This forum is getting kind of ridiculous lately, though glad to see some cooler heads in here. There is nothing wrong with having specific requirements for different parts of the game. In fact, they should have done MORE of this EARLIER.
Almost any collection or RPG game I've played (and this is both) requires you to choose a path. If it was possible, it would have been even better if they had released Thrawn and Commander Luke at the same time. Then you would have had to choose to farm Phoenix or to farm your Ep. 4 toons; you would have had to choose if you wanted your OP empire toon or your OP rebel toon.
The real problem is that the devs have left it possible -- sometimes pushing the envelope; you had to either pay a bit of cash or be scoring high in the arena, but possible -- to get each Legendary toon as they came along.
Now, we finally have a choice on which path to take. Everyone is so focused on this one requirement (because that's what the thread is about), but there are more than one special mission in territory battles. There will be combat missions requiring Phoenix, Rogue One, Hoth Scout, Hoth Soldier, Captain Solo, Commander Luke, Rebels, one mission that requires light side ships only, etc.
You could choose to farm that Hoth Soldier, because you want to max that part of the game, or you could choose to farm Phoenix, which will still help your guild in territory battles, as well as put you on the path to Thrawn. Or you could have been looking for an excuse this whole time to gear up your Jyn, Bistan, and Pao because they looked fun, but didn't see a specific use or outlet for them yet, so you haven't. That's another path to be able to help your guild.
Choose your path. No need to whine about being "forced" to do anything. Gear 12 is not locked behind Hoth Rebel Soldier.