Add a decay + incentive to stay near the top and that will create a competitive environment. An example I could think of is 50% plunder boost against other players, or more actions for troops/spies.
The war hammer 1918 Flashlight 1917 Battlegrounds II 1913 H3RE 1744 Ducking Buffoons 1725 Shy Force 1723 PVP Beasts 1646 Shogun's Samurai 1479 Drake. 1465 Fort briggs 1464 Ticklesonyourbutt 1435 existence.. 1427 Scrubs at war 1050 CAMP SAWI 1038 Dolium et bysso 1012 Life of the damned 768