Can't configure low health mode on Portal

I first noticed that when I lower "player health", I don't also lower the AI's health. This is a huge bummer, and I don't want to go the depth of making a whole new game mode with custom logic just so I can adjust health of AI (or damage multiplier of rifles).

There is a community hardcore server, so I thought maybe I'd try that instead. Unfortunately, the HC server doesn't even have less health, so all opponents are still 100 health there.

Is there absolutely no way to play low health modes vs AI where just an assault rifle can take 1-2 hits to drop someone? That's how I want to play, and EA is making it extremely difficult.