Use the main-menu run settings to choose how punishing the descent should be. The developer exposes both presets and individual modifiers, so one difficulty label does not describe every customized run.
Preset intent
Tough emphasizes punishing mistakes and time pressure. Relaxed gives more time to explore while retaining consequences. Paradise reduces hazards and pressure and offers more loot and friendly encounters. Desolate makes resources and survivors scarce while increasing danger.
These are descriptions of intent, not measured success rates or a promise that a preset prevents death.
Read each modifier
Bleeding rate changes how quickly wounds lower blood volume. Infection chance and infection speed address different parts of infection behavior. Sleep options can alter energy cycling or remove normal restrictions. Trader chance, inventory amount and reputation offset affect encounters separately.
Release 1.0 fixes an infection-chance calculation and some world-generation adherence to loot quantity. Old settings videos can therefore demonstrate different behavior.
Learn one change at a time
For a first run, choose a preset with the intended pace and inspect the most relevant modifiers before customizing many at once. Record changes when comparing outcomes; otherwise a treatment or route may appear different for reasons unrelated to the guide.
Read Unchipped for its specific tradeoff and beginner priorities before making the first descent.
Sources & version notes
Reviewed against the primary sources below. Version-dependent details are identified in the article; these procedures have not been personally playtested.
- Developer release 1.0 English reference: tutorial, items and status text (2026-11-11 checked)
- Official Release 1.0 Patchnotes (2026-11-09)
Compiled from public sources. We have not personally played or tested these procedures. Check your installed build and its tooltips when details differ.