Imo, the Bronze Armor to Iron Armor jump is too large. The Swamp was very difficult for me to take any damage even with maxed Bronze, but with fully-upgraded Iron equipment, the Swamp was a cakewalk. (Although, with better food and poison resistance, perhaps the difficulty curve would have been much different, but new players don't know how to get those things.)

I think that the best pieces of Bronze gear should have 1-2 more armor apiece, and that would make the armor progression smoother.

As for your concerns, OP, you should defeat the Elder. Once you've done that, pick up some iron, and make a few upgraded pieces. While in the swamp, use bows, imo, until you become more survivable.