there are many high level players 50+ , but the level-ups to 50+ , and ,recently, 60+ levels were allowed not so long ago
I have been playing this game for some time and from my experience, I can say that levels 1-20 can be done in one day
that is if you "live" in the game for 16+ hours, levels 20-30 take around one day each, again if you play heavily
levels 30-40 take around 1.5 days each , levels 40 and up ,probably 2-3 days per level
getting premium account that doubles your experience helps, but there is also this need to improve your spells and armies
it would be hard to find yourself level 50 with only grey tier armies and spells, "older" players will be killing you in PVP easily
so there is another strategy of levelling your armies up first, you can login and collect chests and bonuses and food and magic dust
complete only the quests that give you army improvements and do not rush the heroes levels
In my opinion, this game is pretty hard to progress fast for players who did not choose to purchase the crystal and premium pack, as the players could basically only purchase 2 food every 3 hours in the game using the in-game gold, it would take a long time to upgrade the armies. But this game still serve its purpose as an entertainment for players to play when they have some free time on their hands.
you can progress without any crystals or purchasing premium, I can attest to that
I have 119 crystals in the bank and I have wasted quite a few missclicking recharging armies for crystals or fleeing battles unnecessarily
I have several valuable items that can be sold for crystals if need be too
as for the food and magic dust thingy, you have to beat elite monsters and they will drop copious amounts of food and dust
it has been adjusted in the latest update, but I'm level 33 now and thy drop 1-6 each per kill still
it is not easy to defeat them, though and I've spent some good money on my items
another option, just farm the mobs and amass gold, food and dust is sold for around 450-600.000 gold per 100 on the market
and if you join a good clan, top players may even give it to you for free or way cheaper
in general- if you have time and you like the game and the concept, you will progress without a doubt
this game is new, it is being updated EVERY WEEK, means the team behind it is working hard on improving the things