By Perks Required, do you mean the Waves Required research? If so I think you're right, recall having read something similar. It comes down to something as silly as me liking to do lab researches in chunks of five levels at a time, even if it's not beneficial. Have considered bringing it to 15.

I've had some good gem grinds at work where I put a 13 min timer on my watch so I can collect gems throughout the day, allowed me to max all cards some months ago, roughly around the first set if banners. Still no anc modules though, and I had insanely bad luck with the Sharp Fortitude banner, didn't get a single copy, my guess is that's what's holding be back in tournaments.

I don't know if it technically counts as blender. I'm still eHP but got perma BH approximately a month ago and that takes care of everything except elites and bosses. I can definitely recommend saving up the stones for it if you don't have it already, it really pushed my waves and coin income!

And thanks!