No they aren't necessary and there's no obligation, but I think a lot of players see it as a slap in the face and/or a bit P2W.
Consider this: the amount of things a person with only 2 retainers can sell, compared to that of someone with 8. Combine this with ventures, and storage space (which many people have been complaining about for a while) and its a bit P2W.
Think of the bigger scale.
We said this back when paid retainers first came out. When simple minions and mounts came out. Then dyes. Now they are literally doubling the amount of inventory space currently available by retainers (by 700) - but we have to pay.
We asked then. I'll ask now. What is next?
