Tell us how eras will work

I see a lot of frustration about the era content.

Here is where I am at, for context:

I have spent crystals for a few character shard packs so I could access the 4 star marquee, and played it daily to get those extra shards from the event (standard I have done since the new marquee system).

I spent crystals in the era shop for currency and materials to upgrade Luke's level to 13 or 14. I have completed level 1 coliseum daily to end up with level 16 Luke.

I can't get any further materials because I can't get to 10% damage against any col2 level.

Now I got to do level 1 of the era battle and that rewarded a pittance of the currency I have plenty of from the crystal pack. The free episode track has already given me way more of that currency than I can use with the zero materials I have. I see some (not enough for level 17) materials way further along the episode track.

Now what? Tell me what is coming. How will I progress anything? It must be coming, you said we can get to level 65. So tell us how.

I know people with level 20 Luke are still not able to reach 10% of col2, so that is depressing. Loads more materials needed to not be able to earn more materials.

Tell us the system. Explain it now, before people drop the game.