It totally does... I've only got Level 1 cards at the moment, so you're well ahead of me in terms of knowledge and skillage. I was worried that if I combined cards that would put me up against people I wasn't ready for... but it looks like I'd have to upgrade my summoner first, and then my actual ranking would keep me against people of my own level.
Haha, the $3 USD was after I had bought the starter pack for $15 USD or whatever it was... but that's cool.. clearly there's the luck of the draw with these things.
You helped heaps! Thanks!!