A lot of info and opinion iBork....a few thoughts...
1) Lopsided bases v Engineering.
The earliest reference to lopsided bases that I'm personally aware of can be found here in an interview between Jonas and Chief Pat published in November 2015 (22.40) :-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puV_QBYPxKk
There may be earlier references, I'm just not aware of them. Jonas uses the phrase "t
hese players with these extremely lopsided accounts"
In context, Jonas is specifically referencing Pat's own defenceless account, that he was running at the time.
With regard to Engineering, this is a community defined term that has been used since the dawn of clan wars.
It is an all encompassing term that reflects all aspects of attempted matchmaking manipulation. These very forums are littered with historic references to all kinds of engineering, for example this one published in early Nov 2015 about X.5:-
https://forum.supercell.com/showthre...rs-are-welcome
To state that there is 'no such thing as engineering' is inaccurate.
Engineering has always existed in many forms, lopsided bases is just one facet.
2) Individual bases.
While I'm certainly not making assumptions about the MM system as of August 31st 2017, to state that MM doesn't look at individual bases is also a statement that historically I cannot agree with.
In the 'From the Devs desk : Clan wars matchmaking' announcement of March 3rd 2016 the Developers stated :-
"Additionally, Clan Wars matchmaking has been fitted with new routines aimed at better balancing entire teams, rather than just individual lanes"
It's clear that individual lanes and bases have indeed been 'looked at'.
https://forum.supercell.com/showthre...rs-Matchmaking
3) Additional Routines/Checkboxes
Nowhere in your post have you referenced these checkboxes/routines that we know exist, regardless of individual or clan war weights. 'Recent war performance" being the obvious example.
4)Out of balance line up
I do share your thoughts here to some degree. I've always suggested a balanced bases within a balanced roster approach, should be at least considered by players/clans, especially if it increases the likelihood of finding a clan with a similar roster, but this is obviously just a potential help to avoid engineered clans, and certainly isn't the holy grail answer, as statistically there's always a chance that the matchmaker can throw a curve ball.
Just my thoughts!:thumbsup: