So, since you like to paraphrase, let me add some more information that you decided to leave out, the fact that I mention mounting of all economic flags, which makes the grind SUBSTANTIALLY easier to get to tier X. And that fact that @eagle_lance ALSO mentioned this.
And me saying "these are NOT mandatory" is true, for the high end competitive players, they may be. But unless your specific clan plans to beat O7 tomorrow, you don't NEED them to make you better, most of the player base needs to learn how to employ their specific game play before putting a UU on their ship and changing how it plays. (and if you play randoms, then you'd know this is true because people are getting to tier X before they really know how to employ their specific ship).
Every single competitive player that has the UU's that are of value and those that have the UU's that just simply wanted to get them, had to do EXACTLY what you will have to do, which is grind them out as well...
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