I find Tactician difficulty fine. I generally can get through encounters first time, but without savescumming I had major problems with Balthazar, Gortash, parts of the Creche, saving the Gondians and saving Orin's victim. To name a few. Heck even Githyanki patrol needed a retreat, rez and try again.
One thing I don't like is excessive buffing HPs and numbers in general because it starts to get incredulous.
My Tav with 100hp and Str18 is causing all manner of upsets to the Absolute's plans yet there are ranking Banites with 120hp and Str21? Surely such powerful foes could counter my actions. The immersion starts to suffer if numbers balloon.
One idea for taking difficulty to the next level. Have semi-random counterstrikes?
Have a counter measuring faction interaction and ideally another measuring likelihood of finding the camp. So if you hit the Banites too often and they learn you're staying at the Blushing Mermaid, they hit you. Ideally after you've expended resources.
This doesn't affect existing encounters but adds anxiety about expending resources. Unfortunately, it might just result in even more long resting - and camp supplies mean little once Heroes Feast is learnt.
