Talking a bit about the pay to win, it doesn't make much of a difference, it's all about your quick thinking and a good strategy.
Isn't this the kind of game where paying only gets you more heroes and upgrades? You might be a bit stronger that the F2P-players in the lower leagues but eventually you'll reach the higher leagues and meet players who also spend money and you'll be back to square one.
Yes brother you are right, you pay to get heroes and some other advantages, but sometimes it is useless to pay if you do not know how to take advantage, and it is as you say, you return to the same thing, everything is in using good strategies and have a good deck that you feel comfortable, thanks for stopping here and look at my post, greetings brother.