The problem would have existed if con artist was banned or not. The issue was the ability to make numbers that unbalanced the game. Why ban something that wasnt the cause? why not change the source of the issue and make the game better?

The Wikipedia article for the Star Wars CCG by Decipher noted its (at the time) unique approach of never banning cards, but instead loading subsequent sets with 'silver bullets'...

I'm happy to see that route taken in Heroclix, rather than a ban list and as a second alternative to rules changes. Kid Zoom, Black Flash, Phantom Girl, JJ Jameson, Speedy, Songbird, and numerous other special-power-laden characters are great examples of non-intrusive ways to deal with 'problem' game elements.

Whoosh over the head

I'm not sure. How many Harley Quinns or Rookie Plastic Men can you fit on a 300 point team? Sure, 27 points for Harley is still fairly inexpensive (and a similar cost for the unique JJJ). But I think there's a world of difference between them. Even putting 4 Harleys on a team is over one-third of your team, while 4 Con Artists is less than one-sixth.

I don't think anybody feared the multi-Harley teams as much as the Con Artists. And I doubt there would have been a Rule of 3 if Harley remained the least expensive Perplex. Especially since you could just go ahead and shoot for 5 damage with Firelord for 81 points.

Sometimes it's just not worth bothering.

So you want them to ban a figure and limit figure design forever instead of changeing the rule and protecting yourself for any future figs you make?

Why do you keep supposing that I have an opinion one way or another?

I'm just pointing out what they seem to have done. I don't know why you want to attribute some sort of opinion to these facts.

I'm saying that it appears that Wizkids would prefer to rewrite the rules rather than ban a figure. I am stating no opinion regarding what would be preferable.

Don't know about officially banned figs/cards, I DO know what's been banned at the local tourney.

Vendetta: It muddied the waters in term of point tally. While we do go by Wins first and then points, the card makes it nigh-impossible for anyone to win unless their using it. And after the same person keept winning every week, the judge had to do something.
When it was re-made in SI, he gave it another chance, only for the same thing to happen. It's now allowed only for a 2k-ad/U-Xmen point bonus.
Lazarus Pit: While it works in reverse, it gives the same effect. People would target whoever had laz pit on them, and focus on double-killing them for more points, giving them an unfair advantage.

Support: Prolongues the games, and wen we got 150 mins of play, we need all the time we can get. While not outright banned per-se, but you do get hazed for using it.