What does campaign difficulty do?

[Gabeed]

If I pump up the game difficulty to Hard or Very Hard, what exactly does that do? I've seen in another thread that vaguely explains that you get more crappy events, and it's harder to grab claims (more prestige is required). Is that all? I want to stick with a challenging but "fair" setting, so if the AI lords are arbitrarily aided in some way (their vassals are more loyal than my vassals, or something), I'd rather stay at Normal difficulty.

 

[jordarkelf]

Difficulty raises costs to claim titles, and lowers rewards in events -- for everyone. The AI gets the same advantages or disadvantages, except of course it never goes bankrupt (in all difficulties).

It's really skill related. If you want the biggest challenge, play on the highest difficulty. With the lower settings you can steamroll over Europe and the Levant, creating or grabbing all titles, within a century and a half.

 

[unmerged(84239)]

Difficulty raises costs to claim titles, and lowers rewards in events -- for everyone. The AI gets the same advantages or disadvantages, except of course it never goes bankrupt (in all difficulties)

I'm not sure about that.

I think the grab claim cost is the same for the AI in every difficulty level.


Try it: Start as a rebellious duke (the saxons under Willie the bastard are good for this). Your title will be claimed by Bill roughly during the same time, not depending on difficulty setting.
At least this is my experience, it can be a coincidance.

 

[Hawkeye1489]

Although, I have heard that at the higher settings, the AI will go berzerk and realms will collapse all around you...

 

[jordarkelf]

Thatś AI aggression, the other setting.
I recommend not setting this to normal or higher if you want to avoid patchwork maps and eternal suicide wars.

 

[Gabeed]

Yeah, I'm quite happy with VH difficulty, Coward AI now. The obscenely high prestige cost for grabbing titles is a plus; it gives a lot more actual incentive to go on a Crusade, and reflects the somewhat relative political deadlock in Europe, stopping blitzkrieging.