I am one of the newbies. I survived last night, and, to be honest, the missions are really tough, but not unbeatable. Not trying to tick anyone off, but, when you are taking on the AI, this isn't like a PS2 game. You go in trying to knock them silly, they are going to do the same to you.
Fighting with tactics, rather than just weapons, was what made the difference. Of course, we have to figure out the tactics as we go along.
PLEASE don't change the settings and make it easier. Let us continue to get better this way, because if my fellow newbies and I are getting squirrelly over the AI, the Human Players are going to hand us our butt's on a plate, and that is NOT what I want.
Better AI means we can do better against real live opponents. And that is what really matters.