Unlike most games, there's no simple difficulty slider to adjust here - the challenge comes from choosing different game modes that match your playstyle (and honestly, your confidence level). If you're just starting out, standard league is your best bet since it lets you learn without harsh penalties, which is important because the combat system takes some getting used to.

For those wanting more of a challenge, hardcore mode adds that extra tension since death is permanent - your character gets moved to standard if you fall (this really makes you think twice about rushing into fights). Then there's solo self-found, which is interesting because it strips away trading and forces you to work with what you find, making resource management crucial. Combining these into hardcore ssf creates probably the most demanding experience you can have.

Something worth knowing is that after clearing the first three acts, you'll unlock cruel difficulty - think of it as a spicier version of the game where everything's been remixed and ramped up (enemies hit harder, but the rewards are better too). The real depth comes from the endgame map system, where you can fine-tune exactly how challenging you want your encounters to be. Just remember that compared to the previous game, everything's been designed to be a bit more unforgiving, so taking your time to learn enemy patterns is really important.