The assist mode being discussed could also be called accessibility options. Think of someone who may be partiality or mostly blind. Or someone who had suffered from a TBI and their reaction speed is shot. The assist mode settings giving extra i-frames, reducing damage, etc lower the difficulty level so that people can adjust it based on their needs. Yeah it breaks immersion but i think it’s a welcome change and they do help in ways summons, coops, consumables, etc can’t.