As a total beginner I also started with the balanced mode and finished that way. You can always temporarily switch to expplorer mode when you hit a boss-fight that you can't handle.( Your party then basically doubles its hitpoints to give you an easier time) afterwards you can reset to balanced.
Note : if you run in explorer mode, you're not allowed to multiclass when you level up.
Or you go Custom mode, select Explorer rules and Multiclass.
