Is Hard Mode seeming easier?

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this:

About a week ago, I was having a hard time at Fort Ranik and did not complete it. Just a few moments ago, I completed it without any casulties with the same build (which was all hero'd). The only thing I've changed is that I've put Dash on my skillbar. I've spoken to only two other people who agree that it's gotten easier.

So just curious, has anyone else noticed a decrease in Hard Mode difficulty?

Are you doing it with Hero/Hench or with humans? The AI update affected the former.

Me and my guildies been vanquishing Cantha (after Elona and some Prophecies) and we agreed it was too easy compared to the other maps.

Now it all makes some sense.
And the hero update was when we're still on Prophecies, so...
It might have gotten easier.

@Zinger: My third sentance stated that yes, I used heroes and henchies. However, my first attempt happened after the Hero AI update.

Also, I suspect that you just get better with dealing with more powerful mobs. I compare it to my first foray into the Realm of Torment. It seemed rather daunting and I got my rear-end handed to me. But, subsequent visits went much, much better.

I did North Kryta Province Hard Mode and had an awful time with those damn Fire Imps. Those damn things are murder if you get too many. They die easily enough but you have to kill them fast.

i find the skales worse, SS does 45 dmg, dont bring any melee ai next time >.<

speaking as a dervish*

The backline responds a bit better, but haven't really noticed much of a difference otherwise. You probably just got more used to HM and how it plays.

I dont think has got any easier you have just gotten more used to playing in Hard mode. Playing things for the 1st time always seem considerably harder than any following times eg. THK seems hard the 1st time you do it, every time after its as easy as a walk in the park.

Agreed here. You just adapted your play style to hard mode. I got that feeling too, after I got wiped by insects on Istan.... :P

Nah, I don't think it's getting any easier at all! stupid energy surge spike lol You just get used to hard mode now plus the heroes AI fixed make things a lot better.

I very rarely take any melee AI

I've never really found a use for it in Hard Mode.

But yes, my vote is with the fact that you just get used to Hard Mode. I noticed this with Cantha. I just got into a routine: Have Razah set up spirits...position Heroes...lure...Release teh Nuketastic power of my party. The more you do it the easier it becomes.

Well as far as farming goes, HM is should be called Gold Mode

haven't noticed any change from when it started, I agree with the others though, once you do a map its easier next time round, I still find Elona a pain, always easy to misjudge those roaming packs of beasties

No. It all same.

Congratulations, you became better player.

Many parts of HM I find very easy (speaking as a primary monk with heroes/hench). Others, like Thirsty River, are very difficult.

I guess anything that forces me to kill something in a limited amount of time is going to be difficult for me as I'm forced into a defensive role by default and can't efficiently managed the offensive field of play, but when it comes to Vanquishing areas I have it pretty simple.

Maybe as the drops get worse, the bad guys get dumber?

/conspiracy

I decided to do Elona first and now I am into Tyria and I have to say I was shocked at the difference in difficulty - Tyria is by far easier than Elona - so far. I am glad I got Elona out of the way for Vanquishing first.

I am finding it easier, but I think there are 3 reasons:

1. I'm out of the 4- and 6-person team areas, and back to doing missions with 8 people like I'm used to.
2. The 8-person team areas were already close to maximum difficulty, so the difference between normal and hard mode is not very dramatic.
3. I'm getting used to it.

Actually I think I am becoming a worse player. Vanquished 21 zones in Elona so far no problem and now I am stuck on several maps (Jahai swarm of stupid scribes and those level thirty groups of 10-12 heket in Wilderness, amoung other areas). I feel really stupid in saying it, but that is how it is. Guess I should play with others and not rely on h/h so much, but others seem to do it no problem.

Guess you are just a better player now. Congrats

I'm finding it easier too. My take is that, when I first played HM, it exposed some weaknesses in my build and how I was using the heroes. So I learned from that. Now both hard mode and normal mode is easier but I think that's a result of the changes I made.