If you cant merch then its basically pay to win the best gear.
If you dont have max gear to do speed runs its pay to win with elixers.
If you want a arcane pet you need to pay 15 plat unless you can merch is pay to win.
If you dont have plat to do respecs every time a class gets nurfed its pay to win.
Getting on talking to friends and doing your 3 daily tokens and daily egg quests.....priceless
At least in pl (before elixers took over) people wasnt in such a rush or kicking people out of partys for not having elixers and getting at least 100k is very easily achievable. Imo sl and pl where the best.games sts made (even though i dont like.sl) and now there on the back burner and will probably be.deceased very soon.