DIFFICULTY MODE MECHANICS  (2015/01/03)

Past reports and discussions have suggested that target turns would be affected by difficulty modes and this is no longer true.  
The "normal" mode is based the calculations and frequencies players are used to in the current version of the prototype.
Difficulty modes can be toggled at any time between missions and affect only what is listed below:

Normal Mode
This is the default mode you start out with.
- All battle point calculations are done normally.
- All item drop frequencies are done normally.
- Target robots are of average intelligence and use some strategy.
- Target robots may be holding their own items.

Easy Mode
A more relaxed version of the game for newer players.
- Battle points earned from missions are reduced by 10% of their base.
- Item drops happen less frequently and rarely include shards or cores.
- Target robots are of below average intelligence and use almost no strategy.
- Target robots will never be holding their own items.

Hard Mode
A more intense version of the game for veteran players.
- Battle points earned from missions are increased by 10% of their base.
- Item drops happen more frequently and often include shards or cores.
- Target robots are of above average intelligence and use a lot of strategy.
- Target robots will often be holding their own items.