HeroClix Player Power Rankings #5 – Will Gordon

by Will Gordon

Hello once again, clix fans- I’m back with the long overdue updated top 10 Heroclix players in the World list. We’re only about a month out from the ROC cup and 2016 Worlds and US Nationals have come and gone. Additionally, a couple of high profile ROC events have gone down with some big names coming out on top. The results have caused a shake-up in the rankings, with 3 players moving in and 3 moving out.

What the results of the last few months have shown me is clarity at the top half of the list and parity at the bottom. Patrick has clearly put some considerable distance between himself and anyone else, it’s that simple. Also, the next top 4 players in the world, as indicated by these rankings, have separated themselves from the back of the rankings, in my mind.  However,  I would like to say that none of the players I’ve dropped was an easy decision and I believe that all three remain top tier players who could win any tournament they participate in, including the ROC cup or Worlds. The key component in each case- Alex Avila, Tim Bold, and Phil Isaacson, Jr.- is inactivity. While, Tim and Phil did both recently win ROC State Championships, neither player qualified for the ‘16 Worlds final, and neither have played a significant event otherwise since last October. Likewise, Alex failed to qualify this year, has not played any ROC events since last year’s cup, and he won’t be in attendance at this year’s cup.

As I’ve said before, this list is subjective to a certain extent and I find the players ranked #5- #15 range very difficult to separate. You have guys who play sporadically with good results at Worlds/ROC final, but have little ROC experience. On the other hand, there are guys who have compiled an impressive ROC resume, but have not been able to break through at the big events. At the end of the Top 10, I will include the next 10 out (#11-#20) in no particular order. I think you could make a good argument for any of the guys on that list to be in the top 10- it’s a razor thin margin.15 of the 20 players on the the 2 lists look likely to be in attendance at the ROC Cup next month, so it should be a hell of a field. Looking forward to it, hope to see many of you there. So, with all that in mind, here is my top 10 heading into Roctober!

1. Patrick Yapjoco
   

   Patrick Yapjoco

 

*2016 World Champion
*2014 World Champion (Singles and Team)
*2014 ROC Cup Champion
*10 ROC SQ wins
*Top 16 2015 Worlds
*2016 WKO Regional winner
*2016 U.S. Nationals Runner-up

So, won the 2016 World Championship, 2nd at US Nationals, 49-3 record in constructed games at ROC and WKO events combined this year- anyone who doesn’t think he’s the best player in the world is simply failing to acknowledge reality at this point. Whispers of retirement from competitive play if he manages the ‘16 double, by taking the ROC Cup…

 

2. Easton Brock

*6 ROC SQ wins
*2015 Tennessee ROC State Champion
*2016 Alabama and Georgia ROC State Champion
*2016 WKO Regional winner

After a 9th place finish at Worlds (missing Top 8 by 20 points), and a Top 4 in US nationals, Easton added another SQ to his resume, going undefeated against a quality field. Remains the most active of all the top players and has done enough by volume to move up to the second spot.

 

3.    Kennie Pena
   

   Kennie Pena

*2015 US National Champion
*2015 Canadian National Champion
*Top 8 2015 Worlds
*ROC Regional Champion
*4 ROC SQ wins

Disappointing showing at Origins, failing to qualify for the final in Nationals or Worlds. Hasn’t been overly active otherwise and has only added a Top 8 at Canadian Nationals since last ranking. Obviously, still one of the elite tacticians in the game and one of the best players heroclix has seen compete over the last decade.

4.  Josh Earnest
   

   Josh Earnest

*5 ROC SQ wins
*1 ROC Regional win
*2015 Kansas State ROC Champion
*2015 ROC Cup 5th place
*2016 Missouri ROC State Champion

Sadly, did not attend Worlds this year. He did win his first ROC Regional, defeating ‘15 World champion Paris in the final. Consistent first place finishes on the ROC scene against high level competition, as well as a penchant for fielding teams outside of the accepted meta with such success, have Josh entrenched as a Top 4 player in the World. I know he’ll be looking to add the ROC cup to his resume in October.

 

5. Derek Thompson

*2015 Team World Champion
*2015 U.S. Nationals Runner-Up
*2016 Worlds Runner-Up
*2016 WKO Reginal winner

I only wish he played more- no ROC participation, at all. However, makes a run at Worlds every single year, making Top 16 5 years running. A second place finish this year shows that his skills haven’t declined and the big win may well still be in his future.

 

 

6.    George Massu
   

   George Massu

*2010 World Champion
*Former U.S. National Champion
*2016 WKO Regional winner

Perhaps a controversial choice based on overall performance over the past 2 years. Largely inactive over that period, but as mentioned in the last rankings, did post a WKO event win shortly before Worlds. Top 4 in U.S. Nationals, Top 16 in Worlds at Origins this year. If George shows up at any tournament- engaged and up on the current meta- he is a clear favorite. Maybe the closest thing to a legendary player heroclix has ever had, deserves a spot in the Top 10 if he’s active.

 

7.    Scott Crampton
   

   Scott Cramton

*2016 U.S. National Champion
*2-time Wizard World Champion
*2012 DragonCon Champion
*2016 ROC Cup Top 4

OG Scott makes his debut in the Top 10, haha. Racked up big wins and top finishes for years before I started paying attention to the scene. Wizard World titles, Dragoncon winner and now reigning U.S. National Champion. Doesn’t play on the ROC circuit much, but a Top 4 at last year’s ROC Cup was impressive. Terms like ‘crafty veteran’ and ‘knows all the tricks in the books’ come to mind- truly a great player with a lengthy resume that speaks for itself.

 

8.     Isaac Berkovitz
   

   Isaac Berkovits

*2015 ROC Cup Champion
*2016 New Jersey State Champion

Failed to qualify for Worlds final at Origins, but I’m sure he’s a eyeing a repeat of last year’s ROC Cup victory. I’m still convinced this kid is the real deal and I’m very interested to see how he fairs at this year’s cup.

 

 

9.      Paris Gordon
   

   Paris Gordon

*2015 World champion
*2015 Arkansas ROC State Champion
*1 ROC SQ Win

The ‘15 champ still takes heat as a one-hit wonder, but his post Worlds resume is solid- won a ROC State championship, and finished second to Easton Brock at another, SQ win, beating Easton in the final, Top 8 at ROC Cup, where he was the only person to beat World #1 Patrick twice in the same tournament in 3+ years, Top 16 at ‘16 Worlds, 2nd to Josh Earnest at recent ROC Regional event. An argument could be made for some of the players on the #11- #20 list over Paris, but the recent World championship combined with a consistent ROC resume still trumps them for now.

10.     Kenji Kaneshiro
    

    Kenji Kaneshiro

*2016 Canadian National Champion
*2015 Worlds Top 4
*2016 Worlds Top 8

Another potentially controversial pick to round out the top 10. Often overshadowed by his Team Pusheen teammate Kennie Pena, Kenji broke through against a strong field to take Canadian Nationals this year. Lost to Patrick in Top 8 at Worlds, giving him probably his toughest game of the tournament. Also Top 8 at Worlds ‘14, so that’s 3 Top 8’s in a row on the biggest stage. A player on the rise, I expect more wins at big tournaments to come.

Ok, that’ll do it for the top ten. As promised, I would like to list the 10 players I consider to be #11- #20 in no particular order:

*Alex Avila
*Tim Bold
*Phil Isaacson, jr.
*Jason Allen
*Kevin Afrooz
*Warren Ginn
*Matt Greichunous
*Daniel Joynes
*Michael Smith
*Luke Grace

Like I said, all great players who I’m sure would make a case for themselves to be included in the top 10. So, that’s all for this time- I’ll be back after the ROC cup, we’ll see how the big show shakes up the rankings. Good luck to all those who will be competing!