For such qs can we assume that a smaller base raised to a larger exponent exceeds a larger baseraised to a smaller exponent
Uh yeah but you have to clarify at “what point” this happens.
No, you cannot “assume” it - 2^3 < 3^2.
except for integers 1 and 2, the it will be true right?
Your question is ambiguous and honestly thus has no answer.
With no constraints, there’s no practical answer to this.
If we’re comparing 3^{x + 1} and 4^x (like you are here), you have that 3^{x + 1} > 4^x only for x < 3.8 ish. In this case, you can say the “larger base” grows faster in the long run.