Differences between Normal and Hard

[Shamus]

Does anyone know the differences between Normal and Hard difficulties? I have read the beginners guide in this forum, and the only difference I could see between the two is the amount of florins you get at the beginning of the game, and the combat effectiveness of the AI factions. Are there any other differences between Normal and Hard?

[katank]

I think it's about all.

you get 6k and the AI gets +15% combat bonus which is about 37.5% of a valour upgrade.

they also get somewhat smarter on the tactical map IIRC.

nothing much though.

at least they don't get crazy +4 morale like in expert.

[motorhead]

See Frogbeastegg's MTW Guide (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=34;t=17055) and scroll down to the section on difficulty levels. Basically what katank said, but the AI behavior is spelled out in more detail.

[Shamus]

Quote[/b] (motorhead @ May 21 2004,20:34)]See Frogbeastegg's MTW Guide (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=34;t=17055) and scroll down to the section on difficulty levels. Basically what katank said, but the AI behavior is spelled out in more detail.
That was the beginners guide I read.

So there isn't a huge differece between the two. Interesting to note.

[katank]

actually these differences are already fairly significant.

at 6k, you already have to start pinching florins a bit and manage your economy instead of randomly building stuff.

the combat bonus also means that you have to maneuver and not just slam fairly equal units together and slug it out.

expert is by far the bigger leap though with even more economy management and also the crazier combat bonus.

I would perpetually vacillate between expert and hard as I sometimes just get sick of the +4 morale on expert which causes even peasants to reapeated rally

try modding it to have different florin levels though.

hard with 4k starting should be a good compromise.

[Mightypeon]

I noticed that it gets harder to bribe rebels on hard and especially on expert. It also seems that the AI is more likely to attack you.
I also think that the skills of new unit commanders are slightly worse.
However, extremly dumb AI moves happen all the time.
A major thing is that the combat bonus propably applies to sea battles too, I have never won a single Barque vs Barque thing on expert, in fact I have repeadidly lost 2 byzantine Warships to one Dhau.

If you want a challenge, go for mesmod. The new and pretty intense naval battles add a new dimension to the game, although I do not like the ott rebellions. (Peasant Rebbelion means 3-6 Halberds with Arbalests coming at you, rebelling Cristain are a Crusade and a loyalist rebellion in frnace can effecitvly double their total army strength in the early campaign.)