Description[]
Hard Mode, previously called Normal Mode, is the second of the three main gamemodes. It themes around the ISC Faction, a space megacorporation run by Ignitus and his right man Saber Champion, being the bosses of this mode. It has a total of 30 waves.
As a middle gamemode, Hard Mode steps up the difficulty from Normal Mode by introducing flying enemies such as Winged and Glider, and more enemies that have Defense and
Shield Health. Most late-game enemies have burn immunity or resistance, signifying the lava or molten theme of the ISC Faction.
When the Ranked-Up modifier is applied, the Vengeful Champion and True Ignitus are the main bosses. While the overall difficulty is raised, the final wave itself is arguably easier than the standard version.
Beating Hard Mode counts towards progression to unlocking Surveyor.
Enemies[]
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Invader Wave 1 |
Sprinter Wave 3 |
Armored Wave 5 |
Cuffed Wave 6 |
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Chained Wave 8 |
Winged Wave 9 |
Builder Wave 11 |
Creation Summoned |
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Major Sprinter Wave 13 |
Gargantuan X Wave 15 |
Mage Wave 17 |
Frost Wave 18 |
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Glider Wave 19 |
Cursed Fire Wave 21 |
Static Wave 23 |
Flamer Wave 24 |
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Summoner Wave 25 |
Gem Summoned |
Reactor Wave 27 |
Lightspeed Wave 28 |
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Apparition Wave 28 |
Saber Champion Wave 28 |
Prompter Wave 29 |
Hellflame Reactor Wave 29 |
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Hellspeed Wave 30 |
Ignitus Wave 30 |
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Swordsman Wave 1 |
Ninja Wave 3 |
Soldier Wave 5 |
Worker Wave 7 |
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Metallic Wave 8 |
Jetpacker Wave 9 |
Builder Wave 11 |
Creation Summoned |
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Sprinter M5 Wave 13 |
Shielder Wave 15 |
Summoner Wave 17 |
Gem Summoned |
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Frost Wave 18 |
Glider Wave 19 |
Cursed Fire Wave 21 |
Pure Energy Wave 23 |
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Flamer Wave 24 |
Faded Summoner Wave 25 |
Faded Summoned |
Hellflame Reactor Wave 27 |
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Hellspeed Wave 28 |
Mothership Wave 28 |
Vengeful Champion Wave 28 |
Prompter X Wave 29 |
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Vengeful Speed Wave 30 |
True Ignitus Wave 30 |
Strategy[]
In Standard[]
- Due to the increase in difficulty, stronger towers such as Vulcan, Electricizer and Elite is recommended.
- Beginner towers such as Slinger, Crossbower and Gunslinger are less effective in Hard Mode due to their low DPS, though they may be useful in certain occasions such as serving as stun bait.
- Market is also recommended, though it is not necessary.
- Support towers such as Bugler can boost your towers' DPS.
- Early-game is fairly easy, with a couple of Sharpshooters or Snipers being enough.
- Since flying detection is present in Hard Mode, towers with flying detection such as Sharpshooter, Elite or Surveyor are necessary to bring.
- Some towers on certain paths cannot detect flying, such as Gunslinger and Electricizer, and some towers cannot detect flying at all, such as Vulcan.
- Crowd control towers such as Demolitionists can clear up hordes of enemies that are common in Hard Mode, such as Gems and Prompters.
- Due to the increased presence of
Shield Health, Elite is recommended as it can deal 3x damage to shields.
- High DPS towers such as X-4 Vulcan, Electricizer and Lightbeamer should be present to deal with higher health enemies and the bosses.
- As Saber Champion can target towers, spamming cheap bait such as Slinger or Market can help avert attention away from your main defenses, preventing loss of DPS.
In Ranked-Up[]
- Same thing but increased DPS.
- Unlike the normal variant, Vengeful Champion can be stunned by Mechanic or X-3 Electricizer.
Dialogues[]
Character | Dialogue | |
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![]() Captain |
"The time has come - they have began their attack! Quickly finish them off! As for you, I think you got the drill. Prepare for the Invaders." | |
![]() Captain |
"Some of the fast ones are attacking us. You'd better kill them quickly!" | |
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"Nevermind then, some of them are heavily armored. Don't let them get close." | |
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"These ones are marked by their cuffs. They're the only ones coming, take them down." | |
![]() Captain |
"I'm warning you now, but some of them can fly. Get some flying detection before they come!" | |
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about Chained |
"Large ‘Chained’ enemy inbound. This threat is even stronger than the Armored units we had already been dealing with." |
![]() Captain |
"This wave will determine if you listened to me or not." | |
![]() Captain |
"This unit can build other units! Kill it first, don’t let it build it’s army." | |
![]() Captain |
"Combining both the strength of a Chained and the agility of a Sprinter. A Major Sprinter." | |
![]() Captain |
"A tougher Gargantuan unit? We must strengthen our defenses." | |
![]() Captain |
"Through your brilliance we survived. The battle is changing rapidly, so prepare for these next waves." | |
![]() Captain |
"Those Mages from previous battle have returned. It seems like they joined forces." | |
![]() Captain |
"Hey Freezers, You’re useless. Give. Up." | |
![]() Captain |
"Gliders are appropriately named for their flying ability. Hopefully we have enough towers to combat this threat." | |
![]() Captain |
"Fire enemies are approaching, with special healing properties." | |
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"A white blur just passed by. Must be another threat." | |
![]() Captain |
"Unstable units can explode upon death and stun nearby towers. Watch out." | |
![]() Captain |
"Summoners are especially good at.. summoning. Let’s summon some lead in their faces." | |
![]() Captain |
"Unfortunately I have to leave. I’m sure you can do well on your own. Farewell." | |
![]() Saber Champion |
"Ah, good, another task.. You better make this easy for me."
"Your attack must end. Your planet holds a lot of your economic value, so don't make me end your little tantrum here." "I know you can hear me. I learned your language just to say these words, you know?" | |
![]() Saber Champion |
Fine! If I have to best you in battle myself, I will! | |
![]() Ignitus |
"Impressive work defeating my.. overconfident leader."
"His judgement was correct. End the assault, or I will end you." "Otherwise... I look forward to our battle. May the strongest win." | |
![]() Ignitus |
"A pity we couldn't use your assistance. Your technology is fascinating."
"In violation of the Legion Act 31-C of the ISC, I, Ignitus, shall strike your rebellion down!" |
Trivia[]
- Originally, Hard Mode had 40 waves, later reduced to 30 waves to make matches faster.
- The ISC Maps imply that the ISC is related to those maps, however, to obtain Mechanic, they have to be beaten in Expert Mode, which is centered around the XCF.
- ISC currently stands for Imperial Space Commerce.
- ISC formerly stood for Intergalatic Solar Command.
- Unlike other gamemodes, the dialogue for bosses in Hard Mode is not represented by an Unknown speaker.
Gallery[]
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![]() Features |
Current |
Codes • Challenges • Contracts • ISC Maps • Tokens • Experience • Points • Tickets • John Pork • Cash • Tutorial • Modifiers • Special Properties • Events • Splash Damage • Skip • Settings • Rejoin |
Removed | ||
![]() Cosmetics |
Current | |
Removed | ||
![]() Gamemodes |
Normal Mode • Hard Mode • Expert Mode | |
![]() Miscellaneous |
Badges • Soundtrack • Captain • Bugs and Glitches • Game Thumbnails • Changelog • Rules • Lobby • Manual Of Style • Tower Blitz Defense Simulator+ • Unreleased/Scrapped Content | |
![]() Events |
Terror Blitz 2021 • Cold Construct 2021 • April Fools 2022 • Cold Construct 2022 • April Fools 2023 • Cold Construct Season 2023 • Halloween 2024 • April Fools 2025 |