Can't you also use food and potions when playing as yourself?
Agreed, the 4-button rotation is trivial, and I assume this means the devs compensate by making the mechanics more punishing. The problem isn't executing the rotation, it's dodging.
This of course is unironically a skill issue. But if the skill floor in these things at very easy is deemed acceptable by the devs, they should ensure that it works in all solo duties else a lot of people are going to be very peeved. There's clearly something different about Taking A Stand, and it's presumably the bugged very easy mode.