Re: Magic Packs - I just skipped the commons because they don't have a lot of value, not because they aren't used in decks ;). Most magic decks are actually primarily commons and uncommons with supporting rares and mythic cards. The cost of a deck that you can use for three years is under $500 and that's for the most competitive deck available in the meta right now.
I also agree with you that we don't need "starter packs". We should properly price the core set which would eliminate the need for them. Their whole purpose is just to provide a "cheaper alternative"... Why not make core set more accessible instead?
https://mtgdecks.net/Standard
To say that the most magic decks are primarily common and uncommon is misleading seeing how the top architypes are over 50% rares and epics.
Also to be clear if you spend $500 dollars on that decks today there is no guarantee you can play that for 3 years because these standard decks are combinations of all legal sets which means that pieces of the decks are falling out of rotation every year more than not.
This is also true of splinterlands decks. They rotate every 1 1/2 years... or is it annually? I can't even tell anymore as I'm not sure if they still plan to do mini sets and keep rotation at 18 months or not do them and rotate annually. I would prefer a new set annually and to skip mini sets, personally. Give us new reward cards that rotate with each new set too so that they are only in print for a year! :)