1st pos stacking is not meta. Its how the game works better than spreading power. in cn things play different because they have p2 p3 p4 stacked as much as a p1 stacking due they 2 3 years ahead of you depending what server you playing on. But normally "meta" is the current best on a given patch update where "balance made" or something strong being discovered by strong influencing players streamers content creators.

stacking positions has literally been around on my server since i started playing. When Kahpow and Kozo were neck and neck for power, pow would always stack his equipment on p2 that way he was at least faster than Kozo's p2.

Not to mention the essence of team design has not changed. Immortal teams? Thats Sage of Six Paths Naruto buddy with Gaara, killer bee, and earth main providing shields. Naruto ronin? Well Lightning main, asuma wind blade, darui, and iruka.

Main root of the problem is that the availability of high tier power items. They take sooo long to get and cost a lot. So people will focus them one at a time.