Now you can argue with the meaning of P2W but when you can buy all the gear you want by using your credit card, that's called P2W in my world. It is P2W but it doesn't stop F2P players from enjoying the game. Tldr It's pay 2 gear faster, but F2P isn't locked out from anything, it just takes much longer. If you want to know true P2W agony, wait till you see games where some items that can only be acquired via cash shop or IRL money giving people an advantage that F2P people can never have (aside from speed of progression).

There are plenty of stories of a lot of people who are purely F2P who just put in the time/effort (admittedly a lot) to get to endgame status and being really good at the game and nothing separates them from whales (flip-side they might be better than a bunch of whales on a pure skill-mechanic factor due to time spent). Even costumes and items on the F10 shop can be purchased by selling your gold into HMCoins and using those to buy things on the F10 shop. However there is nothing that is locked out if you don't want to spend any real-life money. It is however pay to get ahead much much faster equipment wise (whaling/dolphining up with your credit card can get you stuff to put you ahead). I feel people have over-exaggerated and don't see the crushing nature of what real P2W discrimination can be.

Best gems blade and soul