How Much Shaping can be Done?

Hypothetically, if you were to cut off the outer bud sites from a limb, would the lower bud sites grow more?
I often find that the bud sites closest to the main stalk are puny when there are more sites further out..
Would cutting off the outer bud sites work in a way similar to topping, ie. encouraging growth lower down/closer to the main stalk?

Yes... I think you're overthinking things.

It's simple: Tallest point on the plant has Apical dominance. It will recieve the most auxins and grow the most.
The points with the most light will also become semi-dominant.

If you cut off nodes, it all just resets, with some extra energy for surviving nodes.
Possibilities are endless bro, all it takes is time and care.