When I played the first time, I didn't know about hardmode until I've played with my friends via multiplayer. My first character was mediumcore and I was forced to recover my items after death. I died a few times, but I've recovered them in pre-hardmode, but when I was exploring a large cave and died because I got stuck and a Black Recluse killed me (these beasts deal about 90HP on contant), I lost my items deep underground. I tried to find them, but I couldn't get it because of the equipment that was a lower tier and I kept dying. I was annoyed and I removed my character, then I used my softcore character I used on netplay. Well, then I decided to not use mediumcore until I get more experienced or prepare myself better for Hardmode.