I have a buddy who soloed the first two nightfalls. This week and last week, I did the nightfall and the weekly with just one other person. I completed a Vanguard Tiger (lvl 24) strike entirely by myself (the one with the 3 psion guys at the end). If you're so damn concerned about it, just go at your own pace, and by the time you reach the end boss, it'll almost be dead. Plus, it means more drops for you! There, problem solved, discussion over. It's the best of both worlds.