[Chaos]

After going a round with low-level solo grinding on a mage (who does NOT have a legend journal), I find the 'enemies have too much HP' argument even less sensible than before. I have trashed an entire level 10~12 dungeon (which I entered at level 9), only left once to grab pickaxes, destroyed the boss fight without ever taking damage in about 5 or so turns, and walked out at level 26. With or without spells, enemies are getting trashed quite easily, and even the massive amount of HP that a Dungeon Boss gets does not stop them from getting stomped.

I also question whether people are taking advantage of enemy movement/skill sets, or just run in at full steam and expect to be the unstoppable force.

If you're hoping to blaze through with a tank, I don't see it as unnatural that they take so long; when your build is meant to outlast before any sort of outpacing, you are going to run into drawn-out fights by principle. If you don't want to run into that issue? Team up with some powerhouse or two and play the shield to their sword.... or play offense for the grind and then grab a Fruit of Fluidity for your actual build.
....or grab mercenaries.
....or start using bear/pit traps.