payn
Glory to Marik
In 3E/PF1 the fights could be variable. The players simply had more tools and options at their disposable. I admit, the gonzo buff and magic was a bit too much, but I feel like this is an overreaction. The enemies might have abilities or even immunities that make them difficult and you must overcome. In PF2, every severe/extreme encounter is difficult because the math makes it so. You are reduced to a few top options you specialize in (or reduces your spell list to those with inconvenient riders). On top of all that, you have a snowballs chance in hell of scoring a critical while its common for the enemy. Every. Single. Enemy.How valuable it is depends on how the difficult encounter is constructed. The less opponents there are, the more worthwhile it ends up being even if it fails a fair bit, because a you're still taking away an action from opponents who's individual actions are more dangerous.
I know, I know, my dink GM should be sending goblins at us at level 5+ so we can actually use more of our abilities and spell list. That is also not satisfying being reduced to punching infants to make a decent chance at critical or have a great spell effect. I know its psychological and PF2 is the bees knees for everybody, but I struggle with it.