Difficulty Level and Damage Forza Horizon 3 Guide
Last update: 17 October 2016
This chapter contains some basic information about the available difficulty settings: what should be enabled/disabled, how many credits you'll receive for the change, how the chosen option affects the gameplay.
Many factors contribute to the overall difficulty level. All parameters are set from a one menu - Difficulty, and you can change the settings in any given moment (outside of races). Increasing the difficulty level allows for accumulating larger number of credits after every race, even up to 125%, the number of acquired experience points also receive a small boost. The settings feature a number of parameters that impact the gameplay directly.
The game will automatically detect if the difficulty level is unchallenging, and will suggest raising it. It concerns only drivatars, so it won't change the game style that you are already accustomed to.
Drivatar Difficulty
It's an overall skill level of all enemies during the race. Harder drivatars take better turns, make fewer mistakes, and sometimes are more aggressive. At first, this parameter should be set to a lower level than envisaged, so you can increase it when you feel that the other parameters are set correctly. The range of the settings allow you to receive even up to +40% extra credits.
Braking
Here, three options are available: ABS On, ABS Off, Assisted braking. We strongly suggest avoiding using assisted braking. The player cannot hone his skills with this option enabled, and won't improve his results. The assist won't allow you to make a perfect turn, only keeping you from falling out of it. However, remember that even with enabled ABS, with a certain configuration of the car, and for example braking on a slippery surface, or when the car is at an angle to the travel direction, you won't avoid a skid. Both options improve our rewards by +5% each when they are enabled.
Steering
You can choose from normal or simulation steering. You should start with simulation steering from the very first moment, as you may have a problem switching to it if you want to increase the difficulty level by changing this parameter. The optional normal steering is suggested for newbies that don't have any skill with using a driving wheel/ a gamepad. The difference in earnings for the simulation mode is only +5%.
Traction Control
TCS system prevents the wheels from blocking, regardless of the situation. Most players will probably enable this parameter, especially when driving powerful vehicles. However, remember to turn it off when you attempt a drifting task - it may be very helpful. Turn it off to receive +10% extra credits from a race.
Stability Control
The effect is similar to TCS system, but using a different method - no longer the drive is shut off from single wheels, as they are properly braked when the car starts to skid. We can say that his system activates in fewer cases, so it can be treated as smaller facilitation than TCS. Similarly as the above setting - it should be disabled when attempting to drift. Reward for disabling this option: +10%.
Shifting
Automatic transmission is the default option. If you want, you can switch to manual, which is common between more advanced players, as it allows for better control over the car. A third option is also available, only for the pros - manual transmission with a clutch. This mode can be especially spectacular if you have an adequate driving wheel and pedals. Enabling manual transmission adds +5% to your earnings, while another +5% is received for activating the clutch.
Driving Line
Driving lines are common in many racing games. If you lack confidence or you want to try if the chosen turning style is correct, you can use suggested driving lines. However, depending on the track and the vehicle, and especially during off-road driving, the lines may not show the best way. The line can encompass the whole track, or only braking zones. Turning each option will get you a +5% to your rewards, so in total +10% more credits.
Damage & Tire Tear
You can disable damage completely (for example, it is not comfortable to drive a car with a broken windshield using the camera from the driver's perspective) or enable only cosmetic damage (visual). Such option doesn't influence the car handling in any way. Activation of real damage introduces numerous effects: from tires, through suspension elements and braking system, up to the engine. The car is very easy to damage during driving, wearing it with even the smallest collisions, so if you prefer an aggressive driving style, you should probably disable damages. Enable Damage & Tire Tear to receive +10% more credits.
When you damage your car during a free ride, you need to return to the garage to have it fixed. However, you can use Photo Mode, where you can repair your car. Once you leave Photo Mode, the car will be in mint condition.
Rewind
It is one of the most powerful driving aid in the game, saving you from a lot of unpleasant situations, for example when after a long race, your enemy pushes you from the track just before the finish line. This option will allow you to stop and rewind the time to the moment just before the crash, and fix your mistake. As this is one of the most powerful driving aids, disabling this option is rewarded with +15% bonus to your earnings.