When rating Dong Fang BuBai's martial arts, and the rest of the "elites" in the novel with the Greats there are often three opinions.
1) DFBB is a great while RWX, LHC, Fangsheng, Chongxu are all below a great. (Tier 2)
2) DFBB and all the other elites are below a great.
3) DFBB is above a great while the elites are a great.
Most people would probably disagree with #3 because it's hard to believe that if RWX and LHC were greats in their prime conditions then that means 3 GJs, 3HYS, 3YGs, would probably lose or at most be on par with DFBB. I think there's no doubt that if DFBB's needle had lethal poison coated on it, RWX, LHC and XWT would all be dead.
If DFBB is indeed a great while the other elites aren't, is it fair to assume they are at QQR level? NOT looking at the fact that it took 2 1/2 - 3~ QQR to match up to DFBB. However, remember in ROCH when QQR did a palm attack on 1Y, he was not too fatally wounded, however when LHC and RWX got a clear shot on DFBB, he was more less fatally wounded where he was able to launch his laast attack on RWX's eye. Would two QQR palms have taken down 1Y the same way as DFBB fell down to LHC and RWX's attack? I think we shouldn't look at the fact that it took LHC and RWX + XYT to fight DFBB and still not have any leverage, but more so looking at how many it took to injure him. We know that the sunflower manual gives both technique and superior internal energy after cutting off your manhood so I do believe this isn't an unfair anylasis an assuming DFBB only has technique but no "Great" status/superior internal energy support. (Assuming LHC/ RWX each present a QQR, while maybe DFBB represents 1Y in this case)
I believe if this question is answered we will have a fair anylasis on DFBB's questionable great status.