I get what you say but I think it is exaggerated. Back in the old days when I started playing Magic the Gathering there was already a huge player base. And old players had a significant advantage because they knew all cards. But when you are new and excited and your inquisitiveness is just too big to stop digging you will eventually figure it out.

I agree that you can't earn much by just playing the game.

But people need to zoom out a little bit to see the bigger picture. When you are smart you don't just play you also stake and maximize airdrops. May be even leverage the marketplace.

My guess is that CL sets a new standard in SL and it can bring in even more players. Because people like me want the cards. We want the best cards and we are here to play. Making money is nice but the incentives can't be huge. It would kill the game. As it did with so many other P2E games.