Yeah, when you stated in another thread that Xena was F2P, I disagreed with that pretty strongly.
So, we have someone F2P in our cluster who really wanted Xena, and had a lot of saved resources from skipping many fusions lately. They've dumped all their saved shards, gems, etc and didn't get her at all. They've dumped the little bit they gained from CB since, when the next Xena event came up. I'm sure they'll dump whatever small amounts they have earned since on the current one too.
Personally I have spent 70 sacreds and over two thousand ancients on Harima events since she came out, all on her 10x events, almost exclusively when her 10x is paired with 2x events for that particular shard type. I've pulled 3 Truaths, but no Harimas. That has been ALL my shard resources (and a solid chunk of my gem resources) since her debut. I even use Broadmaws and Relickeepers and other fusions to avoid spending shards on Champ Chases during fusions, and skip as many Summon Rushes as possible. :)
What champs are actually possible for F2P to get, it's perhaps different than you might assume, as a spender. And perhaps different from assumptions is what long term F2P folks actually find bothersome. What these limited time events feel like to me, more than anything, is just another 10x or Progressive Event. They are limited time events where, if I really want, I can dump whatever resources I have to get a small shot at a particular champion.
Really, I agree with Trips that the best advice is not chasing anything. Of course, I fail to do this myself with my chasing after Harima...haha! But it IS the best advice.