I would suspect Slayer that the reasons the missions are so hard is that the game programmers are trying to drive home a point.
Possible points:
1.) Team work. If you don't have it, you'll not get the crown in the RPG game. Non-team players will not get to the top. One of the major parts of this game is *not* the RPG side of it. The only purpose of the RPG side is to make you a better team player.. to build you up for the TOURNAMENTS. The many tournament battles I've been in it was obvious who was a team player and who wasn't. Good players/teams singled two types of players out at the beginning of each game. A.) Non-team players. B.) Support players like the monks/spell casters.. but especially the monks.
2.) Limitations of each class. This goes back to team work somewhat. If you(the PC) do not form a group with complementary skills.. I mean this litteraly by talking to each member of a new party and asking can you do this.. do you have that.. if this happens we counter like this or plan B is that.. etc... it can be setup next to impossible. I think they limit the henchmen on purpose for this reason. To make you the PC understand that once you hone your skills you need to strategize your play.
3.) You cannot complete this game alone without other people no matter how good you are with your class.
As an aside, I think you are good enough.. it's your team. I think that's what's holding you back. I wonder how many of your teammates even carries a REZ spell/signet to support with them being a monk subclass. When I do team missions.. I forget sometimes.
As soon as the rest of us catch up to you I suspect you'll pass this test you speak of with us being at your side for support.
-Eslayel/EIN
I hate using one of my 8 slots for that purpose.. I already have to keep one for the kitty rez/heal & control spells.