Thanks. attack buffs in this game works as 1.x, 1.3x, 1.45x damage multipliers, which is pretty good and i used the buffs during the story for example 58:20 or during the battle against majima etc, but at some points during the dlc, I considered it unnecessary because i was overpowered. When you have all "passive skills high" and you have all maxed jobs, bounds, kiwami weapons and you wear the best equipments ( i don't know the names in english) for your best class, you can increase the some very high damage of magic, combos, physical damage and increase evasion and other stats something that in 7 was limited. For example: for the chef class, by upgrading one of the kiwami weapons ( i don't the name in english) to the maximum, your damage is basically 1.2, that should be patched, also consider that also poundmates are already op enough in this game.

There's not a difficulty option for the story modes in soldiers souls...although there is one for VS battles Easy/Normal/Hard, plus health handicaps for each player. This is a run for trophies anyway. Also, from my little experience.. you can also play on hardest difficulty in any game, but it doesn't guarantee safe "views", it all depends on the algorithm, social sharing etc.