How the ranks are chosen
Country ranks follow city count, the published world-map strength order, and the tech-cost tradeoff. Unit ranks follow published counters and costs. A missing stat is not treated as a zero. S is the safest first-match pick or the unit that wins the matchups that matter most, and D is a start the notes tell you to avoid.
S tier
Player decision Play this on a first public match if you want time to learn recruiting and the money panel.
Player decision Same first-match role as the United States. Confirm neighbours on the map you loaded.
Player decision Prefer India when you are on the world map and you want the strongest published economy, not when you only wanted a European neighbour list.
A tier
Player decision A solid Europe start when China or the United States is taken.
Player decision Pick it from the map, not from the flag row, so you know who actually borders you.
Player decision Good first-match size. Budget medals before you expect the empire button.
Player decision Use it when you want a large Europe start with a single-country formable later.
Player decision Strong Europe or world start. Do not treat it as the richest world-map country.
B tier
Player decision Only for a deliberate tech rush. One occupied capital ends the rebuild.
D tier
Player decision Skip it unless you are testing the bottom of the ladder on purpose.
Player decision Avoid as a first spawn. The flanking and occupation rules punish a one-city neighbour of a giant.