what do you mean RIP? this is a game where money spent is literally the only thing that matters. A terrible player with a fat wallet will beat a great f2p player every single time.

I collect what characters I can and constantly switch up my team, that's where I get enjoyment from this game, ive been in various servers from almost day 1 and f2p has never been a viable option if you want to stand any chance in any pvp event

hmm, a game where initiative is the single most important stat, where atleast 95% of players use meta teams and where even minor spenders ( monthly card pass only) can easily improve ini significantly quicker than f2p. Yes clearly im clueless, you are free to think as you wish, just sharing my personal experience as someone here from as near as makes no difference the beginning

My point exactly, been playing for a long time. I don't get hung up on my bad win/loss ratio in pvp. I collect characters at my own pace and take enjoyment from that

ok, how would you counter an edo hizuen team, with him in slot 1 and significantly higher ini and power? you cant stop hiruzen and he can easily wipe out 90% of your entire teams health before you even move

or

a dodge based team - shisui, minato with higher ini? you'd have to pop the dodge and then use immobile,acupuncture or chaos on said dodger after their standard attack of the round, but even then that would only work if the opponent didnt have any healers/debuff removers

or

root team? even if you have say han to remove root, if the opponent has a barrier and lightning armour you can kiss goodbye to atleast one of your characters first round

I've no doubt there are cases of f2p beating higher powered p2w, but as a general rule for this game, money is undoubtedly power