It's a vicious circle. You need LB2 heroes to compete in the raid tournaments to get better loot, but you need the better loot from the raid tournaments to LB2 the heroes.
It is -- by the original book title -- Catch 18.
I am currently levelling Vernon and Lempi -- who will definitely go to LB2 -- Aurox, Daemon, and Xnolphod -- who will go to at least LB1. Xnol likely LB2 as my only non-slow purple healer (and I do have his costume). My next Hero Coach target is Vaishali at 3/70 to save on darts and a tome. Tomes are STILL my biggest shortfall in the game.
