Still dead, unless you're a part of a group of friends over there... If you don't know anyone, there's too much competition for group events where you just get stuck sitting in Novo with nothing to do...
This is very similar at f2p, if you are free user and play less:
In top guilds not everyone is at top 12 to be in raid.
In top guilds there are 4 group for Domi others are "training"
In f2p you can pay a little or more to have better runes and better GS and better CS to get a slot maybe.
In subscription they fear they position and not realy want some ppl to let in.
O f2p not top guilds:
At raids fail,because no tactics, no gear, no runes, or just fail attitude.
At Domi is more fail, becasu usually stronger opponents will attack your guild.