By Will Gordon
Greetings Heroclix players and fans of the competitive scene! My name is Will Gordon and I’ll be presenting a monthly player power ranking for this website of the top 10 Heroclix players in the world. I’ve played Heroclix since the first set was released and I’ve played extensively on the U.S. National tournament scene over the last two years- Worlds (x2), Nationals, ROC Cup, SQ’s in over 10 states. In all honesty, I am an average player myself, I lose as many games as I win, but I have enjoyed the travel and meeting the community more than I can express. I also analyze the ROC tournament results for the events I am unable to attend. Over time, I started recognizing the same faces consistently getting Top 8’s, Top 4’s, and getting to know, and play, many of these guys.
After returning from the ROC cup in October, I decided to compile a top 10 players list. I have never seen one for Heroclix, despite virtually every other competitive game around having one or more, or at least some discussion thereof. And for those of you who don’t consider Heroclix a competitive game, I think you’ve found the wrong website (I kid, I kid). Anyway, I feel I am well qualified to give these rankings based on my experience and constant scrutiny of the tournament scene since the inception of the ROC.. Of course, it is subjective. There are obviously great players around who don’t travel and play the tournament scene. Unfortunately, there is no way to analyze those players without results from matches with top players in big tournaments.
The criteria I’ve used are as follows:
- Tactics & Strategy: clearly demonstrated on the board skill-positioning, turn sequence/action token awareness, risk/reward decision making.
- Team-Building: choice of teams for tournament environment, knowing what to counter at the right time.
- Performance: PRIMARILY in constructed tournaments since the beginning of 2014, the bigger the better. ROC SQs, Regionals, World Cup, Wizkids Nationals, World Championships. I give special weight to World Titles, as that is still the most prestigious event in this game, despite the growing presence of the ROC scene and the ROC Cup being a close second in importance.
*Fair disclosure- I know most of these guys personally. I consider some of them, including the proprietor of this website, friends. In fact, one of them is my son! However, my rankings are composed based on the above listed criteria and I assure you that my views and feelings for the competitors will not be considered.
Next month, I will also list the next 10 players out, in no particular order. I will also go a little deeper into the criteria for inclusion. I hope you enjoy the list, agree or disagree. Please let me know what you think. This will bring great discussion to the game.
So, with all that being said, here are my top 10 heroclix players in the World:
1) Patrick Yapjoco
*2014 World Champion (Singles and Team)
*2014 ROC Cup Champion and former points leader
*8 ROC SQ wins
*Top 16 2015 Worlds
*7th in current ROC standings
*No ROC finishes below 3rd
Leader of Team Majestix. The streak he went on last year starting with the ROCs, then double team worlds, finishing with Dragoncon, was unprecedented. He took a step back from playing as much this past year, but still the best in my mind. He recently won the 1st Super Qualifier of the new season in Greensboro, NC earlier this month, for his 8th SQ win…
2) Kennie Pena
*2015 U.S. National Champion
*2015 Canadian National Champion
*Top 8 2015 Worlds
*ROC Regional Champion
*3 ROC SQ wins
*3rd in current ROC standings.
Leader of Team Pusheen. A close second. His streak early this year was also quite impressive, winning both North American National championships, a ROC Regional championship and a couple of ROC SQ wins.
3) Joshua Ernest
*5 ROC SQ wins
*ROC Kansas State Champion
*2015 ROC Cup 5th place
*2nd in current ROC standings
One of the most innovative team builders- he won a ROC SQ with a pog team during the time almost everyone was convinced you had to play entities to win a tournament. Hasn’t made the trip to Worlds yet, although he should.
4) Easton Brock
*4 ROC SQ wins
*ROC Tennessee State Champion
*current ROC points leader, 3rd in 2014 ROC standings
From Team Stratagem. Another terrific team-builder. Yet to win a big tournament, but his day will come. He is still a teenager.
5) Alex Avila
*2012 World Champion
*Top 4 2015 U.S. Nationals
*ROC Ohio State champion
*2015 ROC Cup 6th place.
From Team Rubicon. His teams almost never have any elements of the current accepted metagame and they always do well. Bravo. His lack of play on the ROC scene is the only thing keeping him from 3rd on this list.
6) Phil Isaacson, Jr.
*2014 & 2015 Worlds 2nd Place
*2015 ROC Cup 2nd Place
*ROC Regional Champion
*1 ROC SQ win
*ROC Florida State Champion
Probably the most consistent player in the world. First or Second every tournament entered. Unique teams and play style have made him unbeatable except in the final matches of big tournaments.
7) Paris Gordon
*2015 World Champion
*ROC Arkansas State Champion
*2015 ROC Cup 7th.
Leader of Team Ragnarok. Team-Builder extraordinaire. Built teams for numerous ROC SQ and Regional Champions from said team. In-tournament wins over #1, #2, #3.
8) Tim Bold
*2015 Team World Champion
*ROC Michigan State Champion
*1 ROC SQ win
Numerous top finishes in tournaments for years. Perhaps the best pure positioner on the list.
9) Derek Thompson
*2015 Team World Champion
*2015 U.S. Nationals 2nd
Doesn’t really play ROCs, I personally know him the least of anyone on this list. I have played him, though and he is a fantastic player. Always places high in big tournaments.
10) Isaac Berkovits ( the Eye-Zak)
*2015 ROC Cup Champion
Phenom. Ten years old and #10 with a bullet. First big win, but anyone who has played this kid will affirm that it was no fluke. He’s the real deal and will likely be at or near the top of this list for as long as the game holds his interest.
