Well, I had to create a second and new account to play on the second PS4, and wanted to recount my opinions on the new player experience.
The good:
Bought the comic and had a code, and also got a free new player code (came with a Viper) Haven't played either premium (as perhaps a new player shouldn't) but the combo netted some nice silver and premo time- I felt rich!
Proving grounds are indispensable! Helped with mechanics and tutorials. Completion netted reasonable xp and silver to get to tier II and III
War Stories is also huge for new players! Live fire is awesome for some mechanics. Completing the first series gives lots of free xp and silver and a few other nice toys (garage slots)
Played mutliplayer for two games at tier II and was up agaisnt all tier II players- a couple of wins is great xp
There are no crews at all and just unlocked equipment and consumables so these aren't introduced to new players at the outset, which I think is good to avoid confusion
The bad:
Even after the freebies and silver I only have enough to buy one piece of equipment at tier III, which I haven't done
The new Merc line and opps are a pipe dream for new players- ops are prohibitive- which is maybe ok
Tech trees just kind of pop up and there they are. Maybe some explanation/summary of some of the differences to help new players make choices?
The ugly:
Tier III multiplayer was brutal. I only played two games and turned it off. Platoons everywhere. Platoons of Blitzens rampaging through maps. Platoons of camoflaged tanks with flags flying (not new players at all) zooming around for two hideous a@@ kickings. No crew, supplies or equipment put me behind the eight ball in any case, but a brand new player can't be encouraged by this. I thought new players were in a separate que? Maybe up untill tier III?
In short it starts off fun, but I maintain that new players need to be kept away from seal clubbers. Some may disagree, but a brand new player might really need to love tanks to continue to grind.