Tor support doesn't require any user knowledge that they’re using Tor. It’s not complicated at all. I’m torifying my Nostr client right now. It doesn’t support Tor, but it can use it anyways.
Tor is just a network transport layer. Saying “Tor is also way too much” is like saying “IP is way too much”. It is super simple for clients to support Tor hidden service relays, every language out there has a SOCKS5 library, and that would add a huge amount of resiliency against state censorship and attacks from private individuals. Nostr hasn’t attracted enough users to be subject to these kinds of pressures yet. If it does, without supporting Tor relays, relay operators will be subject to constant takedown demands and law enforcement requests from European and MENA states because they will see putting pressure on the relays as a way to remove content they dislike.
