i just made my way through chapter 1 also. i had my team completely wiped out against wiegraf.I gained 1 level for everyone,came back and oblitherated them.Fort zeakdon was really easy for me,for some reason algus wanted to dash at me.The other knights and stuff were tough,but when algus was next to me and a wizard cast a spell on me,i would jump on him,spell hitting him with about 60 and jump at 18. 2 of those and it was over.

I had a very rough time. Even the random battles became very tough.It would take a hit from every single party member to kill 1 monster, and it would take like 7-8 hits for an armored person. i would give this about an 8.5/10

As soon as i hit chap. 2 and got the weapon for my lancers,it was like 1 hit jump, or 2 attacks to kill a single monster.

i may have made a mistake at the beginning by getting dragon spirit for all my characters.It saved me a few times,but i probably wouldnt have been in that predicament if i had a higher jump skill. I had 1 death at zeakdon,my weakest lancer by a wizard.