I agree that there are options. Target + Stone Skin + Magic Shield can get you anywhere
However, in games when there is no target or stone skin in the first few islands, things get really, really hard. Then the best thing you can do is to go on a stealing spree, which kind of hurts the score
I am aware that you can always kite zag-zag away and get the dragon... Once you do that, things get much, much easier. All you need then is stone skin cast and then simply improve you medals at will.
Well, as I like to say, there is always a way to achieve what you've set your mind to