I think it can be fair either way - I’d just like to note that even the recent NAC3 paid out a prize pool for qualifiers in addition to the prizes for the main event. It’s also not uncommon; it’s seen in various tournaments for SC2 and Fortnite, for instance. The only unusual feature is that the difference in prize money for qualifying and for losing first round are closer than usual, but that’s more a question of prize pool distribution in general than having prizes for qualifiers.
The way qualifiers run for HC3 (and NAC3, for that matter) are more like a separate tournament that certain players were uninvited for based on their ability. In that sense, it’s a bit like rating restrictions, such as Aspiring Experts or noob tournaments, or like the Who’s Number 2 mini-tourney which actively disinvited TheViper for being rank 1. The prize pool just happens to include a spot in HC3 as well.
The way qualifiers run for HC3 (and NAC3, for that matter) are more like a separate tournament that certain players were uninvited for based on their ability. In that sense, it’s a bit like rating restrictions, such as Aspiring Experts or noob tournaments, or like the Who’s Number 2 mini-tourney which actively disinvited TheViper for being rank 1. The prize pool just happens to include a spot in HC3 as well.