will small coalitions ever catch a break?

What do you mean? I will be glad to assist you.

No. The only reason people want to join large Coalitions is because they want someone to babysit their @ss because they don't know how to play the game. I've never been part of a large coalition for more than a month and I'm already over level 75 and still going strong. Besides, when you join large Coalitions you tend get lost in the shuffle and moving up in rank is virtually impossible. The other reason people only join large Coalitions is for the free bonuses from the Pans and Capitals. Over rated in my opinion. Unless you enjoy letting your units sit their and collect dust.