This has not been my experience at all -- even as recently as last year it was

Recruiter: "Here's your offer for $X"

You: "Well I'm also negotiating an offer with Z for $X + 200k

Recruiter: OK well how about $X + 200k and a 50k signing bonus?

Multiple offers are key -- seriously, timing that properly is the biggest thing you can do to optimize your job search. Even if you can't give exact numbers, the mere presence of a competing offer will make a company offer you top of band.