1) Tiny Teddies:
First of all: Tiny Teddies. That's right. Tiny. Teddies. Outright horrible name for a grepolis-alliance, utterly random and totally lacking class, in my opinion (but fits well with their leader's pathetic nick ^^). All major alliances have been able to come up with decent designations except for TT. Still leading in most point categories (though other alliances have been catching up massively). Been able to poach a significant number of former ATTK-members, Gythium's richest player gold-wise among them. Their favourite strategy: Win by sheer numbers and raw force without bothering too much about tactics and strategy. Had an easy time with this approach versus smaller and less organized alliances, but are now struggling with several wars against major alliances. No more easy bullying for the bullies, therefore I wouldn't be surprised if TT becomes relegated to tier 2 in the near future, as bullies can't cope well with opposition and resistance. Nevertheless, as much as I dislike them, I gotta admit that TT includes a significant number of decent, experienced players who are a nightmare to play against ^^
2) Musketeers:
Strong, well-organized alliance with a sound strategy and game plan. Should topple the Tiny Teddies anytime soon. A possible weakness: 97 players. I wonder whether they all really contribute in a beneficial way.
3) Alpha Centuri:
The Musketeer's major contender for TT's inheritance. Maxed out with 100 (sic!) players. Nevertheless, they also seem to follow a sound strategy and know how to dominate and persist.
4) Grim Sleepers:
Excellent individual players who can pull off amazing stunts. Able to pull off a well organized, reliable defense but always good for epic failures when it comes to organized, coordinated attacks (and at least in the area I'm located in, tactical planning is almost totally disregarded and frowned upon). Low player count, which I think is a good thing. Going to stay near the top, but with the founder MIA and their top player gone (due to RL-issues), I have massive doubts they'll ever have shot at becoming Gythium's no 1 alliance.
5) -ABZ- (successor of Carpe Jugulum)
Somehow, Carpe Jugulum used to be my favourite alliance (even though I haven't read the book). Personally, I experienced them as the Romulans of Gythium, mysterious, seclusive and pretty much unknown. They were so secretive that they don't even seem to know themselves what actually happened to them when Carpe Jugulum disbanded ^^
Don't fight much, somewhere between major alliance and MRA, don't really see them as a contender regarding the top 4.
6) Memento Mori:
Don't know much about them, seem to be an average alliance, nothing spectacular about them that I would know of. Not convinced.
7) Black Plague:
Same as Memento Mori, 100 members, that's just triggering all MRA-alerts. Not convinced either, I'm sorry.
8) Noctis Venators:
MRAish alliance with tough luck, as they are facing determined Grim Sleepers who are preying upon them. However, they got an academy alliance, so you might claim that they deserve all the beating they can get. Besides, "no trader will be dealt with kindly" what's that supposed to mean?
9) KNIGHTS OF CHAOS:
Name says it all. And as if the key word combo "knights" / "chaos" wouldn't be enough to undoubtedly indicate an MRA, the founder(s) found it necessary to emphasize that fact even further by going ALL-CAPS. *shudder*
10) The Valkyries:
A name similar to that of Musketeers, low player count but high average points. Appears highly professional to me. An alliance which will most certainly climb up the ranking ladders and might very well challenge the major alliances sooner or later (if you don't consider them one already anyway).
11) ALLIANCE OF TAURUS:
Another MRACA (mass recruiting all caps alliance) in the top 12. Absorbing the leftovers of disbanded alliances, desperately trying to be taken seriously and/or getting into pacts. Either ignored (due to morale modifiers) or conquered (as soon as their cities become juicy targets). I pity them. Incidentally, I disapprove of naming an alliance "Alliance".
12) S.B.Makedonia:
MMRA (Macedonian mass recruiting alliance). Not an ALL CAPS name but an ALL CAPS profile: "[...]WE WILL BECOME THE BIGEST HERE LIKE ALEXANDER III THE GREAT WHO CONCQUIST THE WHOLE KNOWN WORLD FOR THAT TIME". Highly amusing stuff, srsly. Pathetic profile texts ftw =)
13) Who Are Those Guys?:
Name says it all. Would have deserved a special mentioning, even if they hadn't climbed to 13 already. 13 players with a point average of Alpha Centuri. Leaves me wondering who those guys are. Maybe communication therapists, as you may contact them in order to just talk about things.
