I didn't think the Mistlands was really any different from any other biome when you first go into it pre-nerf. I had fully upgraded padded armour and the new armour doesn't give much of a boost beyond that at level 2. Once I learned the attack patterns of the mobs, it really wasn't that difficult, you had to just be careful and poke your head in and have portals set up... You know.. the kind of thing the game has basically taught us to do.
You just had to avoid being completely overwhelmed but that stuff happened in the swamp, mountains, plains etc.

The Gjalls were annoying but hmm.. It was just like every mini boss in every biome you just say "uh oh" and avoid if you're not prepped for it. Now they're just so easy they're no longer a threat. Trolls were difficult right up until silver gear for me, even then if they caught you off guard during a raid they could destroy me. I don't know who whined to get it nerfed but I don't think it was necessary. Just be prepared and use all the skills you've learned since the beginning of the game.