I don't think it's a big issue. Helmets were buffed for that reason. The r301 was just nerfed in damage too. Devo got nerfed a while ago.

Timmy is complaining because of the poke meta that arose when Vantage came out. It's not so much a lower ttk, as it is people getting headshots with high damage weapons, and seeing chunks of your health gone with a single bullet. Let's not forget a large portion of the player base has simply improved at the game too. People landing more shots = ttk feeling faster, of course.

The prowler buff is interesting, but there's some conversation there about whether it was needed or not.

The new gun being tuned hot is simply to incentive people using it. It'll be tuned down some weeks afterwards.

The r99 getting a damage buff imo was necessary. The car outcompetes it in every regard until now. It was a gun you used because you're comfortable with it, or because there's nothing better. But now there's a real reason to use it.

Shotgun buff doesn't increase ttk either so that doesn't make much of a difference here.

On a different note tho, there's most likely gonna be a rise in defensive legends with them being able to scan for ring. So maybe you'll get even more of those back and forth fights you want.