Speaking for myself I'm not sure I rushed it....unless you call playing it a lot rushing it. I had some help with Crystals as an ex-GH player that really helped. I'm getting hit everyday just like you! I don't have the best ships either! So it needs to be kept in perspective. Use AP wisely, play the game and you will enjoy it whether you win or not.
There are many items in the game that cannot be bought most of those are rare and high end. That brings the equality! The random factor adds to that in all areas as long as random is not aimed at low end. In any game its a fine line between giving everything up against holding back to make sure gameplay is there for everyone. A game can be made or lost on these decisions. The best games are those that have player connections with the devs/company. One of the best things that Astronest has...and ore importantly being responsive. I may not like an answer but getting one is the most important thing.
I hope to Astronest make the walk on the line succesfully. Keeping everyone happy is hard...but the focus should be on the active players regardless of level, howeever the actives tend to be cocentrated at the higher levels. If you don't look out for active players they will eventually get bored and go elsewhere. That can be disaster for everyone, Astronest has a good pedigree...so it should be all good.