I'd pick the South American Countries, most specifically Brazil and Argentina.

Brazil can be the substitute for those who like the Soviet Union and the position was already taken. It has the allied doctrine though, but you'll feel right at home feeling big; territory and army wise. The Soviets and the Brazilians do share a downside; bordering a lot of nations. You'll have to worry about the Spanish and the Brits, but at least that's the reason why you have such a large starting army.

Argentina could pick on the AI easily; Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Though having an average starting army, you could easily pick the AI off one by one. This could help you get a head start on resource production for compensation of your doctrine's downfall; unit cost.

I'm moving this discussion to Q+A section.

But to add to the discussion:

I really like to pick Persia. I have the most fun with them. No overwhelming advantage so you are starting behind all the big nations but are in a decent spot geographically to grow and be a contender for victory.

My favourite is the UK. In the historic map, your navy can be very useful. And you have tons of colonies. Its very fun!

The best country is the USA. Although, it has weak military at beginning. Within a week you be more powerful then all your neighbors. The resource and troop production of the US is enormous. Within 20 days I had 21% in most powerful armies. I had a total of 500 units.

-Japan, UK and little harder option Germany for quick expansion and constan war.

-USA for slow and industry focused game.

-USSR, Italy or evem some smaller nations for tryhards.

*This is my opinion only.

Really this topic depends on how you define *best*.

Best as in easiest to win with a clear advantage?
or
Best as in most fun and more of a challenge?

usa: free win
germany: free 1000 points then boring africa war
japan: germany but enemy all goes ai
ussr: comitern version of usa but more work is required
uk: get boring because only 7 core cities, not 28
france: fun for rp but if germany is skilled waiting for dday is boring
italy: gets blocked off by bigger europe country
canada: get carried or destroyed by usa
poland: die to ussr or germany if they are experienced
persia: weak af i picked it on accident

the best i think is japan because it is a mix of usa germany and uk. you have island and navy advantage and huge army. the rest of asia is weak af and has almost no troops at start so free points. you can turn island into navy and airplane production only and build speed infantry to zoom around in asia and middle east

My favorite nation to play is the Netherlands. The challenge is real, and it’s one of the hardest countries to play with. However, your multiple colonies gives you multiple places to work with. You can grow into a naval power fast.

Two nukes aren't necessary. Just send in a couple of artillery, medium tanks, and infantry and the job will be done.

United States, or maybe China, are the easiest to play. While both have relatively small starting armies, their resource production is enormous. United States is extremely easy to defend and have few immediate threats to begin with. China, although Japan is inclined to attack them right away, is large and slow to take over, especially considering that Manchukuo is separate from Japan. China can also easily build up a capable army over a short period of time, and feasibly become the dominant powerhouse in Asia.

However, I think the best challenge is playing as the Netherlands.

That's only available on the "All Countries: All in!" event.

The HWW map is only 30 players.

Netherlands is playable in historic, I was allies with them, and also best for me is Japan

I stand corrected! Totally forgot they were added into on the 30p update (used to the old 25p)

germany is easily the best, you can invade the Soviet Union after invading France, Italy, Yugoslavia, Romania, and little country’s beside you and after you are done invading the Soviets your OP considering now no one can stop you.

A little unconventional...but Xinjiang. I've won twice as Xinjiang (although one of those was classic, not 1.5)

I reckon Germany


Also tribunate read Eternal Army by me its bout dutch

Almoast every country is best if you better player then your opponents are.

By equal skills, online times and diplomatic luck you will never be able win with Germany, Italy, France or all lesser nations. Only USSR, USA, GB and Japan have chance for victory in balanced by skill, online time and diplomaty gameround. With a biggest "but", USA are a way to far away to have most fun in such round. In "true" WW2 similar team fight game round is decided in first 3 till 5 days.
In that time are USA everything but other than superpower. But we ha e second "but" here. USA have chance for Victory, even if axis won first 5 days and killed all european allies and USSR. For sure not soloing, but with allies arround the world.

nah. As mentioned, ive beaten active USSR USA france Uk as Germany.... twice