The normal mode shouldn't be made easier. With acorn armor and either the second spear you can craft or the sword you can kill anything up to ORC orbweaver or the adult northern scorpion. Obviously, you cannot meat shield them. Either parry or dodge (or have the heavy shield for block). Req.: Have at least level 2 on weapons. Having levels on armor makes you less quishy.
I haven't fought caterpillar, bombardier or stinkbug yet.