It felt more linear to me. I had harder battles earlier than normal (I've got a nearly 28k power arena team) but still was able to run my Bariss healer/assist squad (Bariss, JC, Lumi, GS, IG-86) through most of it and complete it. I threw away a couple D squads mainly against Poggle teams in the mid rounds. Saw a few interesting mashed up teams later rounds that were pretty easy. I put that to GW in general being harder late rounds for people not quite at my power level and them having to pull people off the bench rather then presenting their A teams.
Still had all my top 3 teams available for the final round.
