The costs are determined by players with supply and demand on the TP. I hadn’t done fractals from a week or two after they first launched until about two years ago. I’d had a lot going on IRL so I wasn’t playing much. When I started playing regularly again and began to work my way up fractals I was just fine with the rings that drop in the low levels, buying / upgrading the fractal backpack, and buying the accessories from the fractal / laurel vendors. Once upgraded, the 5 trinkets alone give you 10 infusion slots (3 per ring, 2 for back, and 1 per accessory). Put +9 infusions in them and use an Anguished Tear of Alba and you can do all of T3s, no ascended armor or weapons required. At that point you’ll have better chances of getting ascended material and weapon / armor box drops from chests. It took time, but I’ve geared all 9 of my characters in full ascended everything and only crafted maybe 5 pieces. And there are other avenues that new players can take to try getting ascended gear. Tequatl world boss has a chance to drop boxes (besides the Tequatl’s hoard), as does Triple Trouble world boss. You aren’t restricted to just crafting.