Tournaments have always been one of the greatest exciting and defining elements of Club Penguin Armies history, with heated rivalries, strategic disputes, and unforgettable moments. Among its most historic editions, March Madness II is one of the Club Penguin Army’s most timeless and classic events. In this edition of Picture Perfect, we will delve into the history of March Madness II.
Designed By Cassie
ORIGINS OF MARCH MADNESS
Introduction of The Tournament
A lively homage to the NCAA’s month-long basketball event, Club Penguin Army Central debuted the CPAC March Madness Tournament in February 2013. The concept was to create a Sweet Sixteen bracket spanning four weeks, with battles set every Saturday during March. Initially announced on February 25, the tournament’s framework was diligently detailed, including updates on participating armies and judge assignments—such as Garrett, Flo, BrassAssDash on Saturday, and Freezie, Davik, and Superoo13 on Sunday—while CPAC Editor in Chief Paco ensured unbiased oversight.
CPAC announced the establishment of March Madness I.
The original post outlined essential guidelines drawn from CPAC’s default rules (no bots, no multi-logging, and a 30-minute no-recruitment window) and provided comprehensive instructions for judge applications, requiring participants to confirm their CP and Xat usernames, past judging experience, adherence to standard rules, availability for all judging events, and army affiliations. Additionally, the announcement not only featured an extensive bracket but also meticulously detailed specific times and sites across different time zones. Moreover, these locations—ranging from Klondike’s Iceberg and Mine Shack to the Forest and Cove—served as crucial battlegrounds, thereby creating a well-structured logistical framework for the upcoming conflicts.
Path to the Championship
The tournament unfolded in a straightforward set of rounds. On March 2, four encounters occurred: Pirates edged out Hot Sauce Army; Army of Club Penguin swamped the Pretzels; Nachos advanced after Light Troops forfeited; and Tacos narrowly upset Heroes. On March 3, Metal Warriors outperformed Underground Mafias Army; Doritos eliminated Water Vikings; Special Weapons and Tactics won over Dark Warriors; and Ice Warriors conquered Army Republic. Round 2 on March 9 included a tie-breaker between Pirates and Nachos—with Nachos winning—and an automatic win for the Army of Club Penguin after Tacos forfeited. Furthermore, during Round 2’s second day, not only did Ice Warriors decisively defeat SWAT, but Doritos, unfortunately, also fell against the absent Metal Warriors. As a result, this sequence of events effectively paved the way for the Final Four. Consequently, subsequently, and ultimately, Nachos clinched the championship with a cumulative score of 13–6.
Nachos vs Ice Warriors MM I finals.
MARCH MADNESS II
The Establishment
In early 2014, CPA Central publicly declared the annual March Madness II tournament with better updates and adjustments. An update explained that, as no one agreed to face DCP, the tournament organizers moved Dark Warriors to that time slot, fulfilling DW’s request for later times against Light Troops and resolving DCP’s opponent issue. Light Troops were then scheduled to face the Romans, the 12th seed. Additionally, the edit removed Golds, Watex Warriors, United Penguin Army, and Miners due to their drop in Sunday’s top 10, while the tournament extended invites to Striking Raiders, Redemption Force, Water Ninjas, and Metal Warriors. As February drew to a close, the declaration signaled the beginning of the tournament with heightened anticipation for dramatic finishes and potential upset matches.
Structure and Rules Overview
The tournament organizers outlined the schedule clearly: the Sweet Sixteen took place on March 1–2, followed by the Elite Eight on March 8–9, the Final Four on March 15–16, and the Championship on March 22–23. They enforced strict rules, including a 30-minute pre-battle room restriction, and imposed penalties for outside recruiting, bots, hacking, or threatening, ensuring fair play and integrity. Three judges assessed each match based on size, tactics, and consistency, with rounds lasting 30 minutes (45 minutes for the Championship). Early entry into the arena resulted in a penalty vote loss. The Sweet Sixteen match times and locations were provided, with further round schedules released every Monday. The tournament organizers seeded the armies from [1] Doritos of Club Penguin to [16] Water Ninjas, sharing the full bracket (as of February 24, 2014, 6:40 PM PST) and outlining matchups for both days of Sweet Sixteen.
The tournament bracket.
CONFRONTATIONS OF MMII
DAY 1
Battle 1: Redemption Force vs. Water Ninjas
The Redemption Force and Water Ninjas both kicked off with admirable chat sizes, but as we know, talk size alone doesn’t determine victory. The key to success rests in turning that chat activity into effective CP size and conducting well-organized tactical attacks. Unfortunately for the 14th-ranked Redemption Force, their chat size didn’t translate into a competitive CP size, and they maxed with just 6 troops. On the other hand, the Water Ninjas, placed 16th, seized on this by obtaining a stunning max of 17 troops and performing efficient tactics. About six minutes into the engagement, it became obvious that Redemption Force could not heal from their lack of size and organized attacks. As a result, they conceded the round, delivering the victory to the Water Ninjas, who scored a 5-0 judge vote and proceeded to the Elite Eight, upsetting their higher-ranked opponents.
The battle between Redemption Force and Water Ninjas.
Battle 2: Rebel Penguin Federation vs. Underground Mafias Army
One of the day’s highlight confrontations, this encounter between UMA and the Rebel Penguin Federation turned out to be as thrilling as everyone thought. Both teams entered with remarkable force and strong ambitions. While RPF initially battled concerns over a potential upset, they maintained their focus from the moment the action began on the Iceberg. UMA pressed hard, although RPF’s superior troop buildup—scaling up to 35 compared to UMA’s 24—proved crucial. In a nail-biting game that remained tight until the end, RPF clinched a narrow 3-2 judge decision, securing their advance to the Elite Eight and leaving UMA to ruminate on what could have been.
The battle between RPF and UMA.
Battle 3: Light Troops vs. Romans
In this contest, victory looked guaranteed for the Light Troops, although destiny had a twist in store. As the battle’s stage darkened, the Romans came like a startling comet, commanded by Casius Brutus and his little band—just 5 strong—challenging fate’s script. But the Light Troops rushed forward like a relentless tidal wave, accumulating an incredible 32 soldiers. Amid this storm, Spi confronted echoes of his past as he faced his former companions. Ultimately, the battle resounded with the finality of a 5-0 decree, placing the Light Troops on a new trajectory toward an approaching duel with the Water Ninjas.
The battle between Light Troops and Romans.
Battle 4: Nachos vs. Water Vikings
This interaction was a weird blend of lazy beginnings and burning determination. The Water Vikings, first a ghostly apparition with an eerily silent discourse, ultimately pieced together a tiny roar. In stark contrast, the Nachos entered the game fully armed with an overwhelming, yet paradoxically peaceful, conversation force—reaching a formidable 27, while the Vikings barely cobbled together a paltry 10. Despite the one-sided nature of the combat, the Vikings demonstrated formidable dominance, battling with a resigned fire. In the end, the Nachos scored a hard-fought victory by a 4-1 judge vote, setting the way for a meeting with the Rebel Penguin Federation in the Elite Eight.
The battle between WV and Nachos.
DAY 2
Battle 1: Army of Club Penguin vs. Hot Sauce Army
The battle between the Army of Club Penguin and Hot Sauce Army started with both armies turning up strong, however penalties were applied when HSA attacked early, and ACP followed suit at the iceberg. Both armies attained 40 men, and the tactics were beneficial, with ACP marginally edging ahead in consistency. After a 15-minute overtime with no apparent champion emerging, the Hot Sauce Army ultimately prevailed 3-2. However, due to a disqualification relating to HSA’s actions, ACP moved on to the next round.
ACP vs. HSA
Battle 2: Dark Warriors vs. Doritos
The Dark Warriors took on the Doritos of Club Penguin, but the Doritos didn’t show up due to their ongoing battle with the Army Republic. With no competition, the Dark Warriors easily hit 25-30 troops, securing the win by default and advancing to the next round.
DW vs. DCP
Battle 3: Special Weapons And Tactics vs. Club Penguin Chaos
Special Weapons and Tactics challenged the Chaos Army after the Army Republic’s focus shifted to the Doritos. SWAT struggled, maxing only 6 troops, while Chaos hit 7 and had a better overall average. Despite SWAT’s best efforts, Chaos emerged victorious, advancing to face the Army of Club Penguin in the next round.
CPC vs. SWAT
Battle 4: Ice Warriors vs. Striking Raiders
Battle 4: The Ice Warriors dominated the Striking Raiders with an impressive 40-troop max and superior tactics, easily securing the victory. The Striking Raiders, who maxed at 9, fought bravely but couldn’t match the Ice Warriors’ strength, losing 5-0 and being eliminated from the tournament.
IW vs. SR
Elite Eight Recap
Battle 1: Ice Warriors vs. Dark Warriors
The Ice Warriors and Dark Warriors opened off the day with a hard-fought combat. Both armies attained tremendous troop levels, peaking at 25-27, and fought relentlessly through every room change. The Ice Warriors had the edge in tactics, with tight formations and efficient emotive bombs, whereas the Dark Warriors battled with the overuse of joke bombs. After a fantastic showing at the iceberg, the Ice Warriors finished strong with a run at the mine, clinching a 2-0-1 victory and progressing to the semifinals.
The battle between IW and DW.
Battle 2: Army of Club Penguin vs. Club Penguin Chaos
The Army of Club Penguin faced off against the Club Penguin Chaos next. Chaos was granted permission by ACP leaders to bring in any SMAC allies, but they failed to show up. As a result, ACP maxed at 29 troops and secured an easy win, advancing to the semifinals with a 3-0 vote. Chaos’s absence led to ACP’s automatic victory.
ACP vs CPC.
Battle 3: Water Ninjas vs. Light Troops
The Water Ninjas faced the Light Troops in a thrilling matchup, with the Ninjas catching attention by reaching a maximum of 17 in their first round. They then matched the Light Troops’ maximum of 26 troops. The battle was full of tension, as both sides fought hard in each room. LT received two penalties for early entry in rooms they could have won, pushing the match into overtime. Although the Water Ninjas, seeded 15th, fought well, their lack of experience became evident, allowing the Light Troops to take the lead in overtime and win 2-1.
WN vs. LT
Battle 4: Nachos vs. Rebel Penguin Federation
The highly anticipated battle between the Nachos and the Rebel Penguin Federation started with the Nachos taking an early lead, reaching sizes of 25+, while RPF maxed at 22-24. As the battle progressed into the forts, RPF regained ground, forcing the match into overtime after the third room. Despite the RPF’s efforts, they couldn’t maintain their size, leading to a victory for the Nachos. The Nachos won in overtime with a 3-0 vote and will face a March Madness 2013 Finals rematch in the semifinals.
RPF vs. Nachos
Final Four Times
Battle 1: Light Troops vs. Army of Club Penguin
The Light Troops had a score to settle with the Army of Club Penguin, intending to upset the top seed and secure a berth in the finals. The battle was ferocious, with both armies hitting sizes of 35-40 and lockouts occurring in every chamber. The Light Troops seemed like the favorites early on, especially in the stadium. However, the Iceberg saw ACP seize charge, and when the combat went to the forts, ACP finished out the triumph. With a 3-2 vote from the judges, ACP won the chance to claim their first-ever March Madness title.
LT vs. ACP
Battle 2: Nachos vs. Ice Warriors
The Nachos battled the Ice Warriors, a rematch from last year’s finals. The two armies were evenly matched, both reaching sizes of roughly 32-35. The Ice Warriors started strong, out-sizing the Nachos in the Iceberg with 26 to 24. However, the Nachos rallied back and tied the Ice Warriors’ size in the stadium. In the snow forts, the Nachos’ well-executed bombings and formations impressed the judges, winning them a 3-2 victory. The Nachos will advance to their second straight March Madness championship, trying to repeat as champs.
Nachos vs. IW
Grand Finals
In the March Madness II Championship Finals, the Army of Club Penguin faced up against the Nachos. The Nachos, seeking back-to-back titles, had already won the 2013 championship, while the ACP aimed to sabotage their plans. The fight began with a delay owing to a mix-up, but once it started, both forces engaged violently in several locations. The ACP dominated the Forest and Iceberg, being predominant the Nachos at both sites. In the Mine, the ACP continued to outmaneuver the Nachos, with the latter trying to keep up. However, the Nachos rallied in the Town, where they made a tremendous charge and won the room, keeping their prospects alive.
The final part of the conflict taxed both forces’ endurance, with the Nachos demonstrating perseverance. Despite the ACP’s earlier achievements, they began to fade as exhaustion set in. A vote for overtime was held, with the Nachos winning 3-2. In the final 10 minutes of overtime, the Nachos decisively defeated the ACP, claiming victory. The Nachos sealed the win with a 3-2 judge vote, displaying their ability to make the vital push when needed, while the ACP ultimately ran out of energy.
March Madness II was more than simply a tournament; it was an astounding spectacle of passion, perseverance, and the unrelenting chase of triumph. The heated tournament captures the spirit of what it means to push through hardship, testing not only skill but character. The stakes were enormous, and with every twist and turn, the pressure rose. In the end, it wasn’t just a trophy that was earned—it was the pride of knowing that every ounce of effort had been placed on the line, making March Madness II a truly iconic chapter in the story of Club Penguin Army Tournaments.
MtJordan II
Associate Editor
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Associate Editor for Club Penguin Armies