I currently have 193 ancient shards, though I'm still debating about whether I participate in this event or not.  I pulled 40 for the guaranteed Epic recently, and have pulled 180 or so for a previous guaranteed legendary.

The key isn't about buying all of the shards at the time of the event, but rather by saving up shards until you get an event that you feel is worthwhile to use them.  I also have about 35 Sacred shards waiting for something worthwhile.

It's also worth noting that I am completely FTP, and haven't spent a single dollar on this game

^^^ this.

Just save the shards

You can get ancient shards

• direct from dungeons (a very rare drop, but high level dungeons can drop ancient shards)
• possible loot from Clan Boss
• in the shop for the in-game currency gems (wich itself are given for free from the mine, daily quests etc.)
• tournament rewards
• daily quest cycles, I think you get 1 ancient for the weekly quests (?)
• for free once a week in the shop
• sometimes for 200k silver at the market

I have 143 atm, so would have to spend 900 gems. Just have to save them up.

OP, the game is about gathering resources, saving them, and then using them wisely. That's from the players perspective. Sure, Plarium would want nothing better than you buying everything, wasting all shards, gems, energy, then buying some more and do it all over again. But they also give the players the opportunity to be conservative with the resources, IF, and that is a big IF - they have patience and the strength of will not to fall for every bait event. That's why you have lots of people who are FTP and already in the endgame.

I understand your view on paying that much for an event. Just realize that everything in life is relative... including money. To most people $500 is a lot of money... to others it's chump change.  

For example:  

Everything I own has been paid off for several years including my home and 2 rental properties.  

I have a good job and still work 50+ hours a week (in fact, I'm there now 🙂). 

CAN I afford to drop the money needed to buy the 150 ancient shards and get Staltus, sure, no problem. It would not affect my financial situation at all.  

WOULD I spend that much on shards just to get a guaranteed digital Legendaryin a mobile game? HELL NO.  

Honestly, if you want to participate in this game you have 2 choices:

A.) Do your RESEARCH, make a plan for yourself, and USE SELF CONTROL TO STICK TO THAT PLAN. For example, You SAVE your shards and pick the events that you want to participate in. Don't impulse spend shards on every event that pops up. For example, I pulled ancient shards earlier this week in order to get double Legos. Since I keep up with my shard count so I knew how many shards I needed to pull to guarantee that I would get those 2 Legendaries. (They ended up being crap Legos but that's the way this game goes.) I already knew there was going to be a guaranteed Legendary event this weekend and I already know we are due for a 2X Ancient event on the 25th... I decided that the CHANCE of pulling 1 or 2 good Legendary Champions outweighed spending 3X more shards I would need to get Staltus.

B.) Spend a crapload of real money and attempt to buy your way through this game.

皆さんの貴重なご指導とたくさんの助言ありがとうございます。

確かに、頭を使ってお金を使わず、シャードを賢く貯めることで、自分にとっての最良のタイミングでイベントに参加すればいいだけですね。

禁物なのは焦りであり、我慢強く立ち回ることが如何に重要か、非常に勉強になりました。

よきレイドライフを！

Ancients 2x, check.

10x for new faction champs, check.

Garanteed leggo, check.

I have 148 shards and >11k gems, no problem.

And I'm dying from not opening shards in so long....

EDIT: I forgot to mention 27,000 path points.  Lackluster but as expected.  I now have all non-void sylvan epics, including dups of 3 for faction gardians, picked up Teodor along the way was the highlight.  Now I am... shard poor.

But, on the plus side, you now have a sub-2minute IG20 solo farmer :)

My Tyrant is already doing that sub 4.  He needs more speed and def to solo spider 24.  Do you think I should invest in teo to replace tyrant for IG?

Yes. Teo is like, one of my most-wanted champs, just for that :)