no you are not unlucky, I also am stuck not being able to get the basic knowledge needed to rank up. I was at it for three days and nothing. someone told me during one of the 2x reward events it got bugged . have you heard anything more on that.?
i bought a crit mount and retrained my character ,, i am pulling 5 mil more in skirmish now. my defense is kinda not tanky enough so i will reinforce my armor with defense and power