So, the sc@mb@g move has been confirmed. I really feel bad for those that miss out on the next tier of Exec.
I've been complaining in several threads for the past week about the possibility of this being a deliberate act to monetize their own mistake. Speculation is now reality. Everyone who signed up to that fateful week of GAC gets the same reward, irrespective of league or their round 1 result. Zero analysis required, just a go-slow to milk the Executor event. Smoking gun if I've ever seen one.
About a week ago, I started going slow on my daily energy refreshes and my Conquest refreshes, even pausing all refreshes entirely for 3-4 days in anticipation of the Executor event. Today, had just enough crystals to go from bottom of 5* all the way to 7*. Thank you MS Excel.
My advice to the ftp or small spenders is to get serious about budgeting your resources. Set goals and set out a plan to reach those goals. Use the various tools out there such as the panic farm calculators or even a spreadsheet like I did if you know how. Don't just smash those green "+" slots on random toons cos you can. Follow your plan. Farming a GL? Do not gear anyone else unless it's for the prereqs. Cos this sh!t is gonna happen again.