So, what level of difficulty are folks playing at?

[MarkShot]

20% through my first game playing on EXPERIENCED(+1) as Rome. Although I am getting a sense that it is probably too easy. I have to admit that when frontage or terrain do not favor my Roman army, then I export to FOG2 and fight it out at LEGATE(+1) ... this is a bit of an exploit. But still I so far haven't found the game too difficult or the AI overly aggressive (meaning Empires) when compared to RTW1/RTW2 or EU4.

So, I am curious at what level you are playing at and why?

Thanks!

[Yarev]

for me i start at lev 3 diff because the early/mid game is a bit difficult but then i change the settings to a more difficult depends who I play

[Gray Fox]

Experienced.

[Simonas]

Experienced.

[MarkShot]

At EXPERIENCED, so far, I have found the AI not to be aggressive.

I remember RTW1, the rule was we share a border, I must declare war on you.

In some ways, it did model Roman history as the Romans were always distrustful of their neighbors. What's the best way to deal with "border anxiety"? Invade them. The problem is until you reach the sea, you run new neighbors and anxiety creating neighbors!

[Faultierasai]

i play on suicide, but it is to easy. I´m looking for opponents.

[Vadim84]

After a hiatus of several months, I restarted with Egypt on difficult.

Game improved a lot, still not really understanding how money is tracked (says +20 next turn, got +1, says -10, got another value etc) but differential is minimal, and thus did not impact my playthrough.
Really enjoying the new diplomatic options, it brings a lot. Also the objective mechanism has improved. Noticed that IA isnt that aggressive, only two declarations of war against me (+ some against my allies) in 130/150 years.

The only thing I can really complain about is that Makedonia doesnt really recruit phalange, I had a war with them, Makedonia was mostly a naval power so it was basically on sea(all good, was fun) but the few land battles where Pto Phalanges against Make mix armies of hoplites and thracian-type units. Maybe 2 Phalange maximum whereas they are supposed to be the "national unit", so to speak. Frustrating but well, not turning me off.

Had some difficulties with curving decadence for the first few decades but once I solved this I started to get the lead. Now mid-game, empire, lots of resources and can pretty much crash any big power if I decide to go full steam against my opponent. Will wait for the jewish revolt event, destroy or reduce Rome + what s left from Makedonia and will probably call it a day.

Next could be Rome on difficult or Dacia (difficult or exp. level).