Yes, I should say veteran players not hardcore. When I play on beginner level, I expect to learn the game and be able to finish it as I learn so I can eventually get to the next level. When this game first came out I had to restart about 10 times on beginner’s until finally after several patches it was winnable on beginner. I put the game aside for a few months and let it cook. I came back and played another beginner game to see what had changed and I was loving it until the final mission where I have given up now because I don’t want to go back and start leveling up a technician when the strategy I like to use is no longer viable.
They need to add a research item that tells you “Hey, after studying all this other stuff we realize you’re going to need a highest level technician to heal all the wounds we’re going to take on the final mission.” That way you don’t have to play the game to the end to find out you’re screwed if you didn’t do that. I never leveled up a technician because I didn’t enjoy using them as much as other classes.
I love the mechanics of battle in PP but XCOM2 is still my game. I started on the easiest level and now play at the hardest level for a real challenge. And many combos of player classes can win the final mission.