Can't Use Era Characters?

So I don't agree with this entire update, but at least can understand what they were going for.  Even though they missed the mark.

What I don't understand is, we are expected to work so hard, spend, rinse and repeat, but I can't even use this new character in any other game mode?  What I spend and get to actually use this new character in 3 months?  In the past, there was a possible benefit to fast unlocking a new character, but now they will drop in every other mode and can be geared normally, so no point to rushing.

So there literally is no point to leveling outside of getting r10 mats since once they can be used outside of Era, you can upgrade them normally, is that what I'm understanding?