Yes, the tiering is definitely evident and it's a bit complicated to explain.

In my case, I only had 61k Collection Power to start and I have been enhancing the collection through the secondary market as I have gone along (to me it is a bit like a challenge, if you follow my posts). I have enough of a collection that it can eventually be converted into something much more substantial, but those with a more casual and even a solely transactional relationship with Splinterlands (scholars) will miss out on the opportunities to create something that could be life-changing.