The year of 2022 was, in many ways, a culmination of events and conflicts sparked within 2021. Though rivalry between Club Penguin Army Headquarters and Club Penguin Army Network persisted, Mr Max, alongside his media allies, paved way for a United Media initiative that allowed for numerous independently operated tournaments. March Madness VII echoed results in the previous year following a victory for the Ice Warriors under leadership like Kally. A new army-based private server, CPA Battleground, provided a new platform for war following the closure of CP Rewritten. With the divide between the major media organizations beginning to narrow, the two agreed to form Club Penguin Armies in June. The Templars continued a streak of dominance under Xing and Racecar4, materializing in a win at the finals of Legends Cup XII against the Water Vikings led by Aaronstone42. Maintaining a reputation of tenacity, the Rebel Penguin Federation, led by Elexonck, became triumphant in a conflict with Templars as well as extending their Christmas Chaos XII.
Aaronstone42
Aaronstone42’s first taste of success came as the leader of the legendary Underground Mafias Army. In just a handful of months, the army would rise from the bottom of the Small Medium Army Central rankings to 9th place on the Club Penguin Army Central top ten. He then moved on to the army he is most associated with today: the Water Vikings. Dubbed the ‘Blue Summer’, Aaron helped WV become relevant during the second golden age of CPA, earning the status of one of the ‘Great Leaders’ in the WV hall of fame. He later went on to lead the Pretzels and the Blue Miners Army; both of which reached sizes of 50+ and top five placements in CPAC under his command in 2015. In the CPPS era- though he began as an advisor- he would go on to lead the revival of WV in July of 2021. The army quickly rose to sizes of 25+ and competed for 5th place in the top ten. WV also declared themselves winners of a war against the Templars after their enemy stopped showing up. The crown jewel of Aaron’s career was their domination of Champions Cup VI- the first major tournament win for WV. Despite a turbulent surrounding cast, WV peaked at second place under his command in the summer of 2022 and took down Special Weapons & Tactics in the second Eagre Foray war. The culmination of his efforts came to be in Legends Cup XII, as his army advanced to the finals before a close loss to the Templars despite sizes of over 50. Even with his retirement on October 15th of 2022, he remained a key figure in the Water Vikings government, assisting the army’s tie in a war against TCP. A testament to how much he was the lifeblood of WV, the army would close on the 13th of November, less than a month after his retirement. Aaronstone’s dedication to his leadership is unrivaled, and for that, he deserves this legend nomination.
Elexonck
Elexonck would first begin his army career in 2018 by entering RPF and becoming a member of staff by the fall of 2019. After reaching the position of 2nd-in-Command in 2020, Elex would take part in leading many of RPF’s successful war invasions against the Recon Federation, Water Vikings, and other enemy armies at the time. Elex entered the leadership in February 2021, alongside co-leader F6sixer. He then continued to lead RPF to 100+ sizes at the 14th RPF anniversary celebration and preserved RPF’s champion titles by winning both Legends Cup XI and Christmas Chaos XI. By 2022, Elex triumphed against the Templars against all odds and led RPF to new heights in the Summer Sovereignty War. RPF came out on top and powered through Christmas Chaos XII, taking home yet another title. Throughout this RPF Icon’s leadership, he has led the rebels to the #1 spot on the Top Ten and represented how powerful this army can be.
Kally
Kally first joined the Ice Warriors in early 2020, quickly making her way up the ranks to achieve Leader in Training in the fall of 2020. Before finally achieving the official rank as Leader in the Ice Warriors, Kally aided the leaders as a Leader In Training during the CCX Tournament and March Madness 2021 tournament, helping solidify IW’s 1st place victory. In the Spring of 2021, Kally officially became Leader in Ice Warriors, and later earning the title of IW Legend. During her time as Leader, she brought the Ice Warriors to the Semi Finals in the Legends Cup XI tournament with sizes of 80+, the finals of the Christmas Chaos tournament with sizes of 65+, and the finals in the Ausia Arena with sizes of 50+. She also maintained the Ice Warriors in the 1st / 2nd place in the Top 10 for a majority of the year, which eventually lead to IW becoming the #1 army of 2021. She also led the Ice Warriors to their victory in the March Madness 2022 tournament, maxing sizes of 60+. In addition to leading countless battles, Kally helped innovate IW by creating the IW News Center and worked with her Staff to form the IW Olympics. Outside of IW, Kally was a major contributor in the media aspect of armies, serving as Associate Producer of CPAH and Editor in Chief of CPAN and CPA. Kally was also heavily involved in the unification discussions between CPAN and CPAHQ, which helped to create the formation of CPA. During her time as Editor in Chief at CPA, she worked alongside the admins and co-editors to set up the foundation of CPA’s media. In addition, she has been an active judge in the community since 2022, judging several major tournament battles and wars. Throughout Kally’s CP army career, she has been an influential figure to many, both on the leadership side of armies as well as the media side.
Racecar4
Racecar sees his second legend nomination here after a truly incredible 2022 at the helm of Templars. His journey truly began in late 2020 in a sudden return to the leadership he quickly ascertained the respect of many amongst the Templars greatest. Racecar was critical in Templars 5th Holy War against RFCP leading several successful attacks resulting in victories against them, assisting the army rise from a languishing medium army in the midst of struggles, to one considered a formidable force with official major status being handed out in May 2021. The year 2021 truly saw Racecar come to the forefront of the community with himself being a major player in multiple conflicts with the Water Vikings as well as leading Templars to glory in the 6th Errantry War against the Magma Clan as well as victory as well as victory in wars against SWAT and Silver Empire. 2021 didn’t stop there for Racecar with a plethora of successes in tournaments, leading Templars to the Champions Cup 2021 Finals as well as Christmas Chaos 2021 and Legends Cup 2021 Semi Finals seeing sizes of 80+ in these tournaments, a feat worthy of admirable praise within Templars due to recent woes in tournaments. Templars won awards such as Biggest Rise of 2021, firmly stating his prowess during this calendar year once more. Finally, 2021 saw Racecar’s induction into the Templar Hall of Fame, being only one of two recipients in this year. This dominancy continued throughout 2022 with the year starting strong for Racecar with a victory in the 2022 New Year Bonanza as well as another war victory this time against Red Ravagers. Sizes kept increasing, first place kept coming for Templars in the Top Ten with none to oppose them leading to what was dubbed the “Golden Domination” of the Top Ten midway through 2022 when Racecar smashed the Top Ten record as they celebrated their twenty first week of first position in the weekly Top Ten on June 5th 2022. Racecar had a prominent role in 2022’s greatest war between Templars and RPF, distinguishing himself at the pinnacle of leading, assisting the Templars to victories against RPF during the conflict. Racecar’s domination continued throughout the latter parts of 2022 with war victories against SWAT and Lime Green Army also contributed to Templars being the gold standard of 2022. Perhaps Racecar’s greatest achieved happened on October 15th 2022, when Racecar led Templars to their first ever victory in the 2022 Legends Cup maxing 83 at the finals, becoming only the fourth ever army to win the competition and followed up with an equally strong performance in the 2022 Christmas Chaos, narrowly missing out on victory in the Final. With the Templars absolute domination of 2022, there can be no doubt as to Racecar’s status as one of the best leaders of this generation.