An important point has been missed here. People say that WH/Chance/TDL could, if they put their minds to it, take on TBA one wing at a time and maybe win.
Now firstly, I'd like to know if any of the people making these statements have ever been actively involved in a successful resistance? Thought not. Resistances with far more motivated players have failed against alliances far less ahead on score than TBA.
Secondly, the ability to swap members makes it almost impossible. The difference in score between WH/Chance/TDL and SG or Overlude, while admittedly now quite daunting, until very recently at least was surmountable and comparable to differences in score in previous rounds with successful resistances (or at least good attempts). However, the main way resistances gain their initial foothold is by repeated rush attacks to weaken 20 members with large troop counts down to 10-15 before the more serious land runs start. This round this hasn't been possible.
I've seen many successful rushes, and indeed at one point SG seemed to be on the ropes, but some tactical moving of dead players and replacement with large defenders means that for all the resistances' hard work, nothing is gained. Rushes alone cannot make a successful resistance if they cannot be capitalised upon and converted to proper land runs. THIS is the difference between a single alliance running away and a block of 60.
A single alliance can counter attack in much the same way as a PB, but they are only 20 people and can be worn down with determination. As has been said elsewhere, the incoming from TBA is quite often manageable, and where it isn't a landloss isn't too much to worry about. But it is the inability to make any lasting impression when hitting back that has made any real resistance this round give up. The swapping of players means the resistance can't work on one wing at a time, it's all 60 or nothing. And 60 players means 3x the work for the resistance. Resistances often fail with a regular work load, 3x is too much to ask, especially when a large proportion of the active player base is unavailable to resist due to actually being in the PB.
I'd agree that prevention of powerblocks is more of a community issue than a game mechanical one, but I think this is one area that could make them more susceptible to a successful resistance. Sorting member swapping should be fairly easy to do without infringing too much on the rest of the game.
I did my on topic part, I kinda feel justified in indulging in this bit. The above stuff is what I'm really posting.
I apologise now for backtracking and going slightly off topic, but I had to make these last 2 points after reading through, really got me angry. Aimed mainly at JubJub, antinoobkiller, Eden and Davis:
1. I've been here for more than 20 rounds and have only been in a winning alliance once, and that was kind of by accident. I don't really care if I win, if I did I'd probably try more. I even quit the winning alliance this round. To say that I'm annoyed at a powerblock because I'm not winning is absurd, and the same applies to anyone else.
2. To say that Chance are a crappy land farm that always fake and fell at the first sign of a real wave is, either unknowingly or deliberately, ignorant. For weeks we have been giving as much as WH, been making just as successful defences, and no-one has ever backed out of a dangerous defence through personal score queening. Admittedly our determination has been flagging lately while WHs still seems to be strong, so well done to them, and I have no shame in admitting that WH are better than Chance for it. But to say we couldn't have had a damn good go at them when we were still active is insulting beyond belief. Remember that quite often the 'best' alliance doesn't end up winning.
Also, don't go giving yourselves smug pats on the back because you managed to win a couple of BRs recently. We've been on call to defend constantly for the last 6 weeks, we are getting tired, occasionally an attack will get through. Congrats. It happens. Being the only player this round in both Chance and the 'pro' TBA wing, I'm in a far better position than you to judge, so don't try and talk down to me. I know who I'd bet on in a head to head.
Edit:
[size=-2][16:39] <@Ahead> ROFL
[16:39] <@Ahead> MEGA ROFLS
[16:39] <@Ahead> CFalcons post was immense
[16:39] <@Ahead> and williamxnoob
[16:39] <@Ahead> just rofl'd it
[16:39] <@Ahead> READ IT!
[16:40] <@Beej> ok!
[16:40] <@Beej> all of it?
[16:40] <@Ahead> yes!
[16:40] <@Ahead> its lol's
[16:40] <@Ahead> you will read CFalcon's and think yes he is so right
[16:40] <@CFalcon> omfgroflbbq
[16:40] <@Ahead> and you will read antinoobnoobs reply
[16:40] <@Ahead> and be like
[16:40] <@Ahead> LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
[16:42] <@CFalcon> i don't even know where to begin
[16:44] <@Ahead> yeh im not even gonna attempt to reply[/size]