I've been playing most recently as the HRE. This is with "Gold", hard setting, and in the late period (I think, keep getting this confused - the middle one). Its listed as moderate difficulty but, so far, has been more difficult then any of those listed as hard in the early period. The lateness of being able to build fleets and an economy (even though I am the "richest" most of the time) not up to the number of troops needed to guard such a central position seems to be at fault. I'm think I'm on my fifth try now. I was perhaps going to win in the last try but, alas, even though all of my garrison and army leaders had at least five loyalty, the what should have been a very temporary loss of two territories put me in to civil war and that was that. So, I am wondering, do others also feel that "moderate difficulty" is a bit off or is perhaps my style of play just not a good match for the empire?