I mean, is this exact format new? or has it been around before?
it seems like many play it fast like it’s been played lots before.
As for the locked characters/decks, they all seem to have better hero powers , quests, and cards in the deck. is the only way to unlock them spending lots of cash?
This Twist is 11 days old, and this is the first time it’s being run. Some people have probably played a good bit already and/or are more familiar with the cards than you are
If you do not have a lot of dust already that you can use to craft other legendaries to unlock their decks, then yes, it will likely require you to make purchases to obtain enough dust.
Al’akir is a free hero and seems to be pretty strong
thanks. i have tried the open ones and thought al-akir was okay, only until i started seeing endless echo cards (8?) played in the same turn on leeroy. idk how that many were created at once. or the 1 mana cards from the free mage and DK.
I just don’t see those cards when i play them. it sucks to have bad deals, draws and decks when you also suck 
for the most part dust requires me to buy decks and sets, then DE the extras. game doesn’t give much gold either