Yeah, you are right. I would even say, that if games do like splinterlands, sort of having some basic cards that don't generate resources until you "buy" a real pack, would be a nice way to start. And those starter cards could be some sort of "free to use" lands until you have effectively drawn some lands on a real pack, and that would replace the free with a real land, and start getting you rewards. That way, I think most players would start trying it.
Same goes for some basic stuff to plant. Obviously, that might add some complexity to the current UI, because it would not be based on blockchain data... but might be a good "tease" to players that just want to try.