[quote=Nivv]I had to restart because you apparently cannot change difficulty once changing to tactician mode. To be clear, there was no warning beforehand that it would lock me into it.[/quote]

It is a bit dumb that you can't change difficulty mid game. I'd be surprised if they didn't change that.

Tactician mode feels pretty balanced to me, though. It is hardest at the start, but if you avoid conflict and search around for gear (there is plenty to pick up) then it's not too bad. There is also the trouble of walking into fights that are a higher level than you while you're still learning the areas, but usually fleeing is an option. I'm about halfway through Act 2 and haven't had to retry a fight in a long time - since maybe the middle of Act 1. That's not a gloat for my epeen, just a point of reference that it is doable.

Different party setups definitely make it easier or harder more than Tactician mode does IMO. I'm running 3 phy and a support mage, so I can use phy CC constantly. With 2 phy and 2 mag, I think it would be far more difficult to get through either phy/mag shield. Still doable, but I bet that's where a lot of you are getting frustrated.

For those saying that buffing the AI != increased tactics.. I just don't understand. On normal you can basically chew through enemies without planning your moves, but with the stronger enemies on Tactician mode you have to be... tactful. What other approach would you suggest? It's basically the best of all the feasible options I can think of.