Bard Defense Question

[leFuZz]

Hey all,

I'm 37 right now on my bard, and I feel like blue-con mobs tear me apart when I let them melee me. It didn't seem so bad in my 20s, but I felt that way the past several levels. Most of my leveling is either kiting or grouping, but I didn't really neglect my defense or dodge skills, and I have banded or better in every slot.

Is this just a phase of the game where mobs hit a little harder? This happened most recently with succulents and sarnaks in OT.