Because this is such a tightly contested world that could go either way, I thought you would all appreciate an updated top 12 list from a highly skilled, non irrelevant player such as myself, I barely have time to type this because i'm so pro active and not simming.
Sadly, because all of the top 12 alliances are JFL I through XII, we will have to improvise and do a top 10. I might add a "where are they now?" section later.
1) JFL I - IV
- The obvious front runners in this race. Once the event ended, they quickly ran over Crazy Bears and then No Mercy's northern holdings. The change in tack from being a small alliance with a focussed core to a wide spread MRA took many by surprise, but has worked well. Instead of fighting against Strange and Skrulls in 44, and against Noots and Sanct in 54, JFL instead took in the former 3 so as to be able to focus on the latter and push through the centre of the map into AA/A51. Greatest threat to JFL now is Dom itself and the 40 member cap. They currently sit at 124 members. This will shrink over the next 2 months until dom naturally, but some forced internalisations, or people being left out might cause a spread out fight over the northern half of the map. This will likely be sporadic and quick though, with the top 40 still securing the win and granting Charlie the swords that others have been claiming he wouldn't be able to get over the past 2 months.
Franz called, and the elector counts gathered.
2) Glocktopus/krakens
- The only alliance that has remained unchanged and continues strengthening it's original ocean. (well, unchanged apart from a naming upgrade). Glocktopus are well placed in 45, and were this a game of 4 alliances all fighting out of 44,45,54 and 55 against one another, I think they would have a decent shot at Dom. As it is, they elected to side with JFL against AA/A51 and the ensuing Ghost train. This has likely cost them a shot at the swords themselves, however they're no doubt just enjoying playing the game and turning 45 blue.
If they somehow upgrade from 16 glocks to 32, they could maybe have a shot for dom.
3) Ghost Train Haze
- The remnants of AA/A51. These are the players who decided to stay behind and fight when the Voltron-esque JFL behemoth descended upon AA. It seems to be more out of defiance rather than a determination to win the server. Forming an alliance with Rabbits has helped shore up their south and prevent them from becoming food to everyone with an eye on 55, but their days still feel numbered when facing 2 glocks to the west, and Just for Noots and Just for Laughs continuing to encroach into the north.
I get the impression that they'll die gloriously, fighting for every city as opposed to retreating into VM or ghosting like a lot of the others in AA did.
4) Assorted Rabbits
-The Wacky, Silly and Ruthless Rabbits are fighting alongside ghost haze and so much of the above can probably be applied to them as well. In a straight fight between the three rabbits wings and the 2 glock/krakens I think it could be a fun and interesting war, however as of the moment, with their support and break attempts being spread across ghost haze and JFL assaults from the north too, they're struggling and Glocktopus are pushing ever further east.
They'll probably survive until Dom, but I think that'll be more from JFL and Glock slots being used up on ghost haze and colouring in the gaps in their own oceans than any successful campaigning on Rabbit's part.
5) PG
- Whilst not actually playing on this world, there remains the potential threat of pg dropping into ocean 22 and solo-ing the entirety of the server on his own in a series of "1 vs 1's". Many bookies are underestimating the likelihood of this happening so odds are looking good for those wise enough to invest into early bets now.
6) Mad Hatters
-Formerly Just For Smiles, this MRA has been hoovering up players from anywhere on the map, regardless of positioning. Previously under the impression that they were not at threat from JFL, this changed when JFL switched to mass recruitment. With slot no longer being an issue for JFL, the brown MH cities around them have started to be treated as food. MH are putting up a fight in ocean 34, but are at risk of becoming solely a rim alliance in a matter of days.
This may actually aid them, as it will help them create a core and collaborate over shorter TT's instead of being spread throughout the map. Will likely have no impact on Dom.
7,8,9,10,etc) Inglorious Fusion and Fission/Relentless/Musketeers/Omega
-These are the northern, south west-ern?, south east-ern? and eastern rim alliances respectively, with MH looking to become the western. They may actually see some success in picking off JFL, Glock and Rabbits cities with the upcoming events or due to their heavier use of naval breaks and holds than the predominantly myth based strategies of the core alliances. Will likely have very little impact on Dom, but depending on the size of the circle, could see JFL and Glock begin to look outwards and start seeing them as something to be destroyed rather than just an insect.
got a few hundred dollars to waste putting a scrub in his place