Well we have fane with +4 bartering and also my ranger friend with +5, for trading stuff.

Concerning the offline stuff that could work as a bandaid.

For the difficulty, we started off as Explorer, switched then back to classic because fights got to easy, later we switched back to explorer because of fights to hard. Or hard in the sense that it could be easier if the attack would be more tactically chosen and also with full party. Because most enemies attacking first the ranger due the glass Canon perk. Which leads to a tactical disadvantage when main DD and heal stands as far back as possible. Because they needed to catch up to the fight. At least thats my point of view.

And thx to the mod for enabling colors in OP.