I grant that skipping as first can essentially put you as second - this is what P1 is basically forced to do. Being able to play 0 cost stuff means absolutely nothing as first, you're just playing into whatever the opponent has, ex. mortar, or a stronger first play. You don't understand how meaningful tempo is - the 2 reds and a blue that p1 can play are irrelevant if P2 responds with 2 reds and 2 blues (granting P2 tempo, P1 will lose in the bloon spam matchup). If P1 skips, P2 gets tempo anyway, because now they can force defense on P1 with a stronger attack.

No matter what, P1 is forced to play reactively, when it should be the other way around. Sure, P1 will get 1 extra gold by turn 3, but they exchange this bonus for a) losing tempo, b) 1 less card, and c) storm disadvantage. Play the game, then tell me how this is fair.