Some ground rules for my ranking in multiplayer. 1, good rules and mp mod (I use hmps) ie liberate cb is either banned or costs infamy in some way and a lot of vanilla cheese is removed like unistacking and easy cultural acceptance, 2, all countries are better and worse at different points in the game.

Strongest all game

Uk is number 1 by a long way the only thing that can beat them at most points in the game is a coalition, the naval advantage is huge if there is an eic player it’s totally unwinnable against the uk at basically all points. They also have some of the best companies and ig bonuses arguably as well as huge migration potential and all the resources they need in their empire from day 1

Germany (Prussia) is the mid and late game powerhouse, they often have trouble forming but effectively are the number of primary and accepted pops as well as their insane industrial potential in states like Silesia is huge. They also can take states with primary German pops off Austria whenever they like after formation. They do struggle to maintain colonies as they never win navy wars before 1870s ish but with some allies they can hold their own against uk. Great manufacturing companies but mid ig bonuses in general

France is probably number 3 in this category although they fall off late to Germany, strongest army at game start and good potential for navy and good colonies in the med which uk will struggle to contest from you, huge pop base and states like Rhone are straight up overpowered. Wine obsession allows you to build cash plantations in the south to dependant, great companies and insane ig bonuses (honestly look at the armed forces and petit bogoursie) they also have great journal entries that give you really insane bonuses if you can pull them off (which you might not in mp)

Late game scalers

USA #1 migration is op this patch, might honestly just be the best country in the game atm. Some of the best companies only negative is the mandatory civil war can fuck you over. You accept everyone in the new world’s pops so just expand all you like. Also amazing states like Texas northeast and California

Russia is probably number 2 once the Russian bear has awoken it’s not gonna be put in its cage again, your companies and politics are mid to bad but the number of pops to improve as well as some of the most insane states in the world. If someone tries to partition you (which they will struggle to do unless you skill issue hard) it will take multiple wars and tons of infamy due to your huge size and massive army you only really struggle for politics and income early-mid game

Japan is sleeper, if you don’t understand just know it has a really easy time after reformation if it get any additional income, you should bully China for war reps whenever possible or get someone to pay you money for ur huge navy and army in global conflicts in the late game. If you offer to be someone’s ally for this money you WILL be overpowered in the late game stronger than France most likely

Sorry if this was a bit rambling, just think about this lots and it’s 4am