So LW Rebalanced is tougher than LW1 ?
You would probably feel that way initially.
It probably IS, too, but mostly you'll need to adapt to a different style.
You'll need engineers, penetrating weapons and other stuff when the time comes or you'll be done.
Chryssalids are truly freakin' terrifying, you will NOT be happy when they appear on screen.
Some changes you might not like (like berserkers being immune to Chem Grenades, for instance).
Tools, rules and classes are very different in several spots.
I was thinking of playing Rebalanced hoping it would fix few things I didn't like about LW1:
1. Air combat is too irritating as they made it too random
2. Game is too long, I would only stand to try to play LW1 with that dynamic war option
3. Combat is too much based on moving square by square and setting overwatch traps for enemies.
1. Air Combat is immensely better. Now that I'm getting the gist of it I'm finding myself having fun even with that one, occasionally.
2. I'm afraid game length will be more or less the same. But a lot of things have been rebalanced FOR a different, challenging late-game experience.
3. You definitely won't be moving square by square. The pods mechanics have been ENTIRELY reworked. Most of the time, they work nicely now, and "naturally".
(might be a TAD too brutal on terror missions). Also you can only steady your weapons when enemies are around, and this discourages that kind of behavior.
But mostly you'll have to face
fatigue for missions that drag on too long. You do NOT want that, because that's more injury time. You'll want to clear the field fast.
Anyway, you can use MELD to partially heal a single soldier now, so that balances it a little.
A lot of changes go in the direction of more dynamic confrontations. The mod gives a lot to the Aliens but it isn't afraid to improve your tools as well when it's called for.
4. There are a lot of Ease of Use modifications, too. If anything, I might list THESE under the disadvantages, because it might mean I won't dare straight LW again.
Seriously, I know it's long, but try reading through the Mod description page.
It's very long and detailed, but you'll see how the mod tackles various issues that you surely have frustratingly experienced yourself, and you'll see how you like its approach.