RAVEN 2 is set to host the 53rd Ancient Citadel in the third week of August. All eyes are on groups 3 and 4, where the Vita and Mare worlds are scheduled to clash. Given the high engagement levels and the presence of massive alliances within these worlds, the competition is expected to be fierce. With top-tier guilds dominating the Ancient Citadel rankings also in the mix, the pressure is palpable. Meanwhile, groups 5 and 6 are likely to see cross-world alliances joining the fray.

However, a word of caution is in order. Following the August 19 update, RAVEN 2 launched the Battle World feature. From the end of maintenance through August 23, players have the opportunity to transfer servers to a Battle World. Since the ranking data for this Ancient Citadel was compiled on August 18—prior to the update—keep in mind that the expected participating guilds might differ from those actually competing.

In groups 1 and 2, Lux and Nox have been paired together. The momentum here seems to favor Lux. Nox has been on a slight decline in the Ancient Citadel recently, whereas Lux houses RoyalDanaekkeo, one of the premier guilds in RAVEN 2. With consistent contenders like Royal Alliance 2 and the hi alliance also in the fold, Lux holds a strong position.

I am particularly curious to see how the entry board for the Battlefield of Genesis unfolds. In the 52nd Ancient Citadel, RoyalDanaekkeo entered the Battlefield of Genesis for group 1, while ROYALCookie and HighB claimed the spot for group 2. At the time, they were matched against Kerum, a world with higher participation than Nox. This led to an overcrowding of guilds in the lower-tier battlefields. It remains to be seen if we will witness a similar pattern in the upcoming 53rd installment.

Groups 3 and 4 promise a much tighter contest. Each world boasts multiple-time winners and a consistently high participation rate. Keep a close watch on Mare’s Valentine and RaonA. Valentine currently sits at 5th in the overall Ancient Citadel points ranking, while RaonA holds the 10th spot. Since those ranked 2nd through 4th are currently inactive, Valentine effectively stands as the second-strongest active guild. It is highly probable they will secure a spot in the Battlefield of Genesis.

For Vita, the 52nd Ancient Citadel saw guilds including AEGIS, AURA1, VeteranYardClub, MushinDanaekkeo, Ajaedeul, and YookryongNareusha enter the Battlefield of Genesis, with MushinDanaekkeo ultimately claiming victory. I expect a brutal, high-stakes showdown in the Battlefield of Genesis for groups 3 and 4 during the 53rd Ancient Citadel.

One should also keep an eye on guilds that favour the lower-tier battlefields. Vita’s ING, and Mare’s Caltoegun and Hwakkaesu are perfect examples. While they may lack points from the Battlefield of Genesis, they have accumulated substantial scores in lower-tier zones, boasting 8, 8, and 9 victories respectively. Notably, ING and Hwakkaesu frequently crack the top 5 in lower-tier battlefield points for RAVEN 2 skirmishes. The action outside the main battlefield will be just as compelling.

Finally, groups 5 and 6 will feature a match-up between Kerum and Sola. Kerum is currently home to the Owishee and CoffeeMatjib alliances, who participated exclusively in the Battlefield of Elements, Life, and Vegetation during the 52nd Ancient Citadel, showing a clear preference for lower-tier zones. Most of the guilds that have tasted victory there have also built their points primarily in these lower tiers. As the stage shifts, the bidding dynamics might change, so it is worth keeping a close watch on their movements.

Sola’s standout is the NoPpakku guild. Ranking 7th in Ancient Citadel victories with a record of 8/1/1/1, they are a force to be reckoned with. Their server-mate, Nangmyan, is also worth noting; as a relatively new guild, they have been steadily climbing the ranks in skirmishes. While they lack Ancient Citadel points for now, their ability to win inter-guild tournaments is telling. Furthermore, both NoPpakku and Nangmyan belong to the same Owishee alliance—or perhaps they are affiliates. Given that they are likely to occupy the same battlefield, any guild planning to compete in the 53rd Ancient Citadel should prepare accordingly.