I've been playing this game quite a bit since I have gotten it. The single player version of this is extremely challenging. Its easy to get over run and I only win about 1/3 of the game I play.

When playing with two players the game seems to get way too easy. I've played around 4 games with two players and we've won all of them easily (we've had only one space marine die in each game). With one extra squad and only one more genestealer per yellow triangle spawn (and an extra location) the game seem much less challenging. Are we just getting really lucky or is anyone else finding this?

I'm 12-7 overall (was 5-4, then went down 5-7, now on a 7-game win streak), 2-1 in 2-player, leaving 10-6 for solo (all with 3 teams). Worst of times in 2-player is "They're Everywhere" Event (spawn 1 GS in front of each Marine not engaged with a swarm), especially after two or so of the teams used their Attack this round and you cleared the formation. Suddenly there is a host of nasty GS attack rolls to follow (most of the time). Even 1GS swarms kill a Marine 1/3 of the time. Should probably mention we use random teams (in solo I random three teams and use the other three the next game).

I really can't tell if 8 marines result in an easier game, but for sure, the more marines you have, the less important is an early casualty.

the first turns are often decisive, because at that time, you cannot really rely on support token, and random can easily harm the marines teams, I mean.

Assuming that it's easier to continue a 12 marines mission with 10 terminators then a 6 marines mission with 4 terminators, maybe the game is easier with more space marines... as long as you lay alone (with a single mind).

A 12 marines team controled by 6 players will probably have problems of efficiency at a time or another, and that will probably give balance to the game difficuly.

I'm playing with my brother and we played three times - one solo game and two times a two player one. All times we were beaten, crushed and eaten by the Genestealers and yes, we are playing strictly by the rules. So in my opinion the game isn't easy at all, it's rather the opposite

The only change to the rules we use is a random choice of Space Marines, because we think it's more challenging and more fun.

For now it's the hardest game I've ever played, and I've played many games in my life...

But this is a challenge, and we'll finally win, I'm sure!

Alchemist I think you hit the nail on the head. The spawn numbers don't increase very much at all from the solo game to the two-player game but you're getting a 33% increase in marines. So I suspect that the 2P game is easier as long the players cooperate effectively. The spawn numbers look a bit more worrisome in the games with three to six players though. Perhaps they are better balanced.