getting to harder content/trying to imrpove

[Valence]

Also I'm not sure if you actually meant the Coils in general or the savage version of the second tier (only the second tier has one)? The savage version is probably a lot more demanding, but I haven't tried it. Probably way closer to serious savages of today.

Freezing up depends what you mean. If your brain goes blank and you can't do anything, it's a problem. But stopping everything to focus on understanding and executing a mechanic properly isn't bad practice.

Honestly, difficult content in this game when it's actually current or at least not from older expansions that have been made obsolete by too many changes, can require even top groups to bang their heads against a wall repeatedly, especially if you start going into ultimates or the current savage fights at any time. If you don't deal well with going against a piece of content again and again and again you'll probably have to find where your limit lies within said challenging content.