in pay to win worlds you can do whatever you want
None of the worlds I've played defense startup on were pay to win.
1 Level 31 HQ BizNiz 4.673 1 4673
2 BeautifulDestruction 4.246 2 2123
3 Going Quantum BizNiz 4.238 1 4238
4 Tick Noby Petra 3.778 1 3778
5 Meowitzer Base 3.764 1 3764
6 YourRacoon Offend 3.624 1 3624
7 Undercover killer BizNiz 3.541 1 3541
8 Mr Puddykins BizNiz 3.485 1 3485
9 Lama in the Bahamas BizNiz 3.459 1 3459
10 Oblivion 365 Bunny! 3.454 1 3454
Top 10 of W63 around the start of nobling.
Going Quantum was DentarthurDent, widely considered one of the best startup players ever. Yet, he was nearly 500 points behind my "terrible" defense startup.
Not activity abuse either, Tick Noby (cheesasaurus, a TW developer) were the only two solo accounts in the top 10, and I don't use sitters.
Believe it or not, I know a thing or twelve about startup and haven't fluked my way to 30+ rank 1's. Defense works just fine.