While I've been been having trouble soloing, I tend to agree with your appraisal of the cons to toughness. I don't mind it being challanging, as long as it's equitable for all.
The problem I have, more precicely, is that when I talke to just about any other class in my guild (enchanters, guardians, templars, palidans, inquisitors, etc), they are completly suprised at the difficulty. As an example, I've recently fallen behind with my main XP partner. The reason is that he, as a guardian, was soloing yellow and orange mobs for yellow solo quests where as I, with the above mentioned battle risks, was constantly evacing and collecting debt (eventually, after two deaths, I quit so it wasn't that much, but still).
The problem, in summary, is that even if our soloing experiance is what is desired, we are the ONLY one that is 'fixed'. Whether they intend it or not, the made it *no* fun to play solo. Every time I find I'm in a close battle with a blue, or about to die to a white, I think 'If only I was a bezerker, I wouldn't have this problem. I could get XP.' And that thought, I think everyone can agree, is an awful one.