I totally agree. There's a mod out by Plutoman101 that adds some features to mobs that increases the difficulty, spell casters with heals and every humanoid with potions. It seems to be the start of what we're both looking for. And to the original topic, once I get around to finishing the game I plan to have a play-through under Hardcore mode rules where I only have one life and if I die I'd have to restart at the beginning.