Game is tougher than i expected. Granted, i'm trying a difficulty above normal for the first time... ever, but chapter 1 leaves you no space whatsoever before the enemies just start swarming you, and nobody on your side is any good at all, except Frederick the obvious Jeigan

Got my game today as well. Lemme just say....

THAT PRODUCTION VALUE

It may be because I played the demo a LOT, but I am not having a hard time playing Hard mode.  I've been kicking a lot of ass with Frederick, Kellam, Chrom, and the custom character.  Pairing up can do you lots of good, and I also found some really great weapons (one that guarantees a double strike, which sometimes lets me attack four times).  I'm not that far, though, so it probably gets harder eventually.  Only level 4 so far.

the 3DS is worth buying alone for this game

Pair up the Jeigan with whoever is going to be on the front line (usually Chrom/Tactician). It's a huge help, and the Jeigan can finally be incredibly useful without soaking up everyone's EXP.

Also, come to accept that the Tactician is pretty mediocre, a la Michiah. Or maybe my stat rolls are just being unlucky so far.

You're right on the first part. I should learn to use the new tactical tools better.

My tactician is Def up and Speed down, figured a tankier semi-mage would be useful.

I'm rolling with the Tactician as my main mage at this point, already my highest leveled character at 18, next one is Chrom at 13 at Chapter 7. But then again, that close to the cap, I maybe heading for a plateau soon.

Pairing up characters is a must but once they start working in tandem it can be great, adding some random hits at times up to 4 in one go or counter is glorious to behold. But dangerous as Sully and my Tactician killed a boss that I was only trying to bait for a weaker character.

played up to chapter 4 on hard and never used Frederick once and surprisingly he was never attacked either. I just use him as a shield. I think playing the demo on lunatic mode so many times sharpened my skills.

Wow... just wow... Fire Emblem is selling gangbusters on the NA eShop. It already outsold Paper Mario: Sticker Star. The game is currently number 19 on the 3DS download software charts and still number 1 on the Recent Releases charts three days straight.

Also, I'm loving this game. Simply fun to play.

On chapter 12, Hard + Classic.  I wish I could get Master Seals faster.  >.>

This game has a nice difficulty.  Insanity is looking to trump RD's Hard Mode diffculty.