Is there such thing as a good lifter?

I don't subscribe to the worn lifter bore stopping a lifter from pumping up theory for one simple reason.
You don't need very much oil pressure to prime a lifter. In fact you can pump them up by simply submersing them in oil and working the plunger up and down.
I don't think anyone is dumping all their oil pressure out of a lifter bore unless the lifter is missing.
Correct, also is the proof of the hundreds of slap WORN OUT engines I've seen through the years with no signs of lifter tick. Zero. Now, If there's a lot of sludge in the pan and it gets into the pickup, that will cause lifter tick in a second. But if the lifters are ticking, it's only one of a few things. Bad lifter, almost non existent oil pressure, or worn parts.