[JimMorrison]

Well this is absolutely true. But to the more experienced player, "power" is relative to the amount of options, so if one tactic fails or just isn't applicable to a particular foe, you have something to fall back on.

This is why nations such as Ulm and Abysia should tend to rate consistently low, as they are more 1 dimensional than other nations, and are more easily defeated. But by the same token, since Early Game has much to do with expansion against indies, they'd do well there, since they have cheap and heavily armored troops, but then their relative "power" begins to drop off somewhat compared to other races who can more easily change gears to counter an unexpected threat.