They buffed the hp of the elites because they died too fast from my understanding. It takes forever to solo a B rank (if that's even possible anymore). I'm assuming their intent was not to have less people on an elite, but to allow more people to get credit because there are so many hunting them. Also as long as this is the fastest way to get allied seals & you can use those seals to help along the way for weapon relic quest, & to un-weather all armor and accessories, it means the population that is grouping up to hunt these elites are not going to die down any time soon if at all.