I rather think that most people have been expecting such a merge to happen. Act1 with such spread and promise were just too quite, very unlike a major tribe. And considering their long standing alliance with Punch, it was a tactical move i agree.
Few months back it was RAW vs WIN, then Punch declared on Win as well. Those were some tough times for WIN with inactivity creeping up and fighting wars at two fronts. They had to recruit players from Patron and 9th to keep up the spirit and morale. This again i consider a strategic move demanded by the situation. Getting gangbangd really sucks (been in that position myself elsewhere, so i know).:icon_wink:
Anyways, due to certain "situations", RAW had a falling out with Punch and declared on them. The tables had turned, now Punch had to fight at two fronts. So, again to even out the odds the merge between Act1 and Punch happened i guess.
I actually remember when w54 was boring as hell, every major tribe were merging and getting bigger, no major wars as such, pretty much put all the smaller tribes out of competition. But the current situation has changed that, we actually have our first world war it seems, with all the major tribes involved in some way or another. It should be an evenly matched contest now.
Being an outsider, i have tried to remain unbiased in my opinions. :icon_cool:
