I look at cp as training grounds. I go the second the apis is usable with the biggest fap I can use and just go for it.
I'm about 4k on the 5k aurli mission and I gained about 20 levels of blp hit/dam, 10 levels of evade, 7 levels of paramedic, 20 hit points, etc.
In the beginning it's pretty tough and nearly impossible to do more than 1 at a time, but you skill really fast. When I started, I averaged about 1 aurli per 7 ped spent, now around 5 ped per.
In the beginning, aurli are easier, but once your evade hits around 20 and paramedic is about 15, krelts are easier.
Bare minimum, you want:
apis + beast
grem + 5b's
sk-20 or better (I use the ekt-2600)
I've had soc mates give up with:
mixed 3a/5b plates
maxxed herb box with 2 enhancer slots
adj pixie instead of gremlin
herman 20's