Most of the time I had survival at 30%.
Okay, I couldn't keep myself away. So I've spent another couple of hours.
After another 4 runs getting to Fetid/Cannibals, I finally unlocked Maelstrom of Chaos. Currently at proving V.
And I've also had at least to early failed runs because I did not have drops that could give me the damage to manage the first recruiting missions.
If the early game becomes slightly less punishing, I think you are in a really really good spot.
I have 2 things right now.
1. there are a massive difference in boss difficulty, rolling a proving with 2 pyro 3 necro is pretty much impossible, while getting one with 5 slow melee bosses is a cakewalk.
2. I had a character die to Proving IV, that happens, a bit annoying because I had taken no damage on the 4 first steps, and then rolled 4 necromancers on step 5 =P, but at the very least, could you prioritise that we get our gear back in the loot pool when a character dies, because it was my best geared character that died, and all their gear is just gone now, because the loot window was full.