Interesting. But, did you die at all during such a thing? I can't see how the inefficient shot gun was able to kill that boss on hard.

I did die. I hid near the back sniping the boss with the scout rifle and retreated to the stairs to reload and recover health and only used the shotgun to take out the vandals who decided to flank me.

I had used a fusion rifle with my Titan at level 3.3. I think I died ten times from vandals running up to melee me randomly. The rifle was a common item but it did the trick. I don't think I'd visit that or the mission after hive that has like thirty enemies you have to kill at level five... On hard mode first during release. I did it but I don't feel immersed when dying on hard numerous times trying to learn a mechanic. The moon was so terribly balanced though especially with the damn vehicles... But that's for tomorrow.

I'm pretty sure hard mode might be for a second run through as a bit higher level. Running through the hole game on hard and never playing the missions on normal would be quite the challenge and I'm pretty sure anyone pursuing that goal won't care to much about the emersion level. I hear everyone talk about how they weren't emersed into a game but I honestly just enjoy playing it. That's just my two cents though.