Tier I: The Great Powers

#1. Norway. With the highest production, highest gold-per-turn (both gross and net), highest faith-per-turn, most trade routes, and second or third place in many other important statistics, things are looking up for Norway's team of top-tier players. With the Geats being weak and small, and of questionable competence, I predict an easy conquest in Norway's near future. With all this said, I expect Norway to be a top contender all the way into the endgame, and if I were a betting man, I'd be putting my money on their eventual victory. Also nice cheeky city on the Swedish coastline there.

#2. Lithuania. Although leading in the stats of military size, total faith, and most importantly land area, and sitting at second-highest for production, Lithuania's other statistics range from just decent to poor. In addition, their two neighbours are each more formidable than Norway's Geats, and their team of ostensibly competent players seem more interested in trolling Discord chats than they do in winning. Overall, Lithuania still boasts an impressive position, but not quite as a secure one as Norway does.

#3. Schleswig-Holstein. Beyond their intimidatingly long and unpronounceable name, S-H is leading in techs, population, and food-per-turn. The rest of their stats vary wildly from solid to meh, but nothing stands out as an exceptional weakness. Their strong navy and Optics lends them control of the regional seas and major rivers, just in time for what seems to be a looming war with Poland. Assassinating Taqn was a plot of questionable utility, but if it had succeeded it would've been the highlight of the part, so I can't fault them too much for trying it. Whether or not they will emerge as a major contender in the endgame depends heavily on their performance in the next few parts, and I wish the best of luck to Vanne's and Colombia's motley crew of inexperienced, but clearly ambitious, players.

Tier II: The Mediocre Powers

#4. Poland. Poland may lack in cities, but they're first place in research, social policies, and happiness, and are second place in techs and treasury. They still do have some room to expand, especially in the east, but the armies of S-H and Lithuania loom ominously near their western and eastern borders, respectively. But Poland is hardly easy prey to either of those powers, and Poland seems relatively revolt-free, despite the memes. The loss of Supe could be considered both a blessing and a curse - he's a competent, decisive player, but he seemed to clash with Poland's other leaders on nearly every decision. Some clever plays could easily jump Poland up several places, and I look forward to seeing what the veterans Lurking and CC can cook up for the coming parts.

#5. Finland. I had a hard time deciding whether to rate Finland above Novgorod, or vice-versa. Both have similar stats, with Novgorod's in my opinion being slightly superior overall, but ultimately, Finland's strategically important corner position gives them the edge. Most would've thought that they only had one way to expand - through Novgorod - but their ambitious, abortive plot to settle Sweden's western coastline shows otherwise. Optics won't be far away in Finland's future, so this daring scheme may be attempted again soon. Regardless, their stats don't put them in a good position compared to the leading coalitions, but they're hardly in a bad place either. Reformer's clever schemes could quite possibly jump them up into Tier I, and they'll be an interesting civ to watch for the next few parts.

#6. Novgorod. Although Novgorod's raw stats are roughly equivalent to or slightly better than Finland's, their strategic position is not. Sandwiched between the infamously trollish Lithuanians and Reformer's Finland is not an enviable position. However, their position isn't quite bad enough to call anything yet - come clever diplomacy and plotting could yet provide a reversal of fortune, but Ignus, Dan, and their cohorts undeniably have an uphill climb ahead of them, if they want to win the mark.

Tier III: The Weak Powers

#7. Geats. Yeah rip tbh. GG Endless, Briusky, Bluey et al.