Progress after 12 months
Today represents one year since I first started playing ABTF. Here is what I have been able to achieve within that time without spending ANY money:
50 active characters out of the currently available 52 (Nemesis & Drift missing). Nemesis was offered before I knew what Events were about, and each time Drift has been offered I have obtained a different character instead.
Rank 618 (Rescue Bot). 26 Characters upgraded to Level 15+, 21 to L9, and 3 in-between. 1 Overpowered to L17, 2 to L16
All 48 Energonicons. 14 of 17 squads complete.
86 of 86 Achievements - all but one achieved within 5 1/2 months. The last one (travel 5000 miles) took me 8 1/2 months to complete.
Sparks - One character promoted to 140%, 15 others (typically one from each squad) promoted anywhere between 25% and 70%.
I have played fairly intensely at times, but I think that some of the comments from new players on here show that new participants can progress adequately regardless of their disadvantage to long-term players. Having said that ... IT IS A GRIND!
Good luck to all, and thanks for the comments and tips on here which have been very helpful and great to read.