by Will Gordon
Greeting, Clix fans! It’s June, which means one of my favorite times of the year 
is here- Origins and the Heroclix World Championship. For my seventh iteration of the Heroclix power rankings, I am doing something a little different. Usually, under the criteria I have previously outlined, I simply list the top 10 players in the world. However, for this special Championship preview edition, I am going with the top 10 contenders who will be playing at Worlds with the best chance of unseating reigning champion, Patrick Yapjoco. Patrick hasn’t played much this year, but he is still the world’s best player and I know he’d love to become the first back-to-back champion by claiming his third title in four years. A formidable task, but if anyone is up to the challenge, it’s the Majestix front man- I wouldn’t bet against him.
Two of the world’s top 5 players will not be competing this year- Josh Earnest will still not be making his long awaited debut on the game’s biggest stage and according to Adam Kohl, the king of Canada, Kennie Pena, will also miss this year’s tournament. The game is always better with those two involved – great players, great guys- they will be missed. And apologies to Kennie if the master of Trumpagorath has misinformed the public.
Again, this is not my list of the top 10 players in the world, but the top 10 guys that I believe have the best chance of winning this tournament (other than the defending champion). There is a certain amount of recency bias with this assessment, but I have also loosened consideration for activity level with certain players who have performed well at Worlds over the past few years. So, with that in mind, here’s the list of players I’m looking to make the most noise at Origins ‘17:
- Easton Brock
The easiest pick on the list and the clear #1 favorite if there is to be a new 
champion crowned this year. Continues to be a force on the ROC Circuit, with a Regional win in Michigan and a Super Qualifier win in Alabama in recent months. Has yet to Top 8 at Worlds, but I would be shocked if that doesn’t change this year. All signs indicate that this should be his year.
- Scott Cramton
After taking Nationals last year, didn’t fare nearly as well in 
the World championship tournament. He does have “World” titles from an era before the current iteration of the World championship and I’m sure he’d love to add a modern era title to his resume. As seasoned of a tournament player as this game has, don’t be surprised if Scott makes a run at the chip this year.
- Derek Thompson
Another veteran player, the former Team World Champion is always a threat at 
Worlds. With Top 16 finishes for 5 straight years, peaking with a 2nd place finish in last year’s tournament, you have to figure he’ll be in the mix again this year. He has the game to take it all the way, odds are it’s only a matter of time.
- Paris Gordon
The 2015 champ is coming in hot, following up a recent WKO win with a 
ROC regional victory in Texas last weekend. He beat Patrick Yapjoco and Josh Earnest on his way to victory in the lone star state, and seems to be peaking at the right time. A second title in three years is a real possibility for Team Ragnarok’s most accomplished player.
- Ed Arnold-Berkovitz
The reigning ROC World Cup Champion has to be considered 
among the favorites at Origins. He’ll be looking to join Patrick as the only players to take the ROC cup and Worlds consecutively. With his deep and nuanced understanding of the meta and meticulous play style, don’t rule it out.
- P.J. Bolin
My biggest regret from my previous rankings was not mentioning 
this guy. He has been torching the ROC and WKO circuits for a year now, taking down multiple super qualifiers and a regional event. He is arguably the hottest player in the game right now, it should be his time to make a deep run at the big show. I know he’ll be looking to make Phoenix nest proud.
- George Massu
The man, the myth, the legend. George has been actively preparing for this 
year’s tournament and I expect his best showing in years. I’ve always said if George shows up to roll dice, he is a favorite, period- nothing different this time around.
- Phil Isaacson, jr.
Phil is a player who simply isn’t active enough to be included in a
world’s Top 10 list, but his success at Worlds cannot be ignored. He was runner-up in ‘14 and ‘15, also coming in second at the ROC World Cup in between. I have it on good authority that he is prepped and ready for this year’s tournament. I fully expect him to be in the mix and a win is definitely in the realm of possibility.
- Kenji Kaneshiro
With Kennie Pena out of the mix for this year’s tournament, 
Team Pushin will still be well represented. They have several good players, but Kenji is the best, in my opinion. The former Canadian champion has posted Top 8 finishes at the previous two Worlds and is more than capable of taking it all the way.
- Isaac Arnold-Berkovitz
The boy wonder will be back at Origins. The ‘15 
ROC world cup champion hasn’t been very active of late, but I know Ed will have him ready for Origins. I assure you that this kid is no fluke- don’t be surprised if he starts adding World championships to his resume.
So, that’s the list. I could see any of these guys taking the title and if anyone is to unseat Patrick this year, I would take these 10 players against the field. With that being said, I would like to acknowledge a few other players worthy of recognition that would shock no one if they pulled out a victory at Origins:
Adam Friedman (wasn’t able to confirm his participation or he would have likely made the list), Patricia Lam (one of these days, it’s going to be her time), Aaron Cantu, Daniel Joynes (I mean, he has one twice, right?…), Matt Greichunos, Luke Grace (not sure if he’ll be there, but Top at Worlds the last 2 years is impressive), and last, but not least, while Alex Avila will not be playing this year, Team Rubicon will be in attendance and they have a bunch of good players with a shot.
Needless to say, there are great players with a chance to win who have not been named here. I am sure someone I know very little about, or even nothing at all, will make a run and maybe even go all the way. Like I said, I’ll take my list against the field, but this is a dice game, you never know what can happen. I wish everyone good luck and I’m looking forward to a great week in Columbus, Ohio!
