First time around I made it past Bowyer without the Froggie Stick. Then I eventually got the stick, found out how weak it was now, and realized I should have had it long ago. Looks like I was right that Mallow's physical attack wasn't supposed to be completely useless for this long, just didn't know what to do.
I think I beat the game without the Lazy Shell first time around too. Granted, it was after everybody was at their level cap.