The problem with friction shifting 11 speed is that the gears are so close together, you have to be really precise with the shifter, if it's not in exactly the right spot, you'll be between gears and your chain will skip up and down endlessly
More cogs in the same space (more or less, I know overall width has increased a bit) = more chance of hitting a gear, might not be the exact one you wanted but…
The problem with friction shifting 11 speed is that the gears are so close together, you have to be really precise with the shifter, if it's not in exactly the right spot, you'll be between gears and your chain will skip up and down endlessly