My main (which I can't post with as it's Steam) just got Tier 3 access, with everything 4* bar a 3* gun, as I'm almost depleted of crowns and energy and can't afford to make a Firo Driver right now.
Thing is, I've heard nothing but bad things about how nasty Tier 3 is. I'm concerned that since I'm using the Wolver line, a lack of elemental resistance means everything down there will one-shot me. I usually don't party except for Jelly Palace and Arenas, as I find it easier to manuever around mobs when they're only focused on me, not to mention the lower health and only 1x Phantom in graveyards.
Anyways, while I build up my energy and crown reserves again, should I just look for 5* recipes on the AH and make them before risking T3 ventures? Or perhaps I should start from scratch and build an elemental gear set? Bear in mind that I'm never going to spend real cash on CE, so this'll be extremely slow.
Tier 3 is absolutely brutal the first few times you venture down there because all the mob attack timings that you previously learned no longer apply. Mobs attack faster, recover faster and do more damage. The first time I went into T3 I died at least twice every level; it was really bad.
That said, once you get used to T3 it's really not that bad. Just be aware that all the behaviors you learned in T1-2 will generally get you killed in T3. T3 is all about picking your fights carefully; if you try just randomly swinging away you're going to die very quickly.
I suggest you upgrade your weapon to 5* first; almost everything in T3 will hit you for 4+ bars no matter what your defense. Learning to not get hit (primarily through dodging) is how you will have to play.