But you’ve already agreed this isn’t about level, that’s just game mechanics. The only use of levels here is to show where the player is in their journey. The benchmark for doing Balnazzar (and other foes we would consider strong, this is one example) has always been pre-max level. The benchmark for defeating the Val’kyr at Andorhol is also pre-max level.
Sounds like you want to special plead for Balnazzar to avoid the point.