The Glitch That’s Killing Battle Islands (and how Ducks are surviving it)

It’s heartbreaking to watch a game we love slowly tear itself apart from the inside.

For over five years, dedicated players and alliances have poured thousands of hours into Battle Islands. We built communities, grinded for ranks, and forged rivalries. But right now, a recurring nightmare is wiping all of that history away.

Here is what’s happening on the ground, and how my alliance, Ducks, is weathering the storm.

The Legacy Wipe: A Disaster for Ranked Players

The devastating reset glitch is back, and it’s worse than ever.

For those who don't know, this bug completely wipes a player's progress, resetting legacy accounts back to zero. Imagine losing five-plus years of hard work in the blink of an eye.

The damage isn't just personal; it's tearing alliances apart:

• Lost Leadership: Multiple top-ranked alliances have completely lost control because their leaders' accounts were wiped out.
• The "Compensation" Band-Aid: 505 Games has admitted they cannot recover these legacy accounts. Their only solution is sending gold to a brand-new account. While the gold is something, it cannot replace years of history, stats, and sentimental value 💔.

A Recurring Nightmare

This isn't the first time we've dealt with this. The glitch first reared its ugly head around May – June 2025. Now, in June 2026, it has returned with a vengeance and the fallout is even more severe than last year. 505 Games is still keeping the servers running, but their support is severely limited. We are seeing zero actual game upgrades to fix the root cause of this game-breaking bug.

How "Ducks" Dodged the Bullet

The glitch has caused a massive drop in the overall player base, but Ducks got incredibly lucky.

Don't get me wrong we took a hit back in 2025. But that painful experience taught a few of our veteran players how to spot the warning signs and successfully dodge the glitch this time around. Because of that foresight, some of our highest-ranked players managed to keep their accounts intact (See my previous post)
 

A Bittersweet Victory Against Dragon Squad

Our resilience paid off recently in a massive war against Dragon Squad alliance historically a top-tier alliance and a brutally tough competitor for anyone on the global.

We secured an easy win against them, and while we played incredibly well, the victory feels bittersweet. The reality is that Dragon Squad was hit hard by the June 2026 reset glitch. They lost several of their key ranked players, which severely crippled their firepower.

It's a strange feeling. We love a good fight, but seeing a legendary rival reduced to a minor threat because of a technical bug rather than a fair battle on the field just sucks.

Final Thoughts

To every Battle Islands player who lost their legacy account this month: we feel your pain. It’s a terrible way to see five years of dedication disappear.

As for Ducks, we are still standing, still fighting, and trying to make the most of a broken game. "Rise and rise again, until lambs become lions" even if the battlefield is crumbling beneath us.

Have a great weekend every warriors!

                      (o_
  c_    c_     \\\_\
\\)    \\)    <____) 

Farewell to Keppy, Duck4Nest, and Largeonchip

To Keppy: 

You are one of our best players, and I am so sorry to see you go. The reset glitch has hit everyone incredibly hard and has caused a lot of sad departures across the community. I believe 505 will keep the game alive, but I’m really not sure if or when they will actually fix this bug. Thank you for playing with us for the past year. You truly are one of the best, and I really hope this isn't the last we hear from you. All the best to you, my friend and our warrior.

To Duck4Nest and Largeonchip:

You guys are new but already such great warriors. Your incredible upgrade speed proves it. I am so sorry to see you depart, even without a chance to say goodbye. This reset is just terrible. I really hope 505 takes this seriously and checks into it 😠. This doesn't just hurt our lovely alliance, it hurts their own business, too.

 

Official Response from 505 Games Regarding the Reset Glitch

Hey Guys,  

I received the following email from 505. For now, they have no way to restore previous accounts. I’m sorry, but it looks like we’ve lost them permanently. This glitch hit everyone hard, not just us. We recently had an easy win against Mage's Navy, but I think a few players from that alliance lost their accounts too. That sucks! 

Check out the full email below:

Hello,

After investigations, the team was not able to enable access to the old Battle Islands accounts. We are sorry for any inconvenience this bug might have caused you.

We cannot save or modify your old account, but we can send compensation to your new account. If you are interested, please copy and paste the form below into your reply and fill in everything you can.

Please know that you can find your Battle ID at the bottom of your settings menu. If you play on PlayStation, there are no Battle IDs, so please share any older PlayStation account names (PSN) you have used.

Old account name:
Old account Battle ID:
New account name:
New account Battle ID:
Platform:
Older PSN(s):

If you have multiple accounts that were affected, you can repeat the form for each account.

If this is not related to your ticket, please simply respond back - we are trying to reach players as soon as possible.

What you should do?:

Write an email to support@505games.com including the following information:

• Old account name: [Provide your old account name, including any color code if any]
• Old account Battle ID:  [Your 8 characters of the old account ID e.g w0su-20sls ]
• New account name: [Provide your new account name, including any color code if any]
• New account Battle ID: [Your new account ID]
• Platform:Table, Android or PSN
• Older PSN(s): Your Play Station Name if you play on PS.

After a few days, 505 will send you an in-game notification. Click it to claim your gold. They used to hand out a few hundred thousand gold, which really helped you build your new base faster.

Good luck getting your compensation.

The reset glitch

Guys, this is really important! The reset glitch just happened to me again, but thankfully I avoided it.

Warning: If you log in and see a brand-new base or a welcome screen, PLEASE CLOSE THE GAME IMMEDIATELY. If you accept or interact with it at all, you will permanently lose your account.

 

This just happened to me. I closed the game and reopened it, and noticed that my account ID reverted from the new one to my original. I probably would have lost my account if I had done anything in the brand-new base! 

I informed Mr. Salep from 505 early today, and hopefully he can check it out ASAP. 

Consecutive Victories and global buzz!

What a week! We are currently riding a massive

The Turning Point As many of you know, some of our ranked veterans have moved on to new chapters. Losing them definitely makes the fly more challenging, but we’ve never been ones to back down from a fight. It’s a new era for the team, and the challenge only makes the victories sweeter. 

Shoutouts & Feedback A huge thank you to everyone for the massive effort lately. Check out some of the love we’ve been getting from the global community below!

Keep grinding, and enjoy the game!

DUCKS STRIKE GOLD!

The DUCKS are flying high and our bags are officially heavy! We just wrapped up a matchup against the СИЛА В ПРАВДЕ alliance, and let’s just say... the loot was legendary.

We found ourselves staring down a goldmine of inactive bases absolutely bursting with supplies. It was a total buffet!

• The Loot: An easy 20M+ supplies for anyone with a hungry army.
• The Results: Easy stars across the board to secure another dominant WIN.
• The Vibe: Low stress, high reward. 

A big thank you to СИЛА В ПРАВДЕ! While the warfare wasn't the toughest we've faced, it’s always a pleasure sharing the battlefield with you guys. Respect! 🤝

Matchup: DUCKS vs. REBEL ROOSTERS

Current Status: ⭐ 30 STARS (A perfect first half!)

The Mission:
We are off to an incredible start! Everyone is putting in their best effort as we say a proper goodbye to our teammates, MISIO and also MARSHMALLOW.

Let’s keep this momentum, stay flawless, and finish this war with a massive win in their honor. 

🦆🦆🦆

Farewell to Legends of DUCKS

Today we bid farewell to two true brothers in arms : DeathBringer and MISIO.
 

From the very first day, they stood shoulder to shoulder with us, fighting side by side, embodying the spirit of the DUCKS alliance. Their names are etched into our history, and their departure leaves a hole in the flock that will not be easily filled.

DeathBringer now sets out to forge a new path with his alliance, WILD MERCENARIES, while MISIO may step away from the battlefield or seek a native Spanish alliance. Whatever their journeys bring, we wish them nothing but success and strength. The world is round, and we hold hope that one day our paths will cross again, reunited in battle.

We must also acknowledge the impact of these departures. With GRILO (13K tags), DeathBringer (20K tags), and now MISIO (20K tags) gone, our overall ranking is at risk. To remain among the elite alliances, we must rise to the challenge. I am pushing my numbers hard, and I appreciate TOGO doing the same. Now it’s time for all of us to step up, increase our tag counts, and honor the legacy of those who fought beside us.

Thank you, DeathBringer and MISIO. You are legends, and DUCKS will never forget you.

 

 

A Farewell to Grilo

KOISE DE GRILO - a warrior from Portuguese, a brother-in-arms!

You are, and always will be, the ultimate warrior. An invaluable asset to the DUCKS alliance, we were incredibly lucky to have you join us from day one, back when our swings were weak and our feathers weren't yet thick enough to withstand the enemy's firepower.

Though you were one of the most silent players on the team, your actions spoke louder than words. We learned so much just by mimicking your style and watching your discipline on the battlefield.

Family comes first. We heard your last message about needing to step away to care for your mother, and we send our deepest respect. We can do nothing but offer our prayers and best wishes for her health and well-being.

The world is round, and all roads eventually cross. We truly hope to see you again and have you back in our lineup one day.

All the best to you and your loved ones.

Goodbye from all of us at DUCKS. 

DUCKS FLY TOGETHER: The Giant Slayers!

The smoke hasn’t even cleared from the battlefield yet, but the news is out: DUCKS just took down the giants!

We just wrapped up an absolute war against SF SUOMI FINLAND, the #6 ranked alliance on the leaderboard. Let’s be real—on paper, this looked like a "David vs. Goliath" situation. They came at us with a fortress of gurus and heavy hitters rocking 70K tags.

But games aren't played on paper.

The Tale of the Tape

While they had the "Top 6" title, we had the heart. Here’s how we pulled off the upset of the season:

The Front Line: Our ranked players went toe-to-toe with their elite, proving that "expert" is just a title until you meet a Duck in a dark alley.

The Secret Weapon: Our mid-range and average players absolutely outclassed their lineup. You guys were the backbone of this win!

Team Spirit: Our coordination and energy were on a completely different level. We didn't just play together; we fought together.

The Result: A Heart-Stopper

The final score? 27 / 26.

Talk about winning by a hair! Every single star earned from that 6th alliance served as a brick in the wall of this victory. We used every resource and every ounce of grit we had. Thank you everyone!

Congrats team! We are at our absolute best when we play together. SF SUOMI FINLAND put up a hell of a fight, but today, the DUCKS rule the sky!

A Message to Our Rivals

To SF SUOMI FINLAND: We secured the win this time, but you are still an incredible alliance. To be honest, if we had to do this warfare all over again tomorrow, we aren't sure the result would be the same. You pushed us to our limits, and we have nothing but respect for your strength. We will keep doing our best and keep growing to stay on your level!

Unusual Inbox Message today

I have reported to Salep at 505 the following case.

The technical nature of this message specifically criticizing the game's security infrastructure leads me to believe that this was not sent by 505 team, but rather by an unauthorized third party or hacker. 
 

Farewell to a Legend: Popeye

Team, it is with a heavy heart that I share some tough news.

As many of you know, Popeye has been with us since Day One. He wasn't just a member; he was a pioneer and a pillar of the DUCKS. Recently, he had been quiet, and I think the weight of our recent struggles against those massive alliances took a toll on him.

I want to be clear: no one dismissed him. He chose to slip away quietly, the same way he often led without needing the spotlight, just getting the job done.

To Popeye:

If you’re reading this, thank you. You were more than a teammate; you were my teacher and my guru. You were the wall that protected us when we were vulnerable.

• I’ll never forget your advice to move a few rigs far away from the base just to save a single star in warfare. That wisdom saved us more times than I can count.

• Your strategies are woven into the very fabric of how we fight.

Your spirit will live on in every war we start and every rally we join. You might be gone from the roster, but your tactical legacy is permanent here in DUCKS.

Fair winds and following seas, legend. You will be missed.

Goodbye Popeye - our legend

DUCKS vs ROGUE SOULS 2: Quality Over Quantity

Despite having only 8 active players this round (DeathBringer and Grilo were away on vacation), the DUCKS just pulled off a massive upset against Rogue Souls (Rank 12)!

• Final Score: 30 Stars (15 Raids) vs. 8 Stars (18 Raids)

• Performance: 99% Perfect hit rate.

• The Challenge: Facing a lineup with 75% CB-10 bases is never "easy peasy," but our strategy held firm.

Huge congrats to all the warriors involved for the flawless execution. I’ve compiled a few best replays here for strategy and review. I am sorry as I can't see and capture the replays from Kindle Fire players.

 

1. I believe in Zed vs Chronos
2. Misio vs King Kamehameha
3. Misio vs F3 Rocios
4. Keepy vs El Ultimo
5. Marshmallow vs Cheron
6. Marshmallow vs Gen Eddie 
7. JPduck vs TailGator
8. JPduck vs Chronos
9. Strike Command vs Jonas
10. Strike Command vs King Kamehameha

GG to everyone, enjoy the win!

Offensive Strategy Quiz: 7 Common Scenarios

Happy weekend, commanders! 

I’ve put together a quick quiz featuring 7 common offensive scenarios I captured during my recent gameplay and warfare. If you’re looking to level up your raiding skills, these cases are for you. 

While I’ve shared my preferred solutions, remember: there are many ways to achieve a successful raid! Your strategy might be different from mine, and that’s what makes the game great. 😈

Check it out, test your tactical instincts, and have a great weekend! 

JPDUCK from DUCKS Alliance!

Question 1

DUCKS vs Dragon Squad - What Went Right?

What a massive effort in our last war against DragonSquad! Even though it was a tight one, seeing 7 active warriors pull 25 stars was honestly incredible. We were this close to the win!

Huge congrats to the team for the hustle. To help us get even better, I’ve put together my first-ever video featuring some of the top replays from the war. It’s basically a reference for us to review our strategies and level up for the next one.

Check it out, and have a great weekend everyone. Thank you!

Defensive Strategy: Building the Ultimate Fortress

Happy Weekend, DUCKS! 

Between the New Year rush and the 'real world' calling, I know we’ve all been swamped. Whether you’re crushing it at work, hitting the books, or chasing after grand-kids, remember: Battle Islands is the great escape, but life is the main mission. We all have other fish to fry, but it’s always a blast to reconnect in the heat of warfare when we find a spare moment!

Shoutout to Popeye for the inspiration! I’ve put together a defensive refresher to help you protect your loot when you are offline or save those crucial stars in warfares. Use these tips to turn your island into a fortress that bites back.

The Lagoon Layout

The most successful top-tier players consistently employ a single strategy: The Lagoon. This approach involves establishing a protected "inner sanctum" within the water, much like a natural lagoon - a shallow area of water separated from the open sea by barriers such as sandbars or coral reefs.

A natural lagoon

The core principle is to position your strongest defensive assets in the center. This strategic placement keeps your defensive units safe from the enemy's range and forces the attacking enemy to navigate and overcome your naval mines to gain access.

• The Core: Place your Sea Forts, Harbor, The Hunter, and even the Rocket right in the middle.
• The Buffer: Surround the way in with naval mines and gun turrets

A few samples of the lagoon shape

The Deadly C-Shape 

If you have been playing this game for long enough, you may often see some C shape design out there. We called it “the trap” This is a classic for a reason. The game’s AI logic is simple: attackers usually target the nearest building, flatten them and reach to the next one. You can use this "tunnel vision" against them.

The "Trap" strategy involves arranging your buildings in a C-shape to create a path that funnels enemy units into a deadly ambush; as the enemy mindlessly follows the curve to destroy each building, they trigger a hidden trail of land mines while simultaneously being targeted by your centrally placed gun turrets and howitzers.

Watch the curve! The highlighted C-shape is rigged with land mines

Pro-Tips from the Global Feed 

I’ve been lurking in the global chat to gather some intel! Here are a few expert secrets on island placement and how to deck out each island with the perfect defensive setup. 😎

Tips from Dangerous and Mabel, they are the same player

Join the Best

No base is 100% invincible. The best offensive strategy will eventually find a way through. However, a smart design is the difference between losing a little and getting flattened.

If you want to see these theories in action, come join DUCKS and check out the bases of Deathbringer, Popeye, Misio, Colin and many great players from our alliance. (shoutout to Colin I totally copied his layout!)

Stay safe, hit hard, and enjoy the weekend!

Go DUCKS!

Growing Together: A New Vision for the DUCKS

It’s January 18th, 2026, and looking back on the last six months, it’s been quite an emotional journey. Our flock has flown high, seen many victories, and weathered many losses, we always keeping our spirits up.

However, we are currently facing a difficult chapter. We’ve said goodbye to some incredible players like SPOOGE, HungAB, and now DINAMA. With OG leaving yesterday and the need to clear inactive spots, things feel a bit different. We’ve also learned a hard lesson: while having high-ranked players is a great honor, their presence alone doesn't guarantee victory. In fact, they may attract powerful enemies that the rest of the team isn't ready to fight yet.

It’s time to sit back, not to relax, but to rethink our path. We may need to fly a bit lower and slower for a while. Our focus now is on growing together, strengthening our current roster, and recruiting dedicated players who want to build something long term.

Have a great weekend, everyone. Thank you for being part of this journey, whether it was for a few days or six months. Wishing you all the best.

Goodbye, HungAB and SPOOGE: Two Warriors We'll Miss

It’s with a touch of sadness that we bid farewell (for now, we hope!) to two of our dedicated warriors: HungAB and SPOOGE. They've been invaluable members of our team, flying with the flock through thick and thin for many months.

SPOOGE, in particular, has been with us almost from day one, a true veteran of our shared adventures. HungAB, too, has been a consistent and reliable presence.

There's a well-known glitch in the game where some players experience persistent crashes upon logging in until their alliance dismisses them, allowing for a sort of "reset." We're holding onto the hope that this is exactly what happened to HungAB and SPOOGE. We desperately hope this step helps them resolve any issues they might be facing. This might be the case for HungAB, as his main Combat Base is still showing unit promotions despite him being offline for over 10 days.
 

We truly hope to see both of you back in action, soaring with us once again. Until then, fly safe, wherever you are!

Goodbye for now, my friends.