Difficulty settings - any difference?

[unmerged(570)]

Does anyone know what the real differences are between the various difficulty settings? I’ve been trying them all, to the hardest setting, but I can’t figure out what’s actually getting harder.

Is it impossible to change the difficulty settings within a game, even though the game says you’ve changed it to a harder level?

 

[unmerged(548)]

Harder = less cash at the start of the game.
Other then that I'm not sure if there is anything else. Anyone ?

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/ Stefan Huszics

 

[Johan]

Yes, all probabilities for success gets modified.

 

[unmerged(477)]

Not to be picky, but what really if just not the starting money?

The chace for settlers to succeed?
The diplomatic status at start, and the effects of actions?
Any modifiers to combat?
The lenght needed for a vassal to be annexed?
Troops from the beginning?

Mormegill

 

[unmerged(430)]

Johan, is Normal the one where you're at equal footing with the computer players?