Yeah, I popped a pack of Greasy Runtz and my keeper pheno is an all-time strain. People love it. I love it.
Not sure why Runtz is considered played out, really. I mean, I think that it's better in crosses for sure, but it really seems like the cannabis market is so fickle that people think anything that's gotten some hype is simply played out after six months and that's whether or not they've actually even ever grown or smoked the flower. Mostly sounds like anti-hype hipsterism to me tbh. Or maybe some mids packs with a Runtz label came through? (Not saying that hype doesn't fluff up some stuff that's all bag appeal, for the record.)
Is everyone's favorite breeder putting their rep on the line making crosses with Gelatos, Runtz, etc. in order to chase dollars, or is it actually good herb? Sure, there are some dollar chasers out there, but a guy like Mike who seems to always have fully grown out pics of all his upcoming drops didn't make a Runtz line for shits and giggles. If they were trash crosses the long-term success of his brand would take a hit.