I agree with a lot of what you said. This conflicts even does feel like it is mostly for the whales. I will miss the excitement I had when I got a Carnage Titan from just 10 packs, and that is now impossible with this new system. I do think it is the right move, since it is good for the overall value of the cards, as well as rewards the holding of cards.
Your strategy of renting your cards seems good. I am waiting for the Conflicts to start so I can finally buy cards. Once people have opened their packs, there should be a surplus of common and rare cards.
Yes, this is what I mean. There was a chance before (and still might be if anyone is dumb enough to buy these Wagons with few cards). A friend of mine bought barely any packs yet got some drops. He's jaded now, like many others.