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Mortal Shell 2 takes an unconventional approach to difficulty. Rather than presenting a menu of options at the start, the game embeds its difficulty modifiers into the world itself as obtainable items and unlockable modes. There are three distinct ways to adjust how hard the game is: the Slayer Seal for players who want a lighter experience, Night Mode for those who want a significantly tougher one, and New Game Plus for players who have finished the game and want to carry their progress into a harder second run. None of these are mandatory, and all of them are entirely optional.
The Slayer Seal: easier difficulty
The Slayer Seal is found early in the game inside Marrow Keep. From the beacon inside the Keep, head toward Merrick and then turn right, continuing in that direction until you reach a dead end. The Slayer Seal is located to the left of that dead end.
Once claimed, the Slayer Seal can be equipped from your inventory under the Seals tab. It reduces the difficulty of combat by granting abilities that enhance both your ranged attacks and your ripostes, giving you meaningful buffs that make encounters considerably more forgiving. It is worth considering if you are finding the game's base difficulty frustrating.
There is one significant trade-off to be aware of before you equip it. The game warns you clearly that equipping the Slayer Seal permanently disables trophy and achievement unlocks on that save file. If you are aiming for a full trophy list, do not equip it. If you simply want to enjoy the story and world without repeated deaths slowing you down, it is there for exactly that purpose.
Night Mode: harder difficulty
Night Mode is the game's hardest difficulty setting, and unlocking it requires finding a specific item called the Gloombound Flame and then using it to light the lantern at the top of Marrow Keep. The Gloombound Flame is found in the arena where you fight the game's first boss, located below the Widow's Overlook beacon. After the fight, look to the right side of the arena. There is a dead body lying there, and the Gloombound Flame is on the ground beside it. Pick it up and it will appear in your inventory under the Keys tab.
With the Gloombound Flame in hand, make your way to the top of Marrow Keep using the lift, and find the extinguished lantern there. Interact with it and use the flame to light it. This triggers a prompt called "Call Forth the Night", asking whether you want to enable increased difficulty. Confirm it, and Night Mode activates.
Night Mode makes the game significantly harder, ramping up enemy aggression and damage in ways that will test even experienced players. The trade-off is that it also rewards you more generously and introduces unique content that is not available during normal play. There are things in Night Mode that simply do not exist in the standard version of the game, which makes it worth pursuing for completionists even beyond the additional challenge. Night Mode isn't just called that for no reason. Once you start this mode, day shifts to night, and some areas become available that were not available before, during the daytime.
New Game Plus: carry your progress forward
New Game Plus unlocks automatically after you complete the main story. Starting a NG+ run lets you carry over all of your Shells and gear into a new playthrough, but enemies are stronger and have higher HP throughout. It is a natural next step for players who want to use their fully built-out loadout against more demanding opposition, and it preserves everything you worked to earn rather than stripping it away for a fresh start.
Quick tip: If you are planning to pursue the Platinum trophy or the 100 per cent achievement completion, decide before picking up the Slayer Seal whether you intend to equip it. The achievement lock is permanent on that save file and cannot be reversed. Keep it in your inventory if you want it available but aren't committed to using it.
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