Quote Originally Posted by ThirdChild_ZKI View Post
And no amount of High Allagan/Ironworks/Dreadwyrm gear can make up for more damage coming in vs casting times and healing potencies.
Actually, that's exactly what higher ilvl gear does. It increases mitigation and allows for higher damage/healing output. While enemies may be stronger, we are stronger as well. Significantly so, if you're in augmented ironworks/dreadwyrm.

Quote Originally Posted by ThirdChild_ZKI View Post
Big pulls just aren't as practical anymore
Big pulls will always be practical because they will always be efficient. Look at the potency on your AoE abilities and begin to multiply that by an incrementing number. As you can see, most AoE abilities become worth using around 3 or more enemies. And it just so happens that most enemy packs are 3 or more enemies. If you are going to spam your AoE anyway...why not pull the whole zone? It's far more efficient. Gear permitting, of course.