This game needs a 'Gambling' tag.
After having played this game since January 2017 this game has become more sided towards gambling and the luck factor.
For example the new mercenary system.
My experience is that I have opened six elite mercenary contracts in a row and only got grade 4 mercenaries. That is six elite contracts in a row. Around $100 USD each. So $600 USD and no grade 5 mercenary. This example above is a form of gambling and it is disheartening and kills player motivation. Imagine you are a player who manages to scrape together that money. And six times this happens.
Now my experience with special operations and hero gear.
I'm currently all time ranking 22 for operations and steadily rising. Have been getting tier 4 legendary hero gear from operations since I unlocked my aircraft hanger which was well over 1 and a half years ago.
1 and a half years of operations I've not recieved one Thermite Grenade drop. Not even offensive explosive rounds. But have recieved a rediculous quantity of duplicates and been spending 3.7k diamonds to purchase required keycard to unlock the crates. Would not be surprised if in all that time I have got 30 or more SureFire Battlegloves. And 20 helmet/gas masks. But somehow not a single Thermite Grenade.
The more I play this game and am held back by the luck/gambling aspect. The more I feel Plarium need to on Google Playstore and Apple Store add the 'Gambling' tag/designation to the game.
P.S
Would appreciate input from players who have had similar experiences.