i started off on hard
you guys are a bunch of wimps... i started on hard and noticed lots of patterns to defeating enemies.
each were vulnerable to patterns and on certain boards, the author would make combos of enemies that made it harder to exploit shit.
however, here's my tips:
#1 - dedicate all gold and experience points to strength and shit to double your attack (get that top level hammer, it's great). you dont need anything but to kill quickly.
#2 - running and jumping kills lots of enemies... you literally run away til you got a gap to run back to and run jump groups at a time. it's slow, but works. works super fast when youre strength grows.
#3 - find weaknesses in your enemies - giants with long swords, clubs, and axes SUCK up close. they cant touch you. simply knock them down OR run high on screen, then get lower than them and close. keep swinging and they'll walk down right into you repeatedly. rinse and repeat over and over.
#4 - because bosses have sidekicks, it makes them harder. take out sidekicks that are designed to stop you from destroying bosses with exploits. even if that means using your super.
#5 - did i mention to know thy enemy? it's the best shit you can do.
finally, if you find you are getting owned too much... just keep repeating a board, cuz you keep XP.