Welcome to the twelfth edition of Army Rivalries, a column that examines intense army conflicts. In this edition, we will focus on the feud between the Peoples Imperial Confederation and the Special Weapons and Tactics.
Designed by Wynn
BACKGROUND
Special Weapons and Tactics’ Founding and First Actions
Firstly, Ganger90 founded Special Weapons and Tactics as a rogue army on July 7, 2009 on Mammoth. Its activity on the server led to conflict with the Army of Club Penguin in 2011. Thanks to its historical importance, the army held the server in high regard along with many other armies. It was the most crucial battle server and experienced high army activity from 2006 to 2008. In fact, a year prior World War IV broke out over ACP’s attempts to keep Mammoth under its control.
Owing to this conflict of interest over the server, the community began to see increased SWAT presence as an army rather than a rogue group. Since then, the army has been a constant player in the army scene. With over 15 years of history, it has participated in many wars and tournaments and held many rivalries with a variety of armies. To note, the Agents saw success in major events such as World War VI, the 2013 CP Army Central Champions Cup, and many more.
Early SWAT battle versus the Army of CP – 2014
SWAT: The Next Few Years
Throughout the next few years, SWAT had its good moments, as well as some periods of instability. However, it remained almost constantly active until the original Club Penguin shut down in 2017. The army was not seen again until early 2020, when it returned to Club Penguin Online where it hit record-breaking sizes during its time there. Since its return, they have been greatly present in the Club Penguin Private Server era.
SWAT Defense of Permafrost vs LT – April 2020
People’s Imperial Confederation’s Founding and First Actions
On the other hand, Sidie9, a Small/Medium Army Legend, created the People’s Imperial Confederation on October 17, 2019. Soon after, the army was officially registered on Club Penguin Armies: The Game with the help of Sirproditor. Next, it formed several alliances, including relations with the Recon Federation of Club Penguin and ACP. Furthermore, RFCP and PIC created the Crimson Night Alliance with the additional members of Shock Troops, Pizza Federation, and Elite Guardians of Club Penguin. Following these events, ACP ended its alliance with PIC due to the Confederation’s close relationship with RFCP. Not long after, NotManuGinóbili officially became the PIC leader as the first non-founder to have the title.
PIC’s First Practice Battle against LGA
Following his appointment, ACP declared war on PIC in November 2019 as a pre-emptive strike. Shortly before, RPF Higher Command revived Arctic Ops, a 2014 army, as part of an espionage operation. After the army was invited to CNA, the staff members discovered alliance plans to declare war on its close allies. At the time, RPF and ACP were two of the major forces in the New Dawn Alliance along with the Lime Green Army. As such, RPF alerted ACP to the conspiracy which resulted in the first war of the new PIC leadership. The war ended the same week with a 6-0-0 victory for the Clover Defenders. Finally, the army shut down its first generation as its leaders headed to other armies. While PIC returned the next year, it did not face off against SWAT until 2021.
Defense of Toboggan versus ACP
Peoples Imperial Confederation versus Aliens – 2020 Challengers Cup
2020-2021: First pic-swat interaction
Early Wars & March Madness Tournament
Both armies participated in many wars over the next two years as highly influential armies. Firstly, PIC participated in one of the largest S/M wars in June 2020 against PZF, Red Ravagers, and several other armies. Next, SWAT’s Flash Nemesis War against ACP in December 2020 concluded with an ACP victory. Additionally, SWAT claimed victory in the Eagre Foray where Water Vikings officially achieved victory.
While the two armies were on separate paths, they finally encountered one another in Club Penguin Army Headquarters‘ 2021 March Madness tournament. Ultimately, PIC lost to SWAT as the latter advanced to the next round. Not long after, the Confederates moved on from its creators for the time being as they appointed new leaders. In addition, its third generation formed important alliances with armies such as Fire Warriors and its previous enemies in the Templars.
March Madness 2021: PIC vs. SWAT
Project: Conquest & Operation: Templaria
At the same time, SWAT transitioned to Club Penguin Rewritten and participated in the Project Conquest tournament. Next, the army defeated Templars in Operation: Templaria after TCP was removed from Club Penguin Army Network for toxicity. After the war ended, Legoman, SWAT leader, began repairing its relationship with PIC thanks to shared animosity towards the Templars.
Later, Legoman became an official leader of PIC during the army’s war against the Golden Troops and Post Malone Army in August 2021. Finally, PIC won the Fool’s Gold Wars with a score of 15-0-2 after GT shut down. Ultimately, PIC established itself as one of the strongest Small/Medium armies in the summer of 2021. On the other hand, new conflicts challenged the relations they formed.
SWAT Invasion of Ice Cold
PIC Defense of Mittens vs. Golden Troops
second interaction: World War VIII
In October 2021, Silver Empire declared war on Help Force after the latter planned an invasion of the former’s Down Under. Soon after, the war escalated as SE created the Western Bloc alliance. Alliance members included SE, WV, and SWAT. Subsequently, HF responded by creating the Vengeance Alliance. The Helpers joined ACP and RR to defeat its months-long enemy in SE. Furthermore, the Red Dawn Alliance which consisted of PIC, TCP, and RR also offered support to the HF alliance. With both sides established, the conflict escalated into a community-wide war that concluded with no official victor. Most importantly, it marked the first time SWAT faced off against PIC in a conflict albeit indirectly.
Vengeance Alliance Invasion of Cream Soda
Vengeance Alliance Invasion of Ice Breaker
MAY 2024 pic vs. swat war
While the two armies were on the same side of WWIX, both still held harsh feelings towards one another. Next, PIC’s dominance of the S/M community in 2021 inspired the army to issue a declaration against SWAT. In the declaration, they also alleged that SWAT engaged in slander against the army and allowed questionable people in this eir ranks. As such, SWAT claimed that PIC was jealous of the army in its response to the declaration. At the same time, PIC added additional staff with Ggogle as 3rd-in-command and Sweater in the leadership position again. They both brought significant experience that was needed to win the war.
Finally, PIC won every battle with a clean sweep of the Agents. After its victory, the Oliver Branch peace treaty was signed by both armies. The treaty prohibited any conflict between the two for one month unless the terms were violated.
The Oliver Branch treaty. Click to enlarge
As of today, both armies are still officially enemies according to their respective nation pages.
Conclusion
Throughout the years, both armies made their mark on the community through their participation in wars. For example, SWAT’s rivalries with several armies and their controversial nature secured the army a lasting legacy. Moreover, PIC produced one of the most successful runs by an S/M army in the CPPS era. Generally, both armies established themselves as influential armies that kept the community interesting even today. What do YOU think of the PIC vs. SWAT rivalry? What other S/M armies are similarly influential?
Aurora
Reporter