Well,
1) you complain about that poor recruits does not pull their weight? That is a given. Find beter ones, they come at low levels, that keeps curve in check.
You want to play veteran and want it to be easier? Just play normal than. I want NG+, to make expert even more brutal.
2) why do you want to make parts of the world even less attractive, currently its worth its time to farm as far away as youbcan handle, to get sweet, sweet famed loot.
