Okay, forget what i said earlier. When you get new units, ALWAYS USE THEM IN THE BATTLE YOU GOT THEM IN. If used right, they'll make your battles a lot easier no matter what difficulty your on.
Hardened mode is seriously tough, and like impossible. I can't get very far in the third level, as they seriously outnumber you to where it's impossible.
When you raise your level up to 100, you get your first star and you will be returned to level 1. You get your second star by raising the level to 110, then the third from 120 and so on, but you will always go back to level 1 when you get a star.