Honestly I have been playing in all civilizations. All are active accounts.
° French are suffering economically, but I find it balanced in pvp due to faster training troops. This is my main nation, I find it really great cause I don't like to retrain/wait for retraining
plus I can donate more.
° Brits are economically developed. My second account, fastest advanced account so far. Created it less than a year. Level 155, Atomic Age, currently working in Atomic troops and barracks.
° Germans are super. Both in wars and pvp. Their infantry could replace any other ground troops alone
. Unfortunately it's not my main account, but I'm excited to keep maintaining it. Probably will be my strongest account if they all get along at similar levels.
° Koreans, so-so. I like that sometimes I can train all riflemen yet they could crush the buildings fast.
° Romans, a bit better than so-so. A little more efficient economically because I can train all infantry to loot, yet they all can survive lol, they're really resistant
° Chinese should be great to begin with. Outsmarted by Brits in later age though
° Japanese, and Greeks, my least choice. They could be good as long as they are given more perks! Nobody wants defensive nations
Footnote : Change your nation to Germans or French in later age. If you're Brits, stay there lol.
If you want decent buildings, choose Koreans