Highest "enjoyable" level?

[erkki]

In my current game at prince level things are going too easily, so it's maybe one or two level higher.

 

[neriana]

By "really enjoyable", I mean a level giving you a good but not insurmountable challenge, while requiring very little MM, no exploits whatsoever (tech jumping, pre-chopping...), no twisted strategies (gambits, slingshots) and of course no restarting-until-I-get-stone-and-marble.

What do you mean by "tech jumping"?

I enjoy slingshots and micromanaging. Don't know what "gambits" are in this particular context, but I bet I enjoy them too. So, the only way to answer your question for me is to ignore your qualifiers, and my answer is: Noble. Probably won't ever go higher either, I don't care to treat the game as work.

 

[Oggums]

I'm going to say Monarch has the best mix of fun/challenge, without needing heavy micromanagment and tricks or exploits.

I've beat Emperor, but you really have to enjoy getting "serious" about the game at that level or higher. To some players it's fun to meticulously manage everything, but I just call it tedious.

 

[autocon]

monarch, noble too easy, emperor don't even think of trying with my current skills