For those who like to set difficulty to a whole new level, this will be your toughest play through testing your bravery, knowledge and survival skills.

I tuned these 9 mods to create a challenging and long, but also fun and exiting experience that I like playing myself.
The mods used are:
- Radiation Challenge
- Customize your spawns
- Custom Craft 2
- SN Hardcore plus
- Q Creature Config
- Refillable Oxygen Tanks
- Creatures Flee less
- Explosion Time
- Power Modifier
(QMod and SML Helper required)

The file for you to download contains a folder called "QMod" which contains folders for each mod with a config/setting file.
After you made a backup of your QMod folder and removed all mods not used for this challenge* install all mods you don't have yet.
Now copy the config files from the folder provided by me over to the corresponding folders in your Q mod folder.

I've made a short video showing the installation and setup process you can find in the "Videos" section of this mod page :)

*you can of cause have further mods installed if you like.

You could dive in the game blindly but you should quickly read some further rules and what all these mods do (with these confis installed)

Radiation Challenge forces you to have setup a base below -50m when the aurora explodes, which will happen after 90 minutes (set by explosion time mod) If you are not in your base below that depth the explosion will kill you. Dying in this challenge means you reload your last save point. Saving is allowed inside your base and life pod. Furthermore the radiation (after explosion) in the air makes the the surface air unbreathable, prevents crafting food & water in the lifepod and you will need an radiation suite (blueprint unlocked).
Refillable Oxygen Tanks adds a new crafting option to the fabricator, which fills the tanks, it's not automatic anymore.
Custom Craft 2 provides more complex and expensive Recipes. You should start a game in creative and look especially at the recipes of basic resources, electronics, personal tools and equipment, because you will have to deal with them quite a lot in the first 90 minutes of time pressure.
the only thing I would like to point out is the Builder tool requiring 2 Lithium ingots, as this key to surviving the explosion.
No exterior grow beds sorry!

This is the most important stuff. In the last paragraph I will give you some hints that don't spoil much, but maybe help avoiding frustration.

I'm open for feedback, maybe I'll improve upon the config files, and upload a new version sometime in the future.

If you are a real survival expert you can take on my special challenge: It is not allowed to take a medkit from the medkit fabricator in the lifepod, and the 6 items in the storage container can't be used (drop them in the water). The aurora explodes after 60 minutes (set the "Time" in the Explosion Time config file to 60)
Bonus challenge: not allowed to enter life pod after explosion. (need a fabricator in your base)

Big Thanks to all the Mod creators.

In Version 1.1.2 the Cyclops is now actually craftable.

Hints & Tips
Like I already mentioned, you need 2 Lithium in order to craft the builder, think where (biome) you can get them the easiest way. Maybe explore a bit in creative if you struggle to come up with something.
Warpers only attack you after you get infected (voice message says you should perform a self scan)
You can carry additional oxygen tanks with you and swap them to be underwater longer, just make sure they are refilled...
You can save and quit to main menu to see how much time you have been playing/ how long you have before the aurora explodes.
When you have a sea moth you should try to get the repair tool as soon as possible, also a moon pool is great at charging the moth up.
Getting a flare is a cheap way of lighting which enables you to be also productive during the night, which is important in a race against the clock.
Keep yourself healthy by always having high food and water saturation, med kits are expensive.
Crash fish and stalkers are a big threat, but are not that good at swimming turns.
Caves are rich on quartz and silver, which are the most important items early on.
Plan ahead on what you need, storage space (and time) is limited
You probably notice creature spawns are modified, may include big fish as well.
Don't forget to save, ....