Handgunners in Expert difficulty games

[General Dazza]

I don't mind the AI getting some advantages in strategy games, as the human has plenty of natural advantages. I like a really good challenge, so for me gameplay has to be challenging.

The times I don't like the AI getting advantages is when the game makers just give the AI large troop numbers or whatever - things that don't make it more interesting, just more time consuming.

I think MTW is nicely balanced though, so doesn't suffer from that too much.

Ironside - I can't remember much more now - I didn't have a full FMAA unit, but neither did the archers. Mine were tired and had probably routed shortly before. But I do remember yelling "you've got to be kidding me!" at the screen.

Hey - one other thing I noticed in this battle and a few others shortly before/after, and I'm not sure if it's an Expert thing - I had at least 3-4 battles where a little bit of rain meant that my troops were close to exhaustion before they even got to the enemy. Granted, they were your full metal uniform army, but the rain wasn't that bad. They were largely field battles with no hills. By the time my army had marched up to be close, most were one 1-2 bars. Very frustrating, as within a short time the raised valour of the other army, and the exhaustion of mine had mine routing, even though I had the better quality army.

Not sure if I just haven't noticed it before, or if on expert you get any penalties?

[Agent Miles]

Except for the AI morale and combat bonus, you start with only 4000 florins. Other than these, I haven't read about an exhaustion penalty. I think that some things that people complain about, like general's hit ponts and exhaustion, aren't affected by difficulty level.
I am an advocate of saving your battles. You can then replay them at your leisure and better check what is actually happening. This is also a good learning tool. For instance, if you stopped short of the AI army in a good defensive position, like on a hill, then you could rest your force and attack when they are back to three or four bars. That's what I do.

[Martok]

Hey - one other thing I noticed in this battle and a few others shortly before/after, and I'm not sure if it's an Expert thing - I had at least 3-4 battles where a little bit of rain meant that my troops were close to exhaustion before they even got to the enemy. Granted, they were your full metal uniform army, but the rain wasn't that bad. They were largely field battles with no hills. By the time my army had marched up to be close, most were one 1-2 bars. Very frustrating, as within a short time the raised valour of the other army, and the exhaustion of mine had mine routing, even though I had the better quality army.

Not sure if I just haven't noticed it before, or if on expert you get any penalties?

Agent Miles is correct. The only bonuses/penalties on Expert are the player starting with less money and the AI receiving the valour/morale bonus. Exhaustion still works the same way.