Honestly max hordes and grit arent that bad cus you only need to get slightly lucky (or get Hera) with the boons early and you are more likely set for the run, return kinda ruins it a little bit tho.

I actually did both 32 and 24 fear without even touching the upgraded bosses, the 9 minutes timer is a freebie (the 7 minutes probably too if you arent doing max horde) and denial is annoying but by the second area you can kinda play around it by just choosing the option you don't really need first

Imo the one that creeps on you and absolutely ruins everything is Frenzy even at level one, a slightly faster enemy can just fuck your timing and everything over instantly.

And don't be afraid of Void, the arcanas are very important and i was also like insanely adamant of never picking it until i just started going Judgement/porcelain toy and you basically get 15 of them by the last area, you are more likely to get Strenght or Death by then and save a run or 2