When Cosmic Council was active (the gold old/new/old days?) we regularly started a team and leveled through content. One such weekly team did a Gold run. i was on a Dark Blaster. Everyone ran what they wanted. I am nearly positive we ran at +o/x1. But I seem to remember the leader always itching to crank it, so he may have bumped it a bit. It went smooth and easy. Except for keeping everyone in the same storyline, as it was easy to miss a 'talk to' and get off track from the groups mission line.
Now, it was easy, but.... This was Cosmic Council. At least 3-4 heavy hitters (not me) who were mad badgers and great players. people who did weekly Really Hard Way Magisterium and Incarnate badge collections. (I usually did those) And we were coordinating (and laughing) on Discord. So.... NOT a PUG. The exact opposite of a PUG. Now we did not have "required spots" but these people played fun toons that were pretty powerful. And we were slamming in I/os as fast as levelling in the shallow end allowed. They used every trick in the book for getting inspirations, team inspirations etc. Market, stuck in email. The toons were overtooned, for their miniscule level. And, again, by and large great players. (again, not counting me, I stumble around like a crazy...me) and major battles were discussed before and during on Discord. It was a cake walk.