- Anvil Empires Ancients are one of two pre-alpha factions, locked in recurring wars against the Remnants
- Siege camps (Anvils) serve as forward bases for launching keep assaults
- Battering rams break keep walls, but food and warmth keep pushes alive
- Short wars (War 8 ended in under 5 hours) shape current pre-alpha testing
- AI defenses remain unimplemented, keeping warfare fully player-driven
Who Are the Ancients in Anvil Empires?
The Anvil Empires Ancients are one of the two playable factions in the pre-alpha wars of Anvil Empires, the large-scale medieval warfare MMO from the developers of Foxhole. During War 9, the Ancients faced off against the Remnants in a conflict over three territories, after the developers raised the victory condition from two captures to three in hopes of producing longer, more meaningful tests.
War 9 was a turning point for the Ancients. Their first victory of the test came at the Siege of Sword Hollow, a major wall fight that set the tone for the rest of the war. By the end, the Ancients had captured two of three required keeps and officially won the war in roughly 10 hours and 40 minutes — longer than War 7 (22h 51m) and War 8 (4h 46m), but still short by design.
Video Highlights:
- The Ancients' first victory at the Siege of Sword Hollow
- Full forward siege camp ("Anvil") construction and battering ram escort
- The final keep capture that ended War 9 in 10h 40m
- Discussion of AI defenses and the future of siege warfare
Faction balance in pre-alpha is not about winning — testers are encouraged to submit feedback so wars feel better at early access launch. Play your role, then report what worked and what felt hollow.
Ancients War Record: Pre-Alpha War Lengths
The Ancients' wars so far have been deliberately short. The developers keep adjusting win conditions and tools — including a new battering ram — to gather data before early access.
| War | Outcome Context | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| War 7 | Quick territory sweep | 22h 51m | Two-territory win condition |
| War 8 | Steamroll victory | 4h 46m | Fastest recorded test war |
| War 9 | Ancients win vs Remnants | 10h 40m | Three-territory condition, new ram tested |
War 9 ended when an Ancient group raided the final keep while no Remnants were online. Until the developers add systems to protect off-hour keeps, always assume your structures can be hit when your faction logs off.
War pacing follows a pattern familiar to Foxhole veterans: low population windows let organized groups flip objectives uncontested. Foxhole eventually offset this with a growing player base and design changes, and the same evolution is expected in Anvil Empires.
How the Ancients Siege a Keep: Step-by-Step
Unlike Foxhole's cemented front lines, Anvil Empires warfare is fluid — skirmishing, countryside raiding, and war camps positioned between castles. Here is the standard Ancient siege workflow demonstrated during War 9.
Mass and Gather Supplies
Players mass on the mini map north of the target, hauling twigs, food, and building materials to a staging point.
Build the Anvil (Forward Siege Camp)
Logistics players deliver supplies while builders raise walls and spikes to defend against counterattacks.
Manage Survival Needs
In harsh weather, gather around fire pits to avoid freezing. Ram crews must eat before escorting — hunger stops pushes dead.
Escort the Battering Ram
The ram moves slowly and needs protection from burning oil, defenders, and ladders. Call out left/right side pushes constantly.
Breach and Destroy the Relic Base
Ram the outer wall, drive the ram inside, and destroy the main relic base. Once it falls, the keep belongs to your faction.
Logistics Role
- Hauling supplies and food
- Fueling construction
- Backbone of every siege
Builder Role
- Raising stockades and spikes
- Constructing the siege ram
- Fortifying the Anvil
Combat Role
- Escorting the ram
- Countering ladders and oil
- Clearing defenders on walls
Standing torches and fire pits are not decoration. Rain and cold can kill unprepared players — schedule fire breaks during long sieges and keep ram operators fed at all times.
Homesteads, Raids, and the AI Defense Debate
Peaceful homesteads are a core Anvil Empires feature, but War 9 proved their limits. When front lines collapse, raiding parties will find and dismantle homesteads belonging to the losing faction. No homestead stays quiet once the war arrives at your door.
The biggest design question surrounding the Ancients' wars is AI defenses. Currently, keeps and homesteads rely entirely on players for protection — which explains why sieges against absent defenders feel trivial.
| Aspect | Current System | Proposed AI Defenses |
|---|---|---|
| Keep protection | Players only | Possible archer towers |
| Off-hour defense | None | Slows overnight raids |
| World feel | Fully organic | Slightly artificial |
| Developer stance | Cautious, wants organic world | Open to experiments |
| Community reaction | Divided | Divided |
Developer Markfoot's last official statement — roughly two years ago — suggested archer towers as the likely form AI defenses would take: enough to slow attackers and let defenders rally, weak enough to avoid invulnerable bases. Nothing has been confirmed since.
In Foxhole, AI structures like pill boxes and anti-tank turrets don't stop attacks outright — they buy time. Many testers believe Anvil Empires needs an equivalent, even in a limited experimental war.
War Preparation Checklist
Before the next pre-alpha war kicks off — the developers confirmed the following war for Friday, October 3rd — run through this checklist.
Ancients War Readiness:
- Join the official Anvil Empires Discord and request access
- Stockpile food and fire supplies for long sieges
- Practice building stockade walls and spikes at your Anvil
- Learn ram escort callouts (left side, right side, reverse)
- Coordinate with your faction to avoid ending tests early
During War 9, many Ancients deliberately held off the final keep so the Remnants could build defenses and both sides could enjoy a proper battle the next day. A smaller group ended the war anyway. Coordination matters — agree on war pacing in faction chat.
FAQ
Q: Who are the Ancients in Anvil Empires?
The Ancients are one of two pre-alpha test factions, fighting the Remnants in recurring territorial wars. They won War 9 in roughly 10 hours and 40 minutes, capturing two of three required keeps before a night raid ended the war.
Q: How do you join Anvil Empires pre-alpha tests?
Join the official Anvil Empires Discord and submit an access request. Pre-alpha wars run on a regular schedule, with the next war confirmed for Friday, October 3rd. Updates roll out every 2-3 weeks during testing.
Q: Will Anvil Empires add AI defenses?
Nothing is confirmed. Developer Markfoot suggested roughly two years ago that archer towers were the most likely experimental form, but no announcement has followed. The community remains split between wanting protection for keeps and preserving the fully player-driven world.
Q: Can homesteads be raided in Anvil Empires?
Yes. Even peaceful homesteads can be dismantled by raiding parties once their faction starts losing ground. If the front lines collapse, the war will eventually reach your homestead, so keep defenses and supplies ready.