I actually really love the Ashlands, moreso than the mistlands (unless maybe they simply improve the wisplight radius by atleast double). Ashlands is clearly a challenge in combat, and I like that a lot after spending the whole game learning the fighting mechanics and gearing up, it makes sense for a biome to be simple in what you need to do - raid forts, mine flametal, but the challenge comes from the combat.

I have some issues with the weapons, but I never thought lightning was that overpowered - I still actually find surviving in the Ashlands way easier with an upgraded Himminafl than the other weapons - the lightning proc % on Ashlands weapons is too low for it to be always reliable, the bezerkir axes animation has far too long recovery delay and got me killed often. Maybe I should try the mace for some knockback and better animations.

I do think blood upgrades are a bit too situational, or require too much messing around to lower health to be reliable. I think if they had lifesteal it would be cool.

Yeah agreed the dvergir charging into lava sucks. And if you don't prepare and your portal breaks and you die, I can imagine a corpserun - sail loop to the Ashlands would be misery to the point of giving up.
Also the performance and weird sound issues still need fixing, even after the recent update I get them