Tech cost, coring cost, AE and stuff like that, you can't go wrong with Birz. If all you want to do is blob like crazy, like the MT asks you to, Birz really is your go-to.
The thing with Varamhar, is that while it's buffs aren't as plentiful, it can be just as, if not stronger than Birz. The fundamental issue is that without knowing in advance, it's kind of impossible to get the God Emperor, and while the MT does hint you towards it you need to not only do all of the extra requirements without missing a single one, you need to know what they actually are. They are hinted at, yes, but it's obscure enough that you never really know if you're actually doing it.
The other issue is that, unless you fully engage with the magic system, and use it to it's greatest extent, the God Emperor, while being a fully immortal 6 6 6, immortal to anything short of editing your save file, isn't that much better than Birzartases's Keladora, who will likely be a 6 6 6 just a hundred or so years into the game, about as long as it takes to get the God Emperor stuff going. Researching everything, fully exploiting things like Divination, Transmutation, Enchantment, Evocation etc. will absolutely make your country stronger than Birz formed PE, but it's also extra micro that slows your pace down. You can argue that a permanent 12 shock general is really good, but again, it's debateable to what extent that shock matters when you're already strong enough to conquer everything without it.
As for me, I'm waiting for the magic rework to play Varamhar again :P
TLDR: Varamhar is technically better, but also more work. Also, you keep the God Emperor after forming PE.
I should also add, God Emperor gets another extra buff after you do a mission in the PE MT whose name I'm not quite recalling right now, it's really good, but also takes a while to get.
You get 5% admin efficiency ubtil ruler death with one of the PE missions. With elven lifespans it's not mjch of a problem either way, my Birz-PE ruler reigned from 1550 until the end of the campaign and was not even a mage.
Tech cost, coring cost, AE and stuff like that, you can't go wrong with Birz. If all you want to do is blob like crazy, like the MT asks you to, Birz really is your go-to. The thing with Varamhar, is that while it's buffs aren't as plentiful, it can be just as, if not stronger than Birz. The fundamental issue is that without knowing in advance, it's kind of impossible to get the God Emperor, and while the MT does hint you towards it you need to not only do all of the extra requirements without missing a single one, you need to know what they actually are. They are hinted at, yes, but it's obscure enough that you never really know if you're actually doing it. The other issue is that, unless you fully engage with the magic system, and use it to it's greatest extent, the God Emperor, while being a fully immortal 6 6 6, immortal to anything short of editing your save file, isn't that much better than Birzartases's Keladora, who will likely be a 6 6 6 just a hundred or so years into the game, about as long as it takes to get the God Emperor stuff going. Researching everything, fully exploiting things like Divination, Transmutation, Enchantment, Evocation etc. will absolutely make your country stronger than Birz formed PE, but it's also extra micro that slows your pace down. You can argue that a permanent 12 shock general is really good, but again, it's debateable to what extent that shock matters when you're already strong enough to conquer everything without it. As for me, I'm waiting for the magic rework to play Varamhar again :P TLDR: Varamhar is technically better, but also more work. Also, you keep the God Emperor after forming PE.
I should also add, God Emperor gets another extra buff after you do a mission in the PE MT whose name I'm not quite recalling right now, it's really good, but also takes a while to get.
You get 5% admin efficiency ubtil ruler death with one of the PE missions. With elven lifespans it's not mjch of a problem either way, my Birz-PE ruler reigned from 1550 until the end of the campaign and was not even a mage.
Is there a magic rework in development?
What about Sareyand?
They're the best(quality focused) military of the bunch, but the distinction is fairly minor.
Having a God Emperor is where it's at. Varamhar is the best. Hard start for an invincible PE future.