[Xietor]

Ctis is not in my top 3 for a couple of reasons.

They have no ranged troops, and cannot effectively augment their troops with independents(because they are not immune to disease). Mercenaries can be used, but they also get diseased, which s not too bad since you use them for 3 turns.

If you play a map with lots of water squares, Ctis cannot defend those against water races too well. Its dominion kills off the indies you purchase.

Ctis sacred is weak, and their best infantry is just sufficient. Poison slingers have short range, and many times you poison your own troops.

They do have awesome priests. When I play Ctis i use a dom 10 awake Wyrm for early expansion. He can solo provinces, sea or land, on turn 2. Cash never seems to be a problem for ctis, marsh masters mages do not have old age, are good researchers, and ctis has access to many magics.