In my most recent game, I moved up to Monarch difficulty from Prince. Everything else is the same: Aggressive AI, Raging Barbs (of course!), Huge map (that is the biggest, right?) - Fantasy Realm style, Marathon, and 18 civs. I must add, though, that I take off the EXP cap for barbs so I'll typically get a few units above 100 EXP before my first civ-vs-civ war.
Anyway, with this latest game I was a bit dissappointed with the Barbs. Sure, it was pretty dicey at the beginning, but I just made sure my (small) perimeter was manned at all times and I rarely had a problem. I'm in the mid-game now, and the barbs have started to step it up a bit with axemen and chariots, but it's still not a problem for most of us (just for the weaker civs that are still around).
In all my games, I have yet to see anything stronger than a barb chariot
so I'm surprised with the constant reports. This games looks like it'll last a bit longer, though, because of the difficulty level - so perhaps I'll see them later.
As for Orthus, in all of my games I've only met the lad personally on one occassion - and he was all alone. Every other time he's killed himself attacking some AI city. Oh, wait - I think that one meeting was in the original FfH, so I guess I shouldn't count that.
Stacks of up to 30? That would be a sight! The most I've seen was 4 on one tile . . .
- Niilo
P.S.: I can't wait until Acheron gets his wings. In my current game his city is surrounded by various civ's units, almost as if he's on display and they're selling popcorn.