyblade.
*[[Cuisine]] Full Course Bonus is two thirds as long.
*No Lucky Emblems are needed to view "Yozora".
*No Lucky Emblems are needed to view "Yozora".


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In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory]]'', the difficulty is handled on a level-by-level basis, as opposed to choosing one setting for the whole game. The difficulty level affects the general charting of the tracks, such as the number of notes and the pattern in which they need to be hit.
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory]]'', the difficulty is handled on a level-by-level basis, as opposed to choosing one setting for the whole game. The difficulty level affects the general charting of the tracks, such as the number of notes and the pattern in which they need to be hit.


However, certain songs are locked to Beginner Mode, and thus only have one charting:
The intro version of "{{ns|game|Simple and Clean}}", "{{ns|game|Dive into the Heart -Destati-}}", "{{ns|game|Stranded Beyond}}", "{{ns|game|Kairi III}}", and "{{ns|game|March Caprice for "Melody of Memory"}}" are all locked in Beginner Mode, and thus have only one charting.
* "{{ns|game|Simple and Clean}}" (intro version)
* "{{ns|game|Dive into the Heart -Destati-}}" (tutorial)
* "{{ns|game|Stranded Beyond}}" (in the last area)
* "{{ns|game|Kairi III}}" (in the last area)
* "{{ns|game|March Caprice for 'Melody of Memory'}}" (credits)


==Related trophies==
==Related trophies==
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Mechanics}}
[[Category:Game elements]]
[[Category:Game elements]]

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