A(nother) alternative to PVE --

FaustianDeal

eliminate progression and placement both. And replace it with something that looks more like 'achievements' or 'challenges' that build toward something.

For Sub Nodes:
Each node in a sub has a defined set of challenges that could be different (for each sub or each event). Each challenge awards a different prize.
* Beat the node - 100 ISO (crit boost prizes should die in a fire - I won't list them anywhere.)
* use only heroes - 200 ISO
* only x-men - 200 ISO
* only women - 500 ISO
* only 'essential characters' 1000 ISO

In this example - if you can complete the whole map with classic storm, psylocke, teen jean (and they are all essential for that event) then you get all the prizes doing 1 clear. (This should not be easy, obviously)

For Subs:
Each sub has similar challenges and there are 0/9 counters for each node.
* beat every node - 2* cover
* use only heroes - 2nd 2* cover
*only only x-men - 3rd 2* cover
* only ladies - 4th 2* cover

For event overall
Same deal
* complete each sub - 4* cover
and so on.

Its not an exact proposal, the prizes need to be noodled on. I could also envision trying to marry this to tanis's proposal: https://d3go.com/forums/viewtopic.php?style=1&f=8&t=31383#p384479
Have nodes or subs award prizes in the 'event currency' allowing characters to convert it into whatever they would like.

This gets us away from 'placement' (which *should* be meaningless in a PVE context) and also shifts progression targets away from mindless grinding into different that people could find enjoyable. (I doubt anyone enjoys repetitively grinding nodes with the same team just "to finally get that dang CP" for example.)

I would also recommend redefining a 'heroic' event. Change it to be "you can't use health packs" Every hero starts with full health when the first sub begins and you wear them down throughout. Boosted health can carry over from one node to the next (or carry over for a set number of battles - say 3 nodes), but needs to be dealt with between subs. With each sub you can either reset everyone to full health, or restore 25% health - with different characters healing between nodes at different rates.

The fact that we can't use health packs would matter less to people if they didn't have to grind every node N times, and also eliminates the roster restriction of heroics - which most people, I would venture, don't really enjoy.

FaustianDeal

Or have certain nodes that award "keys" (for lack of a better metaphor). Set it up so that there are, maybe, 6 nodes in the event with a 'gold' key as a prize.

And the 4* prize character can be 'unlocked' (read: won) if you are able to secure 5 gold keys.

There could even be colors of keys - so you could have multiple available unlocks.

And, if you let your nerd run wild, the ability to up- or down-convert keys between key types. For example - trade 3 silver keys for a gold key, or a gold key for 3 silver keys.