by Will Gordon
Hello again, Apex Insiders and and all who take interest in the competitive heroclix scene! It’s time for my first rankings of 2019. The last few I’ve done have been tournament specific, but this time I am simply ranking the Top 10 active players. As always, there is a variety of criteria at play, but the primary consideration is wins; both quality and quantity; and high finishes at the biggest events. However, I would like to stress that this a subjective list and not just a tally of victories. I was in attendance for the World Championships at PAX in Philadelphia late last year and had a front row seat for the entirety of the Top 16 and watched the final match move for move. There were a lot of great players and more build variety than I expected. Congratulations to Tylor Spees on the well earned victory! I did have him in the top 20 going in, but I have to admit that I was a skeptic of the whale tech. Also, a quick note of recognition to Kent Munson who made it to Top 8 with a delightful super-friends build that no one saw coming- nice job!
Since the conclusion of PAX, there has been two rounds of WKO’s, ROC State Championships and a handful of high profile ROC/WKO events. Some of the big names have been absent from these events, some new players are starting to make noise, and some of the recently ascendant players have continued to dominate. I have to say that this has been a tough list to assemble. I believe the top 8 or 9 guys have virtually assured themselves a spot, but sequencing them is a tough order. Also, the competition for the last couple of spots is intense, with several viable candidates. With all of that being said, here are who I consider to be the Top 10 heroclix players in the world as of spring 2019:
- PJ Bolin
Some may find PJ an odd choice for the top spot, based on his failure to qualify for the finals at Worlds. However, his consistency cannot be ignored. No one has won more events over quality fields in the last 2 years than PJ. There are others who are close, but PJ gives himself more opportunities than anyone, and has a phenomenal win rate considering the level of competition that he routinely deals with. Accolades include a Canadian National Championship, almost 20 combined WKO/ROC Super Qualifier wins, multiple ROC State Championships, a 2nd at U.S. Nationals and a 2nd at Worlds Teams. The only thing he lacks is a World Championship and if he keeps showing up, I am confident he will add the chip to his resume at some point.
- Easton Brock
I am placing Easton in a spot he has become quite familiar with: 2nd. At PAX, he finished runner-up for the third time on the big stage, having twice ended up in that spot at the ROC World Cup in recent years. Has not played with the same frequency over the past year or so as he had previously, but is still a force whenever he does. When I watch Easton play, applying the eye test regardless of results, I often feel like I’m watching the best player in the world. He sees things on the board and sequences his moves and attacks in a way that is just qualitatively different from most other players, even ones on this list. He does have a Worlds Team Championship under his belt, but the top singles title has proven frustratingly elusive. I’ve said this before, but I still think it’s just a matter of time.
- Tylor Spees
The reigning World Champion enters the Top 10 at the 3 spot. Tylor doesn’t have the lengthy resume of the top two guys, but he has something neither of them do: a singles World title. He has also been unbeatable since PAX. Like I said in the opening, while I did have Tylor listed among the top 20 players going into Worlds, I did not expect the dominant winning performance he delivered. It is a strange dynamic. As far as I know, Tylor has played the same build for all of his wins. A crafty and underrated build of his own devising, no one has been able to beat him since Daniel Powell pulled off the feat at the ROC World Cup prior to PAX. However, nobody else seems to be playing that team. Usually, when a build has a high amount of success, it gets netdecked and you start seeing it everywhere. It is a mystery to me why this has not been the case here. Is it possible that the team isn’t actually very good or it’s so difficult to play, Tylor is just so good he makes it work? Or maybe it is really good and others would have success if they ran it? I’m honestly not entirely sure. I prefer players that employ a variety of builds and prove adept at different styles of play. While Tylor’s run has been impressive and he deserves full credit for the dominant streak he’s on, the jury will be out in terms of his long term sustainability until he has success with different builds.
- Daniel Powell
The two-time ROC World Cup Champion had not had a great deal of success since his big win last October, until his recent ROC Kentucky State Championship. He does have some 15 combined WKO/ROC/State Championship wins in addition to the 2 Cup titles, so he has shown a propensity for winning outside of the big events. Unfortunately, an illness prevented him from playing at PAX, so the anticipated quest to become champ/champ never occurred. I think Dan has let his competitive fire get the best of him a time or two in recent months. If he can harness that energy, as he has shown to be capable of doing, he will remain one of the best players in this game for the foreseeable future. I expect that to occur, just as I expect more big wins to come for the Clixed Off front man.
- Matt Greichunos
It’s been a pretty steady climb up the rankings for Matty G. Matt is another player who has done everything except win the big one. With a combined WKO/ROC/State Championship win total nearing twenty, as well as a 2nd at Worlds in 2017 and Top 4’s at US Nationals and ROC Cup in recent years, few can match the accolades he’s earned in this game. Has played every type of team imaginable and I can’t remember an event that Matt played and didn’t at least make the cut and make a respectable run at the win. No one would be surprised to see Matt win a World or National Championship in the near future. He also joins his Phoenix Nest teammate PJ in the Top 5, so you know a Team Championship (after a 2nd at Worlds ‘17) is a strong possibility, as well. For a couple of years, I had Matty just outside of the Top 10, but he has taken residence among the elites of this game and his Top 10 status is no longer in question.
- Isaac Arnold-Berkovits
The former ROC World Cup Champion and reigning U.S. National Champion remains one of the special talents in the game, despite playing a lean slate of events. I am more inclined to accept a limited playing schedule with Isaac, because I know he is constantly prepping with his father and the Four Points guys, and I have no doubt he will be in attendance and ready to go at the big events. With a lot of other players, if you don’t see them, you don’t know what the state of their game is or where their interest level in the game is at. Isaac was last seen bowing out in the round of Top 16 at Worlds, but I’m sure he will be back for the big events in 2019. Similar to Easton, when I watch Isaac play, I find myself thinking that what I’m seeing is at a different level than even other top tier players. Usually still the youngest player at any given tournament, he is also often the best.
- Dustin Seeders
Dustin has two U.S. National titles; both individual and teams. In addition, he has won double digit WKO/ROC/State Championships in the last two years, most recently winning the Texas State Championship this year. A player that isn’t afraid to play figures that have not been played on the tournament scene previously, often with great success. I must admit, I was skeptical of Dustin’s skill level initially, even after he began having success. His play style seemed a bit reckless to me and I was unconvinced early on. However, his continued success and maturation as a player has erased any doubt and he has clearly earned a spot among the game’s elite. It’s hard to argue that he hasn’t been the best player in Texas over the last couple of years and one of the best period.
- Lane Miller
Lane is another player that I have probably been a bit too slow to properly recognize. In fact, I’m sure he believes he should be higher than I have him here. He is a steady winner with 15 combined wins over the WKO/ROC/State Championship scene. He has also shown quite well at the big events, with a Top 4 at Worlds at PAX in 2018 (eliminating Isaac A-B along the way), and recent top finishes at the ROC World Cup, as well. Definitely one of the most consistent and active players in the world, and clearly a threat to win any event he participates in.
- Steve DiCarlo
Steve is the only player that I have not previously ranked to make this list. He lacks the lengthy resume of other players who I have not ranked this time, but he is an ascendant player who has been coming on strong lately. In addition to winning 4 WKO’s in the last year and a half, he recently won the Majestix $2k event. Steve triumphed over a small field of the game’s elite, including the guys I have #1 and #4 on this list (PJ and Dan), and the underrated Aaron Cantu and recent California State Champion Tony Rodriguez, as well. It was a multi-day, multi-format event that was designed to crown the overall best player. Steve’s win there proves he belongs and I expect good results at the big events in 2019.
- Tom Kerr
Despite failing to make the cut at PAX, I remain a believer in Tom’s game. There are other players that have a lengthier resume, as well as players that have been hotter in recent months. However, I believe Tom is a special player with big wins in his future, and his recent ROC Provincial win shows he is in good form. He won the Canadian Cup last year and was 2nd to Daniel at the ROC World Cup. Innovative builds and a daring play style helped Tom to be one of the top players in the world in 2018. I expect that to continue this year and I hope he attends the big events- the game will be better by his presence.
Well, that’s my Top 10 active players in the world for the Spring of 2019. I think it’s a good list, but it’s a razor thin margin separating these guys at this point. Since Patrick Yapjoco “retired”, there hasn’t been a consensus #1 player in the world, in my opinion. Easton was primed to take the spot, but hasn’t quite managed to win the big one. Dan was making a good case for himself, but has struggled a bit lately. Tylor is the reigning champ and looks strong, but like I said, I need to see him play different builds before I’m a full believer. PJ looks like the man to me right now, be also lacks the big win to make it definitive. Those are the top 4 for me right now, but I could honestly see them any order, based on slightly different criteria.
I would also like to recognize some players that just missed out being ranked this time around. The enigmatic Adam Friedman was the last man out, so call him #11. I also think Warren Ginn continues to be a top player and, as always, just on the cusp of the top 10. Brandon “Beezy” Shasteen is a player who has done very well of late, closing in on double digit wins in the last year+. He’s definitely a player to watch. Also DJ Riggans and Ricky Kirk continue to impress in their region (the midwest and New York), respectively.
I would also like to acknowledge two of the best Shredder players out there: Jay Major and Micah Love. Both have won multiple events over good fields, both made Top 8 at Worlds this past year. I’ll be very interested to see how they adjust after rotation July 1. Isaac’s Four Point teammates all deserve consideration: Ed Arnold-Berkovits, Scott Crampton and Matt Esbrook (who is the only player who made Top 4 at Worlds last year who didn’t make the list). Finally, despite some erratic performances, a couple of active former World Champions: George Massu and Paris Gordon, remain formidable players and don’t be surprised if one of them makes some noise in ‘19.
That’s all for now. I plan to release another list in early June that will be a tournament specific ranking for U.S. Nationals at Origins. As always, looking forward to any comments or questions and I look forward to seeing and talking with many of you on the road at Origins and elsewhere. Hope you’ve enjoyed perusing this list. ‘Til next time, keep clixing!
