I don't know, inspired by this I actually started a new game on latest version, with vanilla settings (experienced, WF maps, but I delete all of the guns found on maps to simulate vanilla maps better), and it's, well, even more meh than I remembered. While the beginning is kinda crappy as only my two IMPs had any semi decent weaponry (read, not a pistol), it's still very easy to push progress to 10

On the other hand, at this point when I control whole of Drassen(not that hard with smallish default counterattack on experienced, I think that 40 blue militia would have defended it even without me) and half of Cambria, opponents still have 99% pistols only, and they are absolutely no threat whatsoever.

Novice		24
Experienced	40
Expert		60
Insane		96

Now, some of that might be due to the nature of WF maps or the "new" progress calculation which probably slows down the general progress unless you move it up artificially by "exploring" lots of uninteresting sectors just to push it up that way.

In the end, the problem now appears even harder to me. How to make the early NCTH game more palatable for people who kinda skip the strategic part of the game and just rush into combat, while not making it insultingly easy for people who use other tools that the game gives us at this point (get better equipment in San Mona, drag some militia with you, make a night op team for early game, whatever, the game has so many options).