Let me tell you the consequences of Hard setting for campaign map, as Spain. You all know, of course, that the Spanish Empire starts with that "freak of nature" king that gets you something like -20 prestige and -4 management... or something.

It's now 1730 and, by God, everybody hates my guts, I get DOW'ed basically every year by any faction bored enough, I can't get any decent trade agreement, not without heavily paying in techs, as I don't make more than 3K/turn.

A major part of my income comes from capturing enemy ships and selling techs (though this one is tricky, only a few would accept).

I've been sea-invaded by GB, UP, Maratha. Portugal is gone, France busted by Savoy (which, obviously, is at war with me). I manage to get 2-3 years of peace in exchange for some region, then they DOW again. I cannot field more than one army in the Americas and one in Europe. My fleet consists of six 5 rates, in 3 separate stacks (and a few tradeships in some theaters).

My goal was to keep the absolutist monarchy until that freak would finally die, but I've had enough. I'm starting a revolution and switching to republic.

I'm telling you, this has been the most exhausting (prestige) campaign yet. I'm like a plumber trying to stop a river with a sifter.

It's sort of fun