Makes you feel any better I was F2P until that $48 package came out. Prior to that I did the paid 10 pull and got my first DPS in the form of Luneth. Ok. Meh. Only other rainbows (not counting those from Raids or Maxwell) were Wilhelm and Ramza. Been playing since launch.

Got salty. Hell, I've been salty. So I did 2 10 pulls knowing that's never a good idea. Used all 30 saved tickets. Got saltier. Spent the $48 knowing it was a mistake and yes, far fewer $ than you spent.

Pulled the tickets. Nothing. Well, my 5th Rikku. Big deal lol. Anyhow, back to my pulls.

Did another 10 pull off the lapis I just paid for. Boom. Rainbow.

Tidus. Part of me was kicking myself for potting Luneth as much as I did, but you know what? So what. I will earn those pots again. I have a shit ton of TMRs too so that's alright.

....probably shouldn't have used the 80% in trust moogles I had recently...

Anyhow. Tidus. Thank you RNGesus.

Today.

Daily.

Tidus. Again.

WTF? Nothing all year, then back to back Tidus.

TLDR & moral of this story? Total luck. And? From me to you? As long as you are "willing" to make those purchases, akin to a gambler willing to lose his/her money, then it's "ok". If not, then it's time to call it a day and move onto something else. Reason I make this reply is that I've gotten by like so many others without a DPS to speak of for months. I have cleared every trial on my own and without cheesing them. It can be done and from my perspective you don't have to chase units beyond your comfort zone. I am sure your units are better than most from what you've listed here.

I wish you all the best and may you pull Tidus on a daily. And whether you are a whale or dolphin? Who cares. No need for labels other than a dedicated player :)