diff --git a/TODO b/TODO
index 2cafa529f4..c72e36002c 100644
--- a/TODO
+++ b/TODO
@@ -33,4 +33,5 @@ TODO
 * multi component registry::remove and some others?
 * range based registry::remove and some others?
 * nested groups: AB/ABC/ABCD/... (hints: sort, check functions)
+  - doc, test
 * ::size_type - c'mon
diff --git a/src/entt/entity/group.hpp b/src/entt/entity/group.hpp
index c7ebb7b456..904b378c34 100644
--- a/src/entt/entity/group.hpp
+++ b/src/entt/entity/group.hpp
@@ -63,11 +63,10 @@ class basic_group;
  *
  * @tparam Entity A valid entity type (see entt_traits for more details).
  * @tparam Exclude Types of components used to filter the group.
- * @tparam Get Type of component observed by the group.
- * @tparam Other Other types of components observed by the group.
+ * @tparam Get Type of components observed by the group.
  */
-template<typename Entity, typename... Exclude, typename Get, typename... Other>
-class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get, Other...>> {
+template<typename Entity, typename... Exclude, typename... Get>
+class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>> {
     /*! @brief A registry is allowed to create groups. */
     friend class basic_registry<Entity>;
 
@@ -75,9 +74,9 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get, Other...>> {
     using pool_type = std::conditional_t<std::is_const_v<Component>, const storage<Entity, std::remove_const_t<Component>>, storage<Entity, Component>>;
 
     // we could use pool_type<Type> *..., but vs complains about it and refuses to compile for unknown reasons (most likely a bug)
-    basic_group(sparse_set<Entity> *ref, storage<Entity, std::remove_const_t<Get>> *get, storage<Entity, std::remove_const_t<Other>> *... other) ENTT_NOEXCEPT
+    basic_group(sparse_set<Entity> *ref, storage<Entity, std::remove_const_t<Get>> *... get) ENTT_NOEXCEPT
         : handler{ref},
-          pools{get, other...}
+          pools{get...}
     {}
 
     template<typename Func, typename... Weak>
@@ -93,9 +92,9 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get, Other...>> {
 
 public:
     /*! @brief Underlying entity identifier. */
-    using entity_type = typename sparse_set<Entity>::entity_type;
+    using entity_type = Entity;
     /*! @brief Unsigned integer type. */
-    using size_type = typename sparse_set<Entity>::size_type;
+    using size_type = std::size_t;
     /*! @brief Input iterator type. */
     using iterator_type = typename sparse_set<Entity>::iterator_type;
 
@@ -306,8 +305,8 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get, Other...>> {
      * forms:
      *
      * @code{.cpp}
-     * void(const entity_type, Get &, Other &...);
-     * void(Get &, Other &...);
+     * void(const entity_type, Get &...);
+     * void(Get &...);
      * @endcode
      *
      * @note
@@ -320,7 +319,7 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get, Other...>> {
      */
     template<typename Func>
     void each(Func func) const {
-        traverse(std::move(func), type_list<Get, Other...>{});
+        traverse(std::move(func), type_list<Get...>{});
     }
 
     /**
@@ -345,9 +344,8 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get, Other...>> {
      */
     template<typename Func>
     void less(Func func) const {
-        using get_type_list = std::conditional_t<std::is_empty_v<Get>, type_list<>, type_list<Get>>;
-        using other_type_list = type_list_cat_t<std::conditional_t<std::is_empty_v<Other>, type_list<>, type_list<Other>>...>;
-        traverse(std::move(func), type_list_cat_t<get_type_list, other_type_list>{});
+        using get_type_list = type_list_cat_t<std::conditional_t<std::is_empty_v<Get>, type_list<>, type_list<Get>>...>;
+        traverse(std::move(func), get_type_list{});
     }
 
     /**
@@ -430,7 +428,7 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get, Other...>> {
 
 private:
     sparse_set<entity_type> *handler;
-    const std::tuple<pool_type<Get> *, pool_type<Other> *...> pools;
+    const std::tuple<pool_type<Get> *...> pools;
 };
 
 
@@ -479,11 +477,10 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get, Other...>> {
  * @tparam Entity A valid entity type (see entt_traits for more details).
  * @tparam Exclude Types of components used to filter the group.
  * @tparam Get Types of components observed by the group.
- * @tparam Owned Type of component owned by the group.
- * @tparam Other Other types of components owned by the group.
+ * @tparam Owned Types of components owned by the group.
  */
-template<typename Entity, typename... Exclude, typename... Get, typename Owned, typename... Other>
-class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...> {
+template<typename Entity, typename... Exclude, typename... Get, typename... Owned>
+class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned...> {
     /*! @brief A registry is allowed to create groups. */
     friend class basic_registry<Entity>;
 
@@ -494,15 +491,16 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...>
     using component_iterator_type = decltype(std::declval<pool_type<Component>>().begin());
 
     // we could use pool_type<Type> *..., but vs complains about it and refuses to compile for unknown reasons (most likely a bug)
-    basic_group(const typename basic_registry<Entity>::size_type *sz, storage<Entity, std::remove_const_t<Owned>> *owned, storage<Entity, std::remove_const_t<Other>> *... other, storage<Entity, std::remove_const_t<Get>> *... get) ENTT_NOEXCEPT
-        : length{sz},
-          pools{owned, other..., get...}
+    basic_group(const std::size_t *ref, const std::size_t *extent, storage<Entity, std::remove_const_t<Owned>> *... owned, storage<Entity, std::remove_const_t<Get>> *... get) ENTT_NOEXCEPT
+        : pools{owned..., get...},
+          length{extent},
+          super{ref}
     {}
 
     template<typename Func, typename... Strong, typename... Weak>
     void traverse(Func func, type_list<Strong...>, type_list<Weak...>) const {
         [[maybe_unused]] auto raw = std::make_tuple((std::get<pool_type<Strong> *>(pools)->end() - *length)...);
-        [[maybe_unused]] auto data = std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(pools)->sparse_set<entity_type>::end() - *length;
+        [[maybe_unused]] auto data = std::get<0>(pools)->sparse_set<entity_type>::end() - *length;
 
         for(auto next = *length; next; --next) {
             if constexpr(std::is_invocable_v<Func, decltype(get<Strong>({}))..., decltype(get<Weak>({}))...>) {
@@ -521,9 +519,9 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...>
 
 public:
     /*! @brief Underlying entity identifier. */
-    using entity_type = typename sparse_set<Entity>::entity_type;
+    using entity_type = Entity;
     /*! @brief Unsigned integer type. */
-    using size_type = typename sparse_set<Entity>::size_type;
+    using size_type = std::size_t;
     /*! @brief Input iterator type. */
     using iterator_type = typename sparse_set<Entity>::iterator_type;
 
@@ -618,7 +616,7 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...>
      * @return A pointer to the array of entities.
      */
     const entity_type * data() const ENTT_NOEXCEPT {
-        return std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(pools)->data();
+        return std::get<0>(pools)->data();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -636,7 +634,7 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...>
      * @return An iterator to the first entity that has the given components.
      */
     iterator_type begin() const ENTT_NOEXCEPT {
-        return std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(pools)->sparse_set<entity_type>::end() - *length;
+        return std::get<0>(pools)->sparse_set<entity_type>::end() - *length;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -655,7 +653,7 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...>
      * given components.
      */
     iterator_type end() const ENTT_NOEXCEPT {
-        return std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(pools)->sparse_set<entity_type>::end();
+        return std::get<0>(pools)->sparse_set<entity_type>::end();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -665,7 +663,7 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...>
      * iterator otherwise.
      */
     iterator_type find(const entity_type entt) const ENTT_NOEXCEPT {
-        const auto it = std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(pools)->find(entt);
+        const auto it = std::get<0>(pools)->find(entt);
         return it != end() && it >= begin() && *it == entt ? it : end();
     }
 
@@ -726,8 +724,8 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...>
      * forms:
      *
      * @code{.cpp}
-     * void(const entity_type, Owned &, Other &..., Get &...);
-     * void(Owned &, Other &..., Get &...);
+     * void(const entity_type, Owned &..., Get &...);
+     * void(Owned &..., Get &...);
      * @endcode
      *
      * @note
@@ -740,7 +738,7 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...>
      */
     template<typename Func>
     void each(Func func) const {
-        traverse(std::move(func), type_list<Owned, Other...>{}, type_list<Get...>{});
+        traverse(std::move(func), type_list<Owned...>{}, type_list<Get...>{});
     }
 
     /**
@@ -765,10 +763,18 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...>
      */
     template<typename Func>
     void less(Func func) const {
-        using owned_type_list = std::conditional_t<std::is_empty_v<Owned>, type_list<>, type_list<Owned>>;
-        using other_type_list = type_list_cat_t<std::conditional_t<std::is_empty_v<Other>, type_list<>, type_list<Other>>...>;
+        using owned_type_list = type_list_cat_t<std::conditional_t<std::is_empty_v<Owned>, type_list<>, type_list<Owned>>...>;
         using get_type_list = type_list_cat_t<std::conditional_t<std::is_empty_v<Get>, type_list<>, type_list<Get>>...>;
-        traverse(std::move(func), type_list_cat_t<owned_type_list, other_type_list>{}, get_type_list{});
+        traverse(std::move(func), owned_type_list{}, get_type_list{});
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Checks whether the group can be sorted.
+     * @return True if the group can be sorted, false otherwise.
+     */
+    bool sortable() const ENTT_NOEXCEPT {
+        constexpr auto size = sizeof...(Owned) + sizeof...(Get) + sizeof...(Exclude);
+        return *super == size;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -815,7 +821,8 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...>
      */
     template<typename... Component, typename Compare, typename Sort = std_sort, typename... Args>
     void sort(Compare compare, Sort algo = Sort{}, Args &&... args) {
-        auto *cpool = std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(pools);
+        ENTT_ASSERT(sortable());
+        auto *cpool = std::get<0>(pools);
 
         if constexpr(sizeof...(Component) == 0) {
             static_assert(std::is_invocable_v<Compare, const entity_type, const entity_type>);
@@ -830,16 +837,19 @@ class basic_group<Entity, exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned, Other...>
             }, std::move(algo), std::forward<Args>(args)...);
         }
 
-        for(auto next = *length; next; --next) {
-            const auto pos = next - 1;
-            [[maybe_unused]] const auto entt = cpool->data()[pos];
-            (std::get<pool_type<Other> *>(pools)->swap(std::get<pool_type<Other> *>(pools)->data()[pos], entt), ...);
-        }
+        [](std::size_t length, auto *cpool, auto *... other) {
+            for(auto next = length; next; --next) {
+                const auto pos = next - 1;
+                [[maybe_unused]] const auto entt = cpool->data()[pos];
+                (other->swap(other->data()[pos], entt), ...);
+            }
+        }(*length, std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(pools)...);
     }
 
 private:
-    const typename basic_registry<Entity>::size_type *length;
-    const std::tuple<pool_type<Owned> *, pool_type<Other> *..., pool_type<Get> *...> pools;
+    const std::tuple<pool_type<Owned> *..., pool_type<Get> *...> pools;
+    const size_type *length;
+    const size_type *super;
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/entt/entity/registry.hpp b/src/entt/entity/registry.hpp
index f1aae9e9db..97d77add47 100644
--- a/src/entt/entity/registry.hpp
+++ b/src/entt/entity/registry.hpp
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class basic_registry {
 
     template<typename Component>
     struct pool_handler: storage<Entity, Component> {
-        std::size_t *owned;
+        std::size_t super{};
 
         pool_handler() ENTT_NOEXCEPT = default;
 
@@ -201,11 +201,11 @@ class basic_registry {
     };
 
     struct group_data {
-        const std::size_t extent[3];
+        std::size_t extent[3];
         std::unique_ptr<void, void(*)(void *)> group;
-        bool(* const owned)(const component) ENTT_NOEXCEPT;
-        bool(* const get)(const component) ENTT_NOEXCEPT;
-        bool(* const exclude)(const component) ENTT_NOEXCEPT;
+        bool(* owned)(const component) ENTT_NOEXCEPT;
+        bool(* get)(const component) ENTT_NOEXCEPT;
+        bool(* exclude)(const component) ENTT_NOEXCEPT;
     };
 
     struct ctx_variable {
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ class basic_registry {
     /*! @brief Underlying version type. */
     using version_type = typename traits_type::version_type;
     /*! @brief Unsigned integer type. */
-    using size_type = typename sparse_set<Entity>::size_type;
+    using size_type = std::size_t;
 
     /*! @brief Default constructor. */
     basic_registry() ENTT_NOEXCEPT = default;
@@ -1088,12 +1088,9 @@ class basic_registry {
      */
     template<typename Component, typename Compare, typename Sort = std_sort, typename... Args>
     void sort(Compare compare, Sort algo = Sort{}, Args &&... args) {
-        if(auto *cpool = assure<Component>(); cpool->owned) {
-            const auto last = cpool->end() - *cpool->owned;
-            cpool->sort(cpool->begin(), last, std::move(compare), std::move(algo), std::forward<Args>(args)...);
-        } else {
-            cpool->sort(cpool->begin(), cpool->end(), std::move(compare), std::move(algo), std::forward<Args>(args)...);
-        }
+        auto *cpool = assure<Component>();
+        ENTT_ASSERT(!cpool->super);
+        cpool->sort(cpool->begin(), cpool->end(), std::move(compare), std::move(algo), std::forward<Args>(args)...);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1133,8 +1130,9 @@ class basic_registry {
      */
     template<typename To, typename From>
     void sort() {
-        ENTT_ASSERT(!owned<To>());
-        assure<To>()->respect(*assure<From>());
+        auto *cpool = assure<To>();
+        ENTT_ASSERT(!cpool->super);
+        cpool->respect(*assure<From>());
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1322,17 +1320,6 @@ class basic_registry {
         return const_cast<basic_registry *>(this)->view<Component...>(exclude<Exclude...>);
     }
 
-    /**
-     * @brief Checks whether a given component belongs to a group.
-     * @tparam Component Type of component in which one is interested.
-     * @return True if the component belongs to a group, false otherwise.
-     */
-    template<typename Component>
-    bool owned() const ENTT_NOEXCEPT {
-        const auto *cpool = pool<Component>();
-        return cpool && cpool->owned;
-    }
-
     /**
      * @brief Returns a group for the given components.
      *
@@ -1366,6 +1353,8 @@ class basic_registry {
         static_assert(sizeof...(Owned) + sizeof...(Get) + sizeof...(Exclude) > 1);
 
         using handler_type = group_handler<exclude_t<Exclude...>, get_t<Get...>, Owned...>;
+
+        [[maybe_unused]] constexpr auto size = sizeof...(Owned) + sizeof...(Get) + sizeof...(Exclude);
         const auto cpools = std::make_tuple(assure<Owned>()..., assure<Get>()..., assure<Exclude>()...);
         const std::size_t extent[3]{sizeof...(Owned), sizeof...(Get), sizeof...(Exclude)};
         handler_type *curr = nullptr;
@@ -1381,27 +1370,48 @@ class basic_registry {
         }
 
         if(!curr) {
-            groups.push_back(group_data{
+            void *maybe_valid_if = nullptr;
+            void *discard_if = nullptr;
+
+            group_data gdata{
                 { sizeof...(Owned), sizeof...(Get), sizeof...(Exclude) },
                 decltype(group_data::group){new handler_type{cpools}, [](void *gptr) { delete static_cast<handler_type *>(gptr); }},
                 [](const component ctype) ENTT_NOEXCEPT { return ((ctype == type<Owned>()) || ...); },
                 [](const component ctype) ENTT_NOEXCEPT { return ((ctype == type<Get>()) || ...); },
                 [](const component ctype) ENTT_NOEXCEPT { return ((ctype == type<Exclude>()) || ...); }
-            });
+            };
 
-            curr = static_cast<handler_type *>(groups.back().group.get());
+            if constexpr(sizeof...(Owned) == 0) {
+                curr = static_cast<handler_type *>(groups.emplace_back(std::move(gdata)).group.get());
+            } else {
+                ENTT_ASSERT(std::all_of(groups.cbegin(), groups.cend(), [&extent](const auto &gdata) {
+                    const std::size_t diff[3]{ (0u + ... + gdata.owned(type<Owned>())), (0u + ... + gdata.get(type<Get>())), (0u + ... + gdata.exclude(type<Exclude>())) };
+                    return !diff[0] || ((std::equal(std::begin(diff), std::end(diff), extent) || std::equal(std::begin(diff), std::end(diff), gdata.extent)));
+                }));
+
+                const auto next = std::find_if_not(groups.cbegin(), groups.cend(), [&size](const auto &gdata) {
+                    const std::size_t diff = (0u + ... + gdata.owned(type<Owned>()));
+                    return !diff || (size < (gdata.extent[0] + gdata.extent[1] + gdata.extent[2]));
+                });
+
+                const auto prev = std::find_if(std::reverse_iterator(next), groups.crend(), [](const auto &gdata) {
+                    return (0u + ... + gdata.owned(type<Owned>()));
+                });
 
-            ENTT_ASSERT((!std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->owned && ...));
-            ((std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->owned = &curr->owned), ...);
+                maybe_valid_if = (next == groups.cend() ? nullptr : next->group.get());
+                discard_if = (prev == groups.crend() ? nullptr : prev->group.get());
+                curr = static_cast<handler_type *>(groups.insert(next, std::move(gdata))->group.get());
+            }
 
-            (std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->on_construct().template connect<&handler_type::template maybe_valid_if<Owned>>(*curr), ...);
-            (std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->on_destroy().template connect<&handler_type::discard_if>(*curr), ...);
+            ((std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->super = std::max(std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->super, size)), ...);
 
-            (std::get<pool_type<Get> *>(cpools)->on_construct().template connect<&handler_type::template maybe_valid_if<Get>>(*curr), ...);
-            (std::get<pool_type<Get> *>(cpools)->on_destroy().template connect<&handler_type::discard_if>(*curr), ...);
+            (std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->on_construct().before(maybe_valid_if).template connect<&handler_type::template maybe_valid_if<Owned>>(*curr), ...);
+            (std::get<pool_type<Get> *>(cpools)->on_construct().before(maybe_valid_if).template connect<&handler_type::template maybe_valid_if<Get>>(*curr), ...);
+            (std::get<pool_type<Exclude> *>(cpools)->on_destroy().before(maybe_valid_if).template connect<&handler_type::template maybe_valid_if<Exclude>>(*curr), ...);
 
-            (std::get<pool_type<Exclude> *>(cpools)->on_destroy().template connect<&handler_type::template maybe_valid_if<Exclude>>(*curr), ...);
-            (std::get<pool_type<Exclude> *>(cpools)->on_construct().template connect<&handler_type::discard_if>(*curr), ...);
+            (std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->on_destroy().before(discard_if).template connect<&handler_type::discard_if>(*curr), ...);
+            (std::get<pool_type<Get> *>(cpools)->on_destroy().before(discard_if).template connect<&handler_type::discard_if>(*curr), ...);
+            (std::get<pool_type<Exclude> *>(cpools)->on_construct().before(discard_if).template connect<&handler_type::discard_if>(*curr), ...);
 
             const auto *cpool = std::min({
                 static_cast<sparse_set<Entity> *>(std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools))...,
@@ -1419,8 +1429,10 @@ class basic_registry {
                     if constexpr(sizeof...(Owned) == 0) {
                         curr->set.construct(entity);
                     } else {
-                        const auto pos = curr->owned++;
-                        (std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->swap(std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->data()[pos], entity), ...);
+                        if(!(std::get<0>(cpools)->index(entity) < curr->owned)) {
+                            const auto pos = curr->owned++;
+                            (std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->swap(std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)->data()[pos], entity), ...);
+                        }
                     }
                 }
             });
@@ -1429,7 +1441,7 @@ class basic_registry {
         if constexpr(sizeof...(Owned) == 0) {
             return { &curr->set, std::get<pool_type<Get> *>(cpools)... };
         } else {
-            return { &curr->owned, std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)... , std::get<pool_type<Get> *>(cpools)... };
+            return { &std::get<0>(cpools)->super, &curr->owned, std::get<pool_type<Owned> *>(cpools)... , std::get<pool_type<Get> *>(cpools)... };
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/test/entt/entity/registry.cpp b/test/entt/entity/registry.cpp
index 303fae7610..27fe05e12b 100644
--- a/test/entt/entity/registry.cpp
+++ b/test/entt/entity/registry.cpp
@@ -321,9 +321,9 @@ TEST(Registry, Each) {
     entt::registry::size_type match;
 
     registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(registry.create());
+    registry.create<int>();
     registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(registry.create());
+    registry.create<int>();
     registry.create();
 
     tot = 0u;
@@ -372,9 +372,9 @@ TEST(Registry, Orphans) {
     entt::registry registry;
     entt::registry::size_type tot{};
 
-    registry.assign<int>(registry.create());
+    registry.create<int>();
     registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(registry.create());
+    registry.create<int>();
 
     registry.orphans([&](auto) { ++tot; });
     ASSERT_EQ(tot, 1u);
@@ -450,26 +450,14 @@ TEST(Registry, View) {
 TEST(Registry, NonOwningGroupInitOnFirstUse) {
     entt::registry registry;
 
-    const auto e0 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e0, 0);
-    registry.assign<char>(e0, 'c');
-
-    const auto e1 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e1, 0);
-
-    const auto e2 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e2, 0);
-    registry.assign<char>(e2, 'c');
-
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<char>());
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
+    registry.create<int>();
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
 
     std::size_t cnt{};
     auto group = registry.group<>(entt::get<int, char>);
     group.each([&cnt](auto...) { ++cnt; });
 
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<char>());
     ASSERT_EQ(cnt, 2u);
 }
 
@@ -477,51 +465,27 @@ TEST(Registry, NonOwningGroupInitOnAssign) {
     entt::registry registry;
     auto group = registry.group<>(entt::get<int, char>);
 
-    const auto e0 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e0, 0);
-    registry.assign<char>(e0, 'c');
-
-    const auto e1 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e1, 0);
-
-    const auto e2 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e2, 0);
-    registry.assign<char>(e2, 'c');
-
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<char>());
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
+    registry.create<int>();
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
 
     std::size_t cnt{};
     group.each([&cnt](auto...) { ++cnt; });
 
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<char>());
     ASSERT_EQ(cnt, 2u);
 }
 
 TEST(Registry, FullOwningGroupInitOnFirstUse) {
     entt::registry registry;
 
-    const auto e0 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e0, 0);
-    registry.assign<char>(e0, 'c');
-
-    const auto e1 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e1, 0);
-
-    const auto e2 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e2, 0);
-    registry.assign<char>(e2, 'c');
-
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<char>());
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
+    registry.create<int>();
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
 
     std::size_t cnt{};
     auto group = registry.group<int, char>();
     group.each([&cnt](auto...) { ++cnt; });
 
-    ASSERT_TRUE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_TRUE(registry.owned<char>());
     ASSERT_EQ(cnt, 2u);
 }
 
@@ -529,51 +493,27 @@ TEST(Registry, FullOwningGroupInitOnAssign) {
     entt::registry registry;
     auto group = registry.group<int, char>();
 
-    const auto e0 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e0, 0);
-    registry.assign<char>(e0, 'c');
-
-    const auto e1 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e1, 0);
-
-    const auto e2 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e2, 0);
-    registry.assign<char>(e2, 'c');
-
-    ASSERT_TRUE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_TRUE(registry.owned<char>());
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
+    registry.create<int>();
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
 
     std::size_t cnt{};
     group.each([&cnt](auto...) { ++cnt; });
 
-    ASSERT_TRUE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_TRUE(registry.owned<char>());
     ASSERT_EQ(cnt, 2u);
 }
 
 TEST(Registry, PartialOwningGroupInitOnFirstUse) {
     entt::registry registry;
 
-    const auto e0 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e0, 0);
-    registry.assign<char>(e0, 'c');
-
-    const auto e1 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e1, 1);
-
-    const auto e2 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e2, 2);
-    registry.assign<char>(e2, 'c');
-
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<char>());
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
+    registry.create<int>();
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
 
     std::size_t cnt{};
     auto group = registry.group<int>(entt::get<char>);
     group.each([&cnt](auto...) { ++cnt; });
 
-    ASSERT_TRUE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<char>());
     ASSERT_EQ(cnt, 2u);
 
 }
@@ -582,25 +522,13 @@ TEST(Registry, PartialOwningGroupInitOnAssign) {
     entt::registry registry;
     auto group = registry.group<int>(entt::get<char>);
 
-    const auto e0 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e0, 0);
-    registry.assign<char>(e0, 'c');
-
-    const auto e1 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e1, 0);
-
-    const auto e2 = registry.create();
-    registry.assign<int>(e2, 0);
-    registry.assign<char>(e2, 'c');
-
-    ASSERT_TRUE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<char>());
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
+    registry.create<int>();
+    std::get<2>(registry.create<int, char>()) = 'c';
 
     std::size_t cnt{};
     group.each([&cnt](auto...) { ++cnt; });
 
-    ASSERT_TRUE(registry.owned<int>());
-    ASSERT_FALSE(registry.owned<char>());
     ASSERT_EQ(cnt, 2u);
 }
 
@@ -728,6 +656,55 @@ TEST(Registry, CleanPartialOwningGroupViewAfterReset) {
     ASSERT_EQ(group.size(), entt::registry::size_type{0});
 }
 
+TEST(Registry, NestedGroups) {
+    entt::registry registry;
+    entt::entity entities[10];
+
+    registry.create<int, char>(std::begin(entities), std::end(entities));
+    const auto g1 = registry.group<int>(entt::get<char>, entt::exclude<double>);
+
+    ASSERT_TRUE(g1.sortable());
+    ASSERT_EQ(g1.size(), 10u);
+
+    for(auto i = 0u; i < 10u; ++i) {
+        ASSERT_EQ(g1[i], entities[i]);
+    }
+
+    const auto g2 = registry.group<int>(entt::get<char>);
+
+    ASSERT_TRUE(g1.sortable());
+    ASSERT_FALSE(g2.sortable());
+    ASSERT_EQ(g1.size(), 10u);
+    ASSERT_EQ(g2.size(), 10u);
+
+    for(auto i = 0u; i < 5u; ++i) {
+        ASSERT_TRUE((registry.has<int, char>(entities[i*2])));
+        registry.assign<double>(entities[i*2]);
+    }
+
+    ASSERT_EQ(g1.size(), 5u);
+    ASSERT_EQ(g2.size(), 10u);
+
+    for(auto i = 0u; i < 5u; ++i) {
+        ASSERT_TRUE((registry.has<int, char, double>(entities[i*2])));
+        ASSERT_FALSE(g1.contains(entities[i*2]));
+        registry.remove<int>(entities[i*2+1]);
+    }
+
+    // TODO
+
+    ASSERT_EQ(g1.size(), 0u);
+    ASSERT_EQ(g2.size(), 5u);
+
+    const auto g3= registry.group<int, float>(entt::get<char>, entt::exclude<double>);
+
+    ASSERT_FALSE(g1.sortable());
+    ASSERT_FALSE(g2.sortable());
+    ASSERT_TRUE(g3.sortable());
+
+    // TODO
+}
+
 TEST(Registry, SortSingle) {
     entt::registry registry;
 
@@ -780,75 +757,6 @@ TEST(Registry, SortMulti) {
     }
 }
 
-TEST(Registry, SortOwned) {
-    entt::registry registry;
-    registry.group<int>(entt::get<char>);
-
-    for(auto i = 0; i < 5; ++i) {
-        const auto entity = registry.create();
-        registry.assign<int>(entity, i);
-
-        if(i < 2) {
-            registry.assign<char>(entity);
-        }
-    }
-
-    ASSERT_TRUE((registry.has<int, char>(*(registry.data<int>()+0))));
-    ASSERT_TRUE((registry.has<int, char>(*(registry.data<int>()+1))));
-
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+0), 0);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+1), 1);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+2), 2);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+3), 3);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+4), 4);
-
-    registry.sort<int>([](const int lhs, const int rhs) {
-        return lhs < rhs;
-    });
-
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+0), 0);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+1), 1);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+2), 4);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+3), 3);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+4), 2);
-
-    registry.reset<char>();
-    registry.sort<int>([](const int lhs, const int rhs) {
-        return lhs < rhs;
-    });
-
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+0), 4);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+1), 3);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+2), 2);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+3), 1);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+4), 0);
-
-    registry.each([&registry](const auto entity) {
-        registry.assign<char>(entity);
-    });
-
-    registry.sort<int>([](const int lhs, const int rhs) {
-        return lhs > rhs;
-    });
-
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+0), 4);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+1), 3);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+2), 2);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+3), 1);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+4), 0);
-
-    registry.reset<char>();
-    registry.sort<int>([](const int lhs, const int rhs) {
-        return lhs > rhs;
-    });
-
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+0), 0);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+1), 1);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+2), 2);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+3), 3);
-    ASSERT_EQ(*(registry.raw<int>()+4), 4);
-}
-
 TEST(Registry, ComponentsWithTypesFromStandardTemplateLibrary) {
     // see #37 - the test shouldn't crash, that's all
     entt::registry registry;