diff --git a/BaseClasses.py b/BaseClasses.py
index b40b872f..a5de1689 100644
--- a/BaseClasses.py
+++ b/BaseClasses.py
@@ -342,6 +342,8 @@ class MultiWorld():
             region = Region("Menu", group_id, self, "ItemLink")
             self.regions.append(region)
             locations = region.locations
+            # ensure that progression items are linked first, then non-progression
+            self.itempool.sort(key=lambda item: item.advancement)
             for item in self.itempool:
                 count = common_item_count.get(item.player, {}).get(item.name, 0)
                 if count:
diff --git a/Fill.py b/Fill.py
index e2fcff00..706cca65 100644
--- a/Fill.py
+++ b/Fill.py
@@ -475,28 +475,26 @@ def distribute_items_restrictive(multiworld: MultiWorld,
         nonlocal lock_later
         lock_later.append(location)
 
+    single_player = multiworld.players == 1 and not multiworld.groups
+
     if prioritylocations:
         # "priority fill"
         fill_restrictive(multiworld, multiworld.state, prioritylocations, progitempool,
-                         single_player_placement=multiworld.players == 1, swap=False, on_place=mark_for_locking,
-                         name="Priority")
+                         single_player_placement=single_player, swap=False, on_place=mark_for_locking, name="Priority")
         accessibility_corrections(multiworld, multiworld.state, prioritylocations, progitempool)
         defaultlocations = prioritylocations + defaultlocations
 
     if progitempool:
         # "advancement/progression fill"
         if panic_method == "swap":
-            fill_restrictive(multiworld, multiworld.state, defaultlocations, progitempool,
-                             swap=True,
-                             name="Progression", single_player_placement=multiworld.players == 1)
+            fill_restrictive(multiworld, multiworld.state, defaultlocations, progitempool, swap=True,
+                             name="Progression", single_player_placement=single_player)
         elif panic_method == "raise":
-            fill_restrictive(multiworld, multiworld.state, defaultlocations, progitempool,
-                             swap=False,
-                             name="Progression", single_player_placement=multiworld.players == 1)
+            fill_restrictive(multiworld, multiworld.state, defaultlocations, progitempool, swap=False,
+                             name="Progression", single_player_placement=single_player)
         elif panic_method == "start_inventory":
-            fill_restrictive(multiworld, multiworld.state, defaultlocations, progitempool,
-                             swap=False, allow_partial=True,
-                             name="Progression", single_player_placement=multiworld.players == 1)
+            fill_restrictive(multiworld, multiworld.state, defaultlocations, progitempool, swap=False,
+                             allow_partial=True, name="Progression", single_player_placement=single_player)
             if progitempool:
                 for item in progitempool:
                     logging.debug(f"Moved {item} to start_inventory to prevent fill failure.")