lmao

IMO, the time you'd need to invest into a completely self-sustaining HC character to be able to solo from feeder to Alchy is not even close to a balanced risk/reward ratio. The complete annihilation of your character/gear is far too steep for this game.

I feel a cross between POE/D2 HC could be a solid balance. POE HC your character goes to SC, which you lose no time invested (if I'm not mistaken). With D2 HC you'd lose your character, but hopefully someone was around to loot your gear, which depending your level you'd lose a decent amount time invested but you'd retain your items.

My suggestion for HC instead of complete loss of character/gear/proficiencies, you'd reroll 1 class back and have to pass that class again but youd get 2 gps instead of the initial pass points. If thats not steep enough for the HC folks, maybe a complete reroll back to feeder. But you'd retain your gear/profs/gear so the deaths are not as extreme. I could possibly see that being more attractive to risk exploring for MM or just group exploring at high levels or going to 101.

Half of the reason HC is interesting is that it is 0 deaths.
Fine as is, only issue is death by lag, which is a bitter pill to swallow

If you don't want to lose everything play SC, simple

you lose 3-4 items max in a death. Nothing needs to be changed but the drop rate of items in general.

No. You die, your items get burned with your corpse.

Viking funeral style

sounds to me like a good way to avoid trade fees... cross guild. just a thought.