Hmm, that was a lot of Posts in a single day. Suppose it is a matter close to the heart of many a good player.
My current thoughts:
Clam. Overpowered particulary in large games where there are players that are not prepared for it.
Clam hoarding: boring. One shouldn't have to prevent people from doing it.
Vampire Queen. A recent complaint compared to the clam. I have not yet formed my own opinion on it. Bayushi Tasogare made a good point about the early expansion. In the late game I would say that it makes a lousy SC. It might be used as a 'super mage' in the late game, but I'm not sure if this is how it is used. Equipment on an immortal is sort of pointless, but buffing and combat magic can be used to good results.
There are counters, but it might be that they are too few or too obscure for most players. Perhaps someone should make a 'Slay the Queen' article.
One final note. Stop picking on the betas, pick on us instead. Most betas on this forum are rather new. They have had little to do with the balancing of the game. I'm the real culprit (or JK).