Having just concluded their recent war days ago, the Water Vikings and Templars once again add another chapter to their long history of conflicts. In this post, we will delve into just how extensive the history of war between these two armies is.
Designed by Koloway
Few rivalries in modern Club Penguin Armies history have burned as consistently as that between the Templars and the Water Vikings. For two mid-major armies that have hovered side by side in the rankings for years, war has never been a question of if, but when. Now, with the War of Tundropa Heresy recently concluding, the latest chapter adds to a long, tangled history of declarations, treaties, and unfinished business. To understand how this cycle continues, you have to go back to where it began.
background
The Templars have built their identity on precision and dominance. Known for their aggressive approach and willingness to take control of the map, they’ve long carried a reputation as a force that doesn’t shy away from conflict, and often thrives in it. The Water Vikings, by contrast, have carved out a reputation as one of the most resilient and community-driven armies in the scene. Frequently the ones to declare, they’ve never hesitated to challenge stronger opponents, often framing their wars around principle, activity, or unfinished business. For years, both armies have sat in the same competitive tier, typically ranked between 5th and 7th. As such, a rivalry like this was almost inevitable.
The First Sparks (June 2020)
The rivalry’s origins trace back to a relatively small but significant clash in June 2020. After the Templars joined forces with two other armies to invade the People’s Imperial Confederation, notably founded by the current Templars leader Sidie9, the Water Vikings responded with a declaration of war. It wasn’t a named conflict, nor was it particularly long, but it established the tone. WV positioned themselves as challengers to TCP’s actions, and TCP found themselves facing an opponent that wouldn’t hesitate to call them out. This set the stage for a year of conflicts in the upcoming year – if 2020 was the spark, 2021 was the explosion.
The Year of Three Wars (2021)
The Golden Seas War (March 2021)
On March 3rd, the Water Vikings formally declared war, marking the first major conflict of the post-CPAH (Club Penguin Army Hub) era. Their declaration framed the war as a stand against TCP’s treatment of smaller armies, accusing them of abusing their strength and engaging in questionable practices. Templars leader Xing responded bluntly: a war with WV was inevitable. In fact, he claimed TCP had been preparing to declare itself that very night. The community quickly rallied around what felt like a defining clash for the new era.
The Ninth Great Holy War (summer 2021)
Just weeks later, tensions escalated into another full-scale conflict. The Ninth Great Holy War extended deep into the summer, with repeated clashes defining the season. Among them, the Battle of Ascent stood out as one of the most notable engagements, emblematic of how relentless the fighting had become. This began to show the community that this was not just a simple rivalry; it was a routine to be expected.
The Troop-Stealing War & Post-Silver Empire War (late 2021)
Later that year, WV accused TCP of troop stealing, launching yet another war. What followed was a fourth conflict shortly after WV concluded a separate war against the Silver Empire. By December, exhaustion finally gave way to diplomacy. The Treaty of the Axe and Sword was signed, formally ending a year that had seen four separate conflicts between the same two armies. As 2021 ended, it was revealed that though WV was often first to declare, the Templars always stood ready to respond.
A Shaky Truce (2022)
As 2022 rolled in, the community expected a pause- and a pause they got. However, this did not necessarily mean peace between the two armies. On January 19th that year, the Templars attempted to declare war again. However, the league administration at the time blocked this due to the still-active treaty. TCP openly criticized the league’s authority, while WV leadership pointed to the treaty as proof of its necessity.
After that flashpoint, things quieted. For much of the year, the rivalry simmered rather than erupted as both armies partook in other conflicts. That changed on November 4th. A sudden one-day war broke out, consisting of just two battles. The result: a tie. Shortly after, the Water Vikings temporarily shut down due to internal issues. For the first time, the rivalry didn’t end with a bang.
World War IX: Opposite Sides of the Battlefield (2023)
When both armies returned to the field in 2023, it wasn’t against each other directly; however, the rivalry still managed to persist. In World War IX, the Water Vikings joined the Blue Sunset Alliance. On the other hand, the Templars fought under the Sapphire Concordat. The conflict was massive in scale, with battles like the invasion of Alabama drawing over 120 penguins. Despite this, the war ended with a treaty and no clean winner. More importantly, this marked yet another moment where the WV-TCP rivalry remained unresolved.
Servers Map at the end of World War IX: Army of Club Penguin – Dark Green. Elite Guardians – Dark Grey. Help Force – Blue. Rebel Penguin Federation – Black. Special Weapons and Tactics – Lime Green. Templars – Yellow. Water Vikings – Navy Blue.
The Sluttpådawn War (April 2024)
The Water Vikings declared war once more, citing unfinished business and the Templars’ no-show at the New Year Bonanza. What followed was one of their most decisive encounters yet: 20 battles fought over two weeks. The result was overwhelming as the Templars secured a 15–5 victory. Templars leader Dawn described the war as something that “revived the whole army,” crediting it with bringing in new leadership and energy. On the other side, WV leader Mei acknowledged the defeat, noting that the war exposed areas the Vikings needed to improve. Notably, WV refused to sign a formal treaty. In response, TCP issued a public call-out — ensuring that, even in defeat, the rivalry didn’t truly close.
Brief Flares (September 2025 & Beyond)
The following year offered only a brief but significant interaction between the two. In September 2025, the Water Vikings launched a quick strike, capturing Puddle, the Templars’ capital, in a single-battle victory. This told the community one thing: even after periods of quiet, the rivalry could reignite at any moment.
The War of Tundropa Heresy (April 2026)
Now, the cycle continues. On April 13th, 2026, the Templars declared the War of Tundropa Heresy just moments after one-versus-one war terms were reinstated, meaning neither side could rely on allies. Their reasoning pointed to the long history between the two armies, failed reconciliation efforts, and lingering tensions tied to WV’s associations during March Madness XI. The conflict quickly escalated, with the Water Vikings taking early control and maintaining momentum throughout the war. As battles continued, tensions between both sides intensified, with TCP criticizing WV’s use of veterans while WV focused on their battlefield performances and consistency. Meanwhile, TCP’s activity steadily declined as the war progressed, placing them at an even greater disadvantage.
Within just two weeks, the war ended decisively with the Water Vikings emerging undefeated with a final record of 13-0-0 [W-T-L]. Templars leader Sidie9 later announced a formal surrender, leading to the removal of the Templars from the CPA map. Shortly after, the Water Vikings enforced a force treaty on TCP, officially concluding the conflict. Once again, the Templars and Water Vikings found themselves at war not because something new happened, but because nothing ever truly ended.
Conclusion
What this rivalry ultimately reveals isn’t just the story of two armies – it’s a pattern that feels almost baked into the DNA of the CPA itself. Wins haven’t ended it, and losses haven’t buried it. Even the brief moments of peace between them have felt uneasy, with tension lingering as the community waits for the next spark to ignite another conflict. What makes this rivalry stand out is its resilience and variety. It hasn’t been defined by a single decisive war, nor by any clear turning point. Instead, it’s been shaped by repetition – by the reality that no matter how many times it seems to “end,” it never truly does.
Now, with the War of Tundropa Heresy concluded, that cycle is already beginning to turn once more. At this point, it’s worth asking: is this rivalry something that can ever be resolved – or has it become something both armies, in their own way, continue to sustain? What do YOU think? Will this war finally bring closure, or is the TCP–WV rivalry destined to repeat itself once again?
MtJordan II
Associate Editor
FatChicken88
Senior Reporter
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i led that big green army once