I actually prefer the math of Balanced play through. I don't like seeing HPs inflated and numbers up the wazoo. It's borderline ridiculous seeing Banite paladins with stats that put my MC to shame. With those scores they should be the protagonist, not my chump. So for me, a harder difficulty with numbers inflating even further is a turn off.

Tactician is hard enough for me. It's satisfying too. However, it needs to be said that it collectively adds many more hours to play.

Probably my biggest concern is that any increased difficulty will force cheese-builds and effectively _reduce_ viable character choices. I had Jaheira a Ftr6/Dru6 with Str18 and Wis14 on tactician, which was more a RP build, and she contributed fine. (Better than fine, thanks to OP items.) If we're all forced into the usual Sorlocks or 1/1/10 builds, it's not worth it.

I'd want restrictions on higher difficulties:

- Save restrictions, e.g. a maximum number of say 20, can't use in combat/dialogue
- Less magic items, dial it back say 25-50% especially potions, scrolls and rares+, gosh even consider attunement in the form of maximum 3 very rares+
- Limit haste to an extra bonus attack or similar action
- Increasing cost of respec'cing, e.g. 100gp per level.
- Reinforcements? maybe adding 1-2 midway through encounter

The thing is, just looking at this short list, much of it I can implement already in my own game. I'm on my second play through and I try to avoid potions of speed.