Cities and Strongholds are replaced by Cities and Banks this season. Each player can make up to 3 CrystalGold deposits a day into a controlled Bank, for up to 15 active deposits at once on 5-day terms - longer terms pay more interest but carry more plunder risk if the Bank falls, so balance how much you're willing to risk.
Rankings come from Influence Points, a free-for-all standing rather than the faction-based competition of earlier seasons - more diplomatic flexibility, but also less certainty about where you stand relative to others at any given moment. A separate CrystalGold Tycoon system tracks five independent weekly leaderboards (Total CrystalGold, Bank Investments, Bank Plunders, Train Trade, Shooting Duel) with their own rewards regardless of your overall rank.
Difficulty rises sharply this season - zombie and Doom Elite level caps go up to 120, and a Level 10 Bank Stronghold Boss can require close to 40,000 Virus Resistance. Push resistance early rather than assuming last season's numbers will carry you through.