I played the harder difficulty and found many fights up to the end challenging. I did not find much in uber equipment ( played party of four solo - i hear folks who play co-op are getting better equipment). Also money was scarce so I was only able to buy a few items. I found combat in d:os very easy for the most part of the hardest (but not honour) difficulty. So yea I think d:os-2 was much more difficult and required more in the way of 'luck' and positioning.
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If you play co-op or there are other methods to get uber equipment then you should note such in your comments here because part of pacing is the equipment available. I suppose classes also make a difference as well as build.