I think one of the things they could do is to make incoming damage to be for the most part gravity based. Say flat X number + large % of the max HP (like 70% or so). On the week one/min Ilvl that would leave you with 15% hp left. As you get better gear, flat damage value would affect you less, but the value % of your max HP would increase and the damage the party and tank take is still significant.