Hardcore and Normal (or "Softcore") characters are kept completely separate on Battle.net, and can not interact, trade items or gold, share stash space, enter the same games, etc. Even on the same account, HC and SC are totally separate and a player just starting out in Hardcore will have zero gold, have to train up all their Artisans and buy stash space, etc.

* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/diablo3/game-features/hardcore All Hardcore News via Diablo.IncGamers.com]

* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?30-Hardcore Hardcore Diablo 2 Forum]

* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/537 D2 Hardcore Graveyard Image Gallery]