Is there any difference between using play.hellcore.net vs mc.hellcore.net? My local internet provider had a DNS outage today and mc.hellcore.net wouldn't resolve.

They both lead to the exact same main player pool! play.hellcore.net and alt.hellcore.net are alternate direct mirrors set up specifically so players can still connect if their regional ISP has DNS resolution problems with the primary domain.

I switched my server list entry to play.hellcore.net and loaded right back into my original lobby without losing any stats or party links. Good to know there are backup IPs.