You’ll always be at a disadvantage if you’re trying to play competitive constructed without a budget. But that’s not what most MTG gameplay is. I agree construc

You’ll always be at a disadvantage if you’re trying to play competitive constructed without a budget. But that’s not what most MTG gameplay is. I agree constructed staples are priced too highly, but most gameplay is friendly matches, and drafting, where the game tends to be more about fun than either skill or money. You’re also forgetting one element of skill that isn’t always restricted by money, brewing. A budget swans deck has won a tournament.