Imperial Sentry (skeleton archer) - working as intended?

In the Arena, after trying several times, it appears that these dudes are an instant death. If they happen to spawn on screen, they immediately fire (leaving you with very little time to react) and if they hit, it is an ista-kill. I am not asking to make the game easy to fit my style. I am asking if these guys are working as intended, or if they are like the dogs in Elden Ring that had an extra zero to their damage.