I don't know if ppl require an easy mode. It is often complained about how hard normal mode is, yet often it seems quite easy to reach higher waves (until tank spawn >.<).
The issue is that even on a full server the quests are ignored. They do bring significant improvements. Nextg update will give more score for completing quests (for everyone and the one completing the quest) and tank will break easier.

Well on one of the rounds, the ballisa went right through the tank.

I'm actually afraid to do quests since on pub servers, people just kill the remaining bots instead of letting a guy go for the quest. Also kind of sucks how they can aggro to you if you're doing the hostage mission. I almost broke the cage with just one lock remaining but then a Rogue and a Skirmisher decided to ruin it for me...this was before the latest update so there wasn't any F1 back then. The quest to push the cart into the well, is rather hard with the catas targetting you. No point in even trying unless you're an MAA, you really need the dodge in order to avoid getting hit by it (but sometimes even dodge doesn't work and you still get hit).

During such a quest the trebs fire far less often. And u get score for every 2 seconds u push that cart to compensate for the danger. I would say it is worth it, especially after next update when the score rewards for quests increase.
Where the MAA fails the Knight takes over :P
But I agree that some more teamwork would help a lot for questing. You certnainly cant manage at the beginning of a new wave...