This thread kind of bobs up and down a bit. I really should edit those first posts to reflect my easing of the restrictions for posting ratings. I guess I just overestimated the number of oldtimers who would find this interesting enough to take the time. Hmmmm, maybe this will finally get me to drag myself into IRC and bug some people there.
I think it's just too hard to really quantify the nations.
there are some obviously powerful nations.
but I can think of ways to counter certain of them with what are considered very weak nations in the same age.
I would almost say that
powerful = obvious and easy to use powerful strategy
that said, some nations are overpowered, but by and large, most of them have options available which makes them all scary in the hands of a crafty player.
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.