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Some shells broke up into mini-groups within each zone (or multiple zones), or concentrated on the top-tier bosses like Pantokrator/Apademak/caturae/Ironclads etc. that people couldn't realistically duo for a long time. By the time they could, the shell adapted and moved on to other events people couldn't lowman.
Most things could actually be duoed at the level cap for their respective expansions. And nothing, but maybe Rani, couldn't be killed by a PT of less than 6.
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Through techniques like these, they evolved and survived by supplementing members' goals, not impeding them. Regarding WoE/VW, another technique by which shells survived was to pool non-ra/ex equipment for bidding/buying amongst the members (rewarding the person who pooled it with DKP or gil of course) so that items stayed in-house and people capped out faster. I am reminded of the phrase "Adapt or Die" when discussing these issues.
Personal goals are achieved faster and faster the less people you have to lug along with you. EGLSs were held together by the idea of personal advancement. Abyssea made it easier for people to lowman personal advancement, and thus having more than ~5-6 people with you will ALWAYS slow you down more than help you.