Like I said before, it seems like the main criticism from self-identified "hardcore" players is that combat is easy. Too easy.

I agree with that.

What I don't agree with is blaming the ease of combat on SE appealing to "casual" players. It's scapegoating. The fact that combat right now is stupid easy is not to appeal to casuals. It's simply because combat is just frelled right now. The development team is working on it.

If they succeed, only time will tell.