I have no other option than to be a free player, being that I am on a fixed income due to being on disability, so I know a bit about your dilemma... there are free, game-legal, ways to earn morphons to get the cards and gear you want.
I write articles for the game blog (The Sentinel, aka 'These City Streets') I am best known for doing the Character interviews known as “Hero Highlights”...
In fact, I am currently in need of volunteers to have their Characters interviewed. There is a card reward for participants. I would especially be interested in New(ish) heroes and those who have not been previously interviewed. (To participate, contact me by in-game mail or on Facebook Messenger @ https://www.facebook.com/chris.evans.904750/).
I participate in the frequent contests (Art/Coloring and Forum Fiction), I join every Fight Club, I level my character at what some consider an insane rate (but I have the power cards to surpass that speed)... I have in the past done Avatar item art (though that is not an option at the moment),
I also hit the game rewarded benchmarks at a decent rate... basically, I run a toon that would be considered a 'moderate spender', but I've managed to do it for free.... crystal cards and gear are useful at first, but it is possible to get full MP/spins gear without spending RL money.
So, in short, if you can’t spend cash to build your character the way you like, you can still achieve at least a moderately strong character, but you’ll need to invest your time and talents to do so.