Hardcore Mode increases difficulty through intelligence, pressure, and competition. Opposing managers are smarter and more adaptable, club boards are far less patient, and the transfer market becomes a ruthless battlefield. There are no easy rebuilds, no long grace periods, and no safe seasons. Tactical preparation, squad planning and consistency are essential to survive.
- Smarter, more adaptable AI managers;
- Highly ambitious and impatient boards;
- A more competitive transfer market without adding extra money;
- Reduced margin for error across all leagues.
Hardcore Mode is fair, realistic, and punishing — difficulty earned, not forced.
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💸 Berserk Mode – Survival Football
Berserk Mode takes everything from Hardcore Mode and pushes it further by attacking the financial foundations of football. Money is tight, budgets are reduced, and growth becomes painfully slow. Every contract matters. Every transfer is a risk. Financial mismanagement is no longer forgiven.
- Global financial nerf;
- Zero transfer and wage budgets;
- Removed sponsorship income;
- Slower club growth and harsher consequences.
This is survival football. Only well-run clubs endure.
Two paths. One goal. Survive football at its hardest.




![FM26 Data Tweaks [v1.7 | v2.8]](https://i.postimg.cc/t4fKVrB7/wonderkid.png)


Discussion: [FM26] Ultimate Difficulty Pack
92 comments have been posted so far.
The money is gone now (there was about 4mln for transfers).
I was trying to sign the same player Kari which join my Talavera save and now he is saying I don't have many to handle his demands. He would be rather future prospect for Sampdoria.
All the player I was trying to sign say the same thing.
So when I saved a game I add manager for Leeds and Arsenal.
HE IS SAYING THE SAME THING.
I just wonder if this doesn't create a problem in the future that there will be a lot of players without club who doesn't want to sign for anyone.
With smarters managers you meant for buying/selling or for changing tactics during season or game??