To be fair, warstrider rules are supposed to be punitive and background sinky. It’s supposed to be almost impossible to begin play with one, and even high experience Exalts will often consider investing in one less useful than just putting effort into Charms.
Warstriders are useful when you can get them for Backing 5 (Lookshy) or Backing 5 (First and Forsaken Lion) or Backing 5 (Bronze Faction), because those people will have the infrastructure to lend you one on an as-needed basis.