Merrin S1 locked behind g12?

Like I said, at even the average, I think, player's level, anything non relic is near useless. I never go for any character that isn't accelerated, the only exception is I did go for Kyle Katarn because of nostalgia. But don't act like these factors aren't a gate. It takes how long for the average player to get a single character to relic? That's a gate. It's either time or paywall. And I'm honestly mind blown by what some of these completely free to play guys are able to accomplish.