Oh yeah, This is a top 12 thread and not a trash talking thread right? Alright, here's my thoughts on the current top 12 (I'll be leaving out BwN due to me being bias but i will make comments about us just nothing too serious)
1) The Plague
Interesting roster, On other worlds I've always voted plague as being on the weaker side of the re-appearing alliances however I'll vote them as a pretty strong alliance here. Their roster has big names this time and I think this is the peak plague roster, I just wonder if their leadership is strong enough and stable enough to get them past the next term. Can they survive consistent long drawn out battles? Guess we will see.
Swim
2) Bad with names
obviously I won't be making comments on this alliance due to being apart of it. However people consider us to be the big bad alliance of the server and the most likely to take it all. I'm not really use to being in that spot personally, I'd rather be the underdog in these situations. But hey I'm playing with my favourite people and some new faces. No matter what happens I'm having fun and making new friends so I'll call it worth.
No comment on swim/sink etc, too bias.
3) Hakuna matata
How do I start with this one? MRA as MRA gets, 3 alliances already + probably hugging the rest of the MRA's. I don't see any names here that matter or can impact the world. It's sheer numbers alone keeping them at the current #3 spot.
Sink.
4) Balcan Boyz
I have high expectations of this team, It's an okay roster with some big names coming out of retirement, It's hard to ignore they also have some weaker links in their roster but everyone will have weak links, It's early in the world and that's just how grepolis goes. I don't think I've seen this group in another world (Although mind you, I don't join a lot of worlds like you crazy folk) so It's hard to judge them so soon. I look forward to seeing them grow and I look forward to seeing what happens with them as time goes on.
Swim
5) Vengeance
These guys had 90 players combined in the first two days of the world, That has to be some sort of record for MRA's right? I think most the people in that alliance are here for gold, or simming. Probably new to the game or don't care enough to be part of a serious alliance. They won't last and probably just food for everyone around them. Nothing more to really say here I guess.
Sink.
6) Vengeance academy
See above.
7) Balcan Boyz*
See #4
8) Bazooka Bunnies
Another alliance full of people I've never seen before. Don't really know how to rate these guys. In o54 so have a chance to survive I guess if they can pull off a fight vs free hugs. I won't comment further due to not really having a read on any of their players.
Float for now.
9) Twisted Puddy Cats
I mean respect the name and all. But I when I look at this roster it screams "walls and turtles" I don't think these guys have enough fire power to fight anybody at all. I've seen a few of their faces around in other worlds and they have been okay. Not incredible or amazing but not terrible either. Just generally okay. You can however note they are in 044 which has no real competition yet. It's mostly simmers and MRA in that direction so maybe that gives them a chance to grow and maybe they can show us something exciting.
Float for now.
10) Havoc
MRA number 3. By their alliance profile you'd expect some sort of fight but in reality they kinda... aren't too great. I don't expect them to last over the next month, let alone 6. Maybe I'll be surprised and they can pull off a miracle but they already have inactives and seem to be losing to.. everybody they are close to?
Sink.
11) Lion's guard
See #3
12) Legion of hades
Ocean 44 players, I don't know any of them by name but if you see above to #9 I mention ocean 44 being free right now. I honestly have no clue what to expect from these guys or who they are. I can't make a comment because of that besides that they have a free ocean and we shall see what they choose to do with it.
Float for now.
General take away from this:
I don't play this game enough to know everybody off the back of my hand. I'm super bored right now and I think the forums are funny so I thought I'd put in my two cents for once. I probably know nothing so take everything with a grain of salt.