I'm with Niob and Gimli. Try playing on normal until Arnika, then switch over.
It also depends on how large your party is.
I've started a bunch of 4-person parties on expert, and boy, is there a difference between similar parties from one game to the next! I battled countless slimes in the lower monastery this time (I hate the games that spawn a gazillion slimes). EVery time I turn a damn corner there's a group of six or more slimes.
I could probably start it over and do better, but once I start I tend to stick with the game. But I'm not above dropping back to normal if it's taking me too long to get through the monastery, though. I'm playing for fun, not to make a lifetime career out of getting out of there!
