It can be both! It should be both! What is interesting is that SPL can knob up or down the difficulty to reward less or more ranked play in modern. The prizes could be extra Glint, reward chest, whatever, but since modern play ToS is manual, human play, it will greatly incentivize players to PLAY, regardless of win/loss record, thereby increasing match liquidity, and mitigating concerns of pay to win.
RE: Proof-of-Work Inspired Ranked Play Incentives for Splinterlands