i played through the whole OP and headstart, and I was also hit with the "nerfgun" and really I like it better. I have 5 friends playing and none of them are really having any crippling issues, although one would like to get rid of the most recent power, but it is crazy expensive (a whole different issue they are working on). Personally I adore the new added difficulty. In OB and Headstart combined I only died twice the whole time I played, and after playing with the patches last night I died at least 3 times, which is awesome.

I love having to think "will this get me killed" when i walk into a fight, and many times I still plow through enemies, I just have to do it faster and with more consideration for my health bar. I love it.