by Will Gordon
Greetings, Clix fans. Lots of activity lately, with the 2nd round of WKO events and ROC state championships being conducted across the country, almost all of the top players have been in action recently. It’s also almost time for Origins, which this year will feature both the U.S. National Championship and the World Championship. There are over 150 pre-qualified for Nationals, a lot of top players in the field. Qualifying for Worlds will be sealed, which makes it more of a crap shoot, in my opinion. Either way, 2 of the 3 biggest tournaments in our game (ROC Cup rounding out the Big 3) will be going down in Ohio, June 15-19. Perfect time for new rankings!
Honestly, this has been the toughest time I’ve had compiling this list since I did the first one almost a year ago. I have adjusted positioning a bit, but with apologies to Jason Allen, Matt Greichunos, and Warren Ginn, no new names have entered the top 10. However, I would like to stress that this is only by the thinnest of margins. All 3 guys continue to win and are putting real pressure on the players on the back end of list. In fact, prior to ROC states, I had tentatively moved Jason and Warren in, with Tim Bold and Phil Isaacson, Jr. moving out based on inactivity. Then, Tim and Phil shake off the cobwebs, show up at their state championships and win! I know both guys will be at Origins, so I just can’t drop them on the eve of the big event.
Another interesting note- former World and U.S. national champion, George Massu returned to action and won a WKO event. George is one of the best players this game has ever seen and if he is active and engaged, he is a threat to anyone and could easily go to top 3 status with a good showing at Origins.
So, with all that being said, looking forward to seeing and playing many of you guys at the big show- here is my final Top 10 going in:
1) Patrick Yapjoco
*2014 World Champion (Singles and Team)
*2014 ROC Cup Champion
*10 ROC SQ wins
*Top 16 2015 Worlds
*WKO Winner 2016
Continues to win virtually every time he rolls dice. 3 SQ wins this year. Only 2 dropped games in 2016 so far, one of those on a roll off. Displays a level of consistent winning unmatched in the history of competitive heroclix. Pre-qualified for Nationals, looking to become 2nd two-time World champion- I wouldn’t bet against him.
2) Kenny Pena
2015 US National Champion
2015 Canadian National Champion
*Top 8 2015 Worlds
*ROC Regional Champion
*4 ROC SQ wins
Top 8 and Top 4 in two ROC states and Top 8 in Canadian Nationals this year, with quality fields. No weaknesses in his game- nasty builds, impeccable positioning, good decision making. I would be really surprised if he doesn’t add World Champion to his resume at some point- is this the year?
3) Easton Brock
*4 ROC SQ wins
*2015 Tennessee ROC State Champion
*2016 Alabama and Georgia ROC State Champion
*WKO Winner 2016
The most active player on this list with an extremely impressive winning percentage. Moving up 1 spot, never out of the top 4 and almost always first. Has yet to have a big showing at Worlds, this should be the year.
4) Josh Ernest
*5 ROC SQ wins
*ROC Kansas State Champion
*2015 ROC Cup 5th Place
*2016 Missouri State Champion
Dropping 1 spot due to Easton’s relentless assault on the tournament scene, but remains one of the truly gifted players and team builders around. Unique robot theme team earned him the victory in Missouri. Still waiting on his World Championship debut.
5) Alex Avila
*2012 World Champion
*Top 4 2015 U.S. Nationals
*2015 ROC Ohio State Champion
*2015 ROC Cup 6th place
*WKO Winner 2016
Like a few others on this list, the only time he’s played recently, he won- taking a Wizkids Open. Innovative builds, cunning and ruthless play, an encyclopedic knowledge of figures and corner case rulings- what else can you ask for in a player? He and Rubicon will be at Origins, although it would be good to see him more active on the ROC circuit.
6) Isaac Berkovits
*2015 ROC Cup Champion
*2016 New Jersey State Champion
Two ROC states with quality fields including Kenny Pena, took 1st and 2nd. Laser like focus on the game has this kid at a level few can match. I’m convinced he’s the real deal and look for him to continue to post wins at big events.
7) Tim Bold
*2015 Team World Champion
*ROC Michigan State Champion
*1 ROC SQ win
*2016 Ohio State champion
After not playing tournament clix since the ROC cup, Tim returned at the Ohio state ROC and took first place. Will be at Origins, would be really surprised if he doesn’t show well. I don’t know how closely he’s been following the meta, but remains one of the game’s outstanding on-the-map tacticians.
8) Derek Thompson
*2015 Team World Champion
*2015 U.S. Nationals 2nd
*2016 WKO Winner
Yet another player who shook off months of inactivity with a first place finish, winning a Wizkids Open. Looking to make it 5 straight Top 16 finishes at Worlds this year. Always a threat to win, despite sporadic activity.
9) Paris Gordon
*2015 World Champion
*2015 ROC Arkansas State Champion
*2015 ROC Cup 7th
*1 SQ win
After a strong start to the year, the defending champ has struggled lately. Looking to become first ever back-to-back World champion- however, without a strong showing at Origins, will likely drop out of the top 10.
10) Phil Isaacson, Jr.
*2014 & 2015 Worlds 2nd Place
*2015 ROC Cup 2nd Place
*ROC Regional Champion
*1 ROC SQ win
*2015 and 2016 Florida State champion
Rounding out the top 10 is the guy who has finished 2nd at Worlds the past two years. Returned with a second consecutive win at the Florida state ROC, but has not played since ROC Cup, otherwise. Lacks the lengthy resume of some of the other relatively inactive players on this list, hence the drop in ranking. Make no mistake, though- a gifted player who remains among the best.
So that’s it for this time, I’d take this list against the field for both Nationals and Worlds. It’s an interesting time in our game, can’t wait to see how things shake out at Origins!
