Not sure how this would work.

whether they have a huge power advantage

or

similar power but still have probably better characters, with better breaks and the only stat that matters in this game- initiative. I would argue that skill is not a factor in this game, initiative and meta trumps all

either way, the whale is still going to stomp guys like us, the arena doesn't make it more fair or balanced, all equalizing the levels does it make it slower and more tedious to watch, the only difference between regular and arena is that arena is watching yourself lose to those same whales but in slow-motion. Atleast in regular sage if you get wiped out in round 1 or 2 there is still time enough left in the event to try and face a somewhat decent opponent.

true we can eventually get ninja, but we cant keep to hope up with the pace of them, the bigger whales could get half a dozen characters and/or breaks in the time we f2p could maybe recruit one.

and even then they still have higher init in all 4 positions.

Not saying it is impossible for f2p to beat whales in an arena setting, but in the vast vast majorty of instances, a whale is gonna kick our ass, whether it be speedy with huge power gap or more drawn out with equalized levels.

Or atleast that has been my experience, not saying anybody is wrong or arguing, just sharing, and from my experience, even as f2p I would vote for sage to stay as it is,