I agree. I don't like that dragons and phoenixes are only receivable from chests. I would much rather have them be available directly in game (perhaps as insanely rare drops, maybe from those dragons wandering the lands dropping the items for seasonal events). However, because the eggs are tradeable, it's still technically obtainable without buying plat...but barely. Yes prices are insane, but still workable if you have the gold.The token pets are fine imo. But the phoenixes/hatchlings are imo far superior to any other dps pet.
Right now, the best pets are already not accessible anymore trough free to play methods, but require in some extent the purchase of platinum( not arguing about merching to buy the items from the plat buyers).
I know that VR needs to make money somehow, and so far it hasn't been unbearable because pretty much everything is tradeable, so I can't really complain too much.