It's an interesting dilemma - one other factor is land staking - that could be used to maintain the value of currently existing cards - only make some cards in the new packs able to stake to land along with all of the current ones, so you have more selective use-cases.
I like the idea of time-release and the selective burn is a great idea too.
I'm expecting 10 million minimum this time around. Maybe even more, what with land around the corner.
Such a delicate balancing act.
I also agree it is time to stop giving so many benefits to the whales - time to focus more on the game experience for everyone, that requires making the pre-sale NOT that appealing.
Maybe just titles and skins as perks this time around?!?