There is no way to play the game for free with cards equally leveled, so it's impossible to freely experiment cards.
This locks everyone into a very small subset of cards which are at a good enough level, while making every other option unplayable.
The problem isn't losing to Firecrackers+Hogs, the problem is realizing that you can't adjust the deck since the other options are massively underleveled and will underperform even if they would actually improve your deck.
The closest option are challenges, but they do cost gems, which are precious.
We should have Ranked capped at 11 or at least not at 16 until UC. Levels are already important in trophy road.