Welcome to the third iteration of Penguin Puzzlers, a column that focuses on testing the historical and present knowledge of veterans and rookies in the community. In this edition, we explore into one of the most important tournaments that occurred this year, famously known as Around The World Cup II. This tournament had reshaped the fate of armies, creating new successes and unanticipated outcomes.

OVERVIEW

History

Around The World Cup II was a tournament hosted by current Chief Executive Producer Edu14463 on the 5th of May 2025. Moreover, the tournament is the second installment of the original Around The World Cup, which was initially established by former Chief Executive Producer McHappy. In the first installment, over 8 armies participated, which were the Army of Club Penguin, Dark Pirates, Elite Guardians, Help Force, People’s Imperial Confederation, Special Weapons And Tactics, Water Vikings and the Winged Hussars. The tournament was split into two categories for winning: a Major Army winner and a Small/Army winner, and it was hosted in a round-robin format, which meant that one loss did not necessarily mean they were out of the game.

Around the time of the group stage, each army would receive base points based on the battle result. 3 points were equal to a win, 2 points for an overtime win, 1 point for an overtime loss, and 0 points for a loss. The army that scored the most points in their designated groups would be determined as the winners in their category. Each group consisted of 4 armies. Just like in previous tournaments, furthermore, the rules were obviously set up for the tournament to run smoothly. For example, clauses such as judging being only under the guidance of Club Penguin Army Judges, armies having the right to veto 2 judges per battle, restriction of dual enlistment, and so on, were strictly to be followed. Ultimately, the Elite Guardians would win the Major Army category, while PIC would claim their S/M title.

Around The World Cup II

In this iteration, initially, 18 armies were invited to join, of which 12 ultimately participated: the Aliens, Army of Club Penguin, Doritos of Club Penguin, Fire Vikings, Help Force, Valiant Azure Knights, Penguins of Agartha, The Bastille Vanguard, Void Troops, Templars, Scarlet Republic, Water Vikings, and finally Special Weapons and Tactics. As usual, the important clauses from the previous tournament were applied to this edition as well.  The announcement of qualifiers was made on 11th of May 2025, where it was expected for the qualifiers battles to take place from 17th-18th of May, Group Stage battles from 27th of May – 1st of June and most importantly, the Grand Finals which would take place on 7th of June.

Qualifiers

May 17th

On 17th of May, The first battle of the tournament took place. It consisted of 3 armies that battled against each other that were the SWAT, VT and TBV. The Bastille Vanguard, a late-arriving SWAT, and Void Troops entered Room 1 in the Mines first in this combat. At 14-4-0, VT maintained size advantage as TBV lined horizontally and VT formed a plus. While VT’s formations, while occasionally poor-spaced, and quicker movements allowed them to secure the room, SWAT hardly showed up and TBV had trouble dealing with AFK forces. Once more, VT went in first, creating a L against TBV’s BL in Room 2 at the Docks, with SWAT taking part in silence. Although VT’s formations, such as the V, were stronger during times when TBV protected them, both armies alternated between being slow and awake, which resulted in a tie.

Once again, VT entered first in Room 3 of the Stadium, creating a UV while TBV made an L. VT’s plus form was cleaner even though it was repeated, but for a brief period, VT drained out, allowing TBV’s bomb to cover them. SWAT’s efforts were unsuccessful, and TBV’s formations were inconsistent and they woke up too late to change formations. In the end, judges declared VT the winners of Rooms 1 and 3, with Room 2 ending in a tie.

May 18th

The second battle of the tournament took place on May 18th, with three armies competing: the Fire Vikings, Penguins of Agartha, and Valiant Azure Knights. In Room One (Cove), FV arrived first, followed by POA. The Vikings constructed a horizontal line, and POA created a vertical line, resulting in a T-shaped formation. With sizes 7-3 in favor of FV, the other two armies struggled to keep up and became severely disorganized. FV attempted a waterfall, while POA attempted a rake, but both formations collapsed as FV began bunching. POA then performed a waterfall with emotes, however FV won the room due to their tiny advantage in speed.

In Room 2, PoA entered first, followed by FV, who scattered as PoA established three corners. Despite FV’s size advantage (7-3), both armies marched slowly, frequently falling asleep mid-battle, which ended in a tie. In Room 3, PoA again entered first, with FV arriving over a minute late and displaying weak cooperation and no strategies but maintaining a reasonable size. The judges noticed FV’s indecisiveness and slow speed, but because of their larger size and somewhat improved performance compared to Room 2, they won the room.

Group Stage EU

Army of Club Penguin vs. Void Troops

The battle started forcefully as the Army of Club Penguin entered the first room ahead of the Void Troops, leading 22-13. ACP quickly formed a sharp V, while VT opened less organized, shifting from a small V to a Y. ACP launched the initial rake, covering the room and leaving VT unable to defend. VT tried to recover with a plus and then an X, but the transition took time and broke their structure. Though both sides improved later, ACP’s size and quicker execution secured control by the end of the first phase.

In the second room at the Docks, both armies began disorganized. ACP built a UV that turned into an A, while VT shaped a BL, with the size gap widening to 25-11. ACP bombed first, covering VT, whose response failed. VT countered with a bomb, but ACP’s shape regained control, ending with an effective scatter. In the final room, ACP kept steady formations, while VT struggled. The growing size lead let ACP dominate throughout, winning all three rooms and sealing an uncontested victory.

Templars vs. Doritos of Club Penguin

The Templars did not attend for the scheduled battle, therefore the Doritos won by default.

Fire Vikings vs. Water Vikings

The Fire Vikings did not attend for the scheduled battle, therefore the Water Vikings won by default.

Aliens vs. Scarlet Republic

The clash commenced with the Aliens infiltrating the first room ahead of SR, quickly forming a sharp V formation. SR emerged late and formed a horizontal line, but faced a size disadvantage of 29-7. The Aliens swiftly formed a triangle, maintaining great speed, while SR was overpowered by the Aliens. Despite a few uneven moments, the Aliens superior numbers and faster execution led them to win this room.

Moving on to the second room, the Aliens once again took the initiative, forming clean formations and sending quick tactics. SR, with its small presence, managed a few decent formations but was unable to counter the Aliens control of the room. In the final room, the Aliens continued to dominate the war, creating new formations and practically totally covering SR. In the end, the Aliens had won this decisive battle.

GROUP STAGE US

Doritos from Club Penguin vs. Void Troops

The Doritos took the field first, forming a UV formation, followed by the Void Troops in an orderly BL. Throughout the match, DCP maintained a continuous size advantage, peaking at 28 to VT’s 18. In the early rounds, both sides struggled with structural gaps, DCP often lost formation, and VT’s structure crumbled at times. Neither army could dominate, and the judges fairly declared the first two rooms ties due to balanced yet poor performances.

Momentum swung in the third room, where DCP improved their formations and were able to cover VT more effectively. VT tried to imitate DCP’s actions, but was unable to keep up with the Doritos’ faster movements and higher numbers. DCP’s clearer organization and stronger presence secured the final room, granting them the overall victory.

Army of Club Penguin vs. Templars

ACP opened Room 1 first with 26 troops in an arrow, while TCP’s 17 troops formed a loose V. Despite some AFK troops, ACP’s formations stayed stronger and covered more, winning the room. In Room 2, ACP extended to 28-14, keeping tight formations and speed, while TCP’s tactics lost shape, giving ACP another win. Both armies entered Room 3 together, but ACP’s UV and surround bomb outpaced TCP’s repetitive moves, sweeping all three rooms and sealing victory.

Aliens vs. Water Vikings

Aliens entered first with a crisp X as WV followed with a messy L. Though the Aliens’ plus was less clean, they kept eight-man coverage and fast tactics, ending the room in a tie despite a size lead of 44-27. In Room 2, Aliens made a strong plus as WV’s X fell apart under pressure, and WV’s anchor failed, giving Aliens the win. Room 3 saw WV bombing into a V, but Aliens’ sharper formations and quicker execution covered WV’s scattered troops, claiming the final room and overall victory.

Fire Vikings vs. Scarlet Republic

Scarlet Republic opened in a UT, while FV showed little size or tactics and stayed passive, letting SR take Room 1. In Room 2, SR’s rough X improved quickly as they stayed mobile, while FV barely performed. FV’s short rake in Room 3 wasn’t enough; SR held control with a diagonal and T, finishing with steady formations and speed to win all rooms clearly.

GROUP STAGE AUSIA

Void Troops vs. Templars

The battle began with Void Troops prepared to meet the Templars, but TCP did not materialize for the encounter. With no opponents on the field, VT received an automatic win by default.

Army of Club Penguin vs. Doritos of Club Penguin

Doritos entered Room 1 first, followed by ACP, where they formed an arrow. Sizes favored DCP 37-32, but their formations and strategies were slow and unstructured. ACP appeared sharper, moved faster, and covered more space, claiming the first room. In Room 2, the pattern remained consistent: DCP struggled to form quickly, while ACP’s superior execution and size gave them control.

In the final room, ACP entered first and built another arrow, while DCP made a backwards L. Sizes changed to 39-34 for ACP, providing them an advantage. Despite the Doritos’ attempts to comeback, ACP’s slower tactics and broken formations allowed them to dominate, including capturing the last room. ACP’s speedier movements, cleaner formations, and larger size enabled them to win all three rooms.

Aliens vs. Fire Vikings

Aliens arrived first and formed a crisp X, while Fire Vikings attempted a diagonal but battled with spacing and shape. Even as the Vikings moved elsewhere, the Aliens maintained faster reaction times and better coverage. In Room 2, the Aliens used strong formations and speed to keep the Vikings pinned until the five-minute mark.

In Room 3, the Vikings struggled to fight back successfully. The Aliens used their bulk to appear larger and remained swift in their tactics, throwing the Vikings off rhythm. The Aliens had complete control because to their strong formations and steady speed, as they easily won every room.

Scarlet Republic vs. Water Vikings

Water Vikings outnumbered Scarlet Republic by more than ten troops in the most recent AUSIA fight. WV moved quickly, maintained tight formations, and exploited their size to dominate each space. SR couldn’t keep up with WV’s pace and cleaner tactics easily won all rooms.

GRAND FINALS

The community’s long-awaited moment had arrived: the grand finales. Few could have foreseen which armies would advance this far. Notably, the Scarlet Republic and Void Troops had immense success in a short period of time. The Aliens, contending in the major category, surmounted various challenges and established a strong foundation that ensured them domination. The Clovers too have reaped what they sowed, boasting an impressive win-loss ratio over several clashes and appearing well prepared for whatever lay ahead. Nonetheless, all of the competing armies in the Grand Finals have proved to be a stellar force.

However, in the midst of chaos and controversy, the Void Troops were shockingly disqualified from the tournament after breaking a ban-evading rule outlined in an Executive Statement post. This meant that the Templars would replace VT and face the Scarlet Republic instead. Furthermore, VT received strict top-ten deductions for allowing an infamous figure’s attendance and alt for over a month. Now, let us return to the main point!

Scarlet Republic vs. Templars

In Room 1, Templars entered the room first and formed a X followed by SR who made a V formation with no inaccuracies. Despite the size advantage in favor of TCP, SR’s formation execution and speed were able to overpower the Templars which ultimately resulted SR in winning this room. In Room 2, both armies had entered the room first, where SR had formed a T and TCP made an anchor. Templars were able to maintain its size advantage but had uneven and poor formations which can be said the same for SR.

With both armies deaccelerating in their strategies, this room was classified as a draw. In Room 3, TCP entered first, making an upside-down Y, while SR proceeded at an angle. Notwithstanding a rocky start, TCP tightened their formations and took the room. TCP led 15-9 in overtime, maintaining solid formations and mobility. SR couldn’t keep up, giving TCP the overall victory for the S/M category.

Aliens vs. Army of Club Penguin

Both armies launched Room 1 simultaneously, creating crisp and creative formations. However, because they were the same hue, it was impossible to tell them apart, thus the judges declared a tie. Room 2 began with ACP going in first, forming an underlined plus, while the Aliens reacted with a triangle. Despite periods of uncertainty, the Aliens kept up, and the chamber concluded evenly balanced once more.

In Room 3, ACP entered first with a triangular formation, while the Aliens formed a backward L. ACP’s formations were faster and more coordinated, but not enough to lead decisively, leading in a third draw. The dynamic in the overtime chamber shifted as the Aliens entered first, established greater coverage, and rapidly gained control. Their formations were neat and powerful throughout, with ACP struggling to keep up. The Aliens won overtime and the game overall because to greater size usage and crisper execution.

Club Penguin Armies reached out to members from various armies to put their knowledge to the test. The questions could cover any aspect of the tournament, ranging from straightforward facts to challenging trivia.

Edu14463, Chief Executive Producer: Acp vs Aliens – Aliens won

Thunder222, Shadow Legionaries Leader: ACP vs Aliens, Aliens win

Zenishira, Associate Editor: Aleins & ACP. Aliens won

Aurora, Senior Reporter: ACP-Aliens, Aliens victory in OT

Sebzy, Ice Warriors Leader: ACP and Aliens, Aliens won

Ugly, Void Troops Leader: ACP and Aliens, Aliens won

Bestpenguin, Aliens Leader: Aliens vs Acp and aliens won

CORRECT ANSWER: Aliens and Army of Club Penguin. The winner was the Aliens.

CONCLUSION

Analytical results from Around The World Cup II revealed a thorough comprehension of the tournament’s core characteristics and critical aspects.

I. 5/7 had gotten right regarding the person who created this concept of tournament, i.e McHappy.

II. 2/7 participants correctly answered the format the tournament applied which is the Round-Robin format.

III. 1/7 participants correctly answered the number of armies Club Penguin Armies had extended their invite to the tournament.

IV. 3/7 participants correctly answered the number of armies that officially took attendance in the tournamennt.

V.  2/7 participants correctly answered the army that had not participated in the threeway-battle that took place on 18th of May.

VI. 6/7 participants correctly answered the number of armies that had attended the group stage battles.

VII. 5/7 participants correctly answered the date the Grand Finales took place.

VIII. 0/7 participants correctly answered the reason of VT’s removal from the grand finals.

IX. 6/7 participants correctly answered the competing armies in the S/M division that were the Scarlet Republic and Templars in which the Templars triumphed.

X. 7/7 participants correctly answered the competing armies in the Major Army division, that were the Aliens and the Army of Club Penguin in which the Aliens triumphed.

Overall, the participants had a 52.9%. accuracy rate.

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Around the World Cup II emerged as one of the most prominent and successful tournaments held this year. It allowed armies to compete across all time zones and face a diverse range of armies, significantly enhancing tactical strategies and promoting better adaptation to various battle conditions. Although an army was at times executively removed from the tournament due to controversial reasons, this did not hinder the overall momentum of the event and ensured its smooth success. Do you think we will see another similar yet iconic tournament like Around the World Cup in the future?

MtJordan II
Associate Editor

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