Merchant republics should not be penalized for tall play

[annulen]

Before 1.30, merchant republics had a limit of 20 state provinces and had republican tradition penalty after that. Since 1.30 this limit was replaced with +25% state governing cost. However, if merchant republic stays withing 20 provinces and develops them, it can easily hit governing capacity limit, and because of 25% penalty it would come quicker than with other government types.

I think this is somewhat unfair, as merchant republics should be encouraging tall play instead of penalizing it. At least, capital state should not consume government capacity (now it costs 25% of development because of aforementioned +25% penalty, while for other governments it's free).

The same considerations apply to Eastern Plutocracies which use all mechanics and bonuses/penalties of merchant republics since 1.31.

 

[annulen]

Actually, this +25%/-25% governing cost modifier is geared for wide gameplay instead of tall: you are encouraged to grab a lot of lands outside of your home subcontinent and put everything into trade companies, while not developing your states at all. It kind goes against other features of merchant republics.

I think governing cost penalties and bonuses should be determined by province being a center of trade. It could look like this:

Province type	Is CoT	Suggested GC modifier from government type	Total GC modifier with suggested changes (no buildings etc.)	Current GC modifier from government type	Current total GC modifier
Capital state	No	0%	-100%	+25%	-75%
Capital state	Yes	0%	-100%	+25%	-75%
Non-capital state	No	+25%	+25%	+25%	+25%
Non-capital state	Yes	+12.5%	+12.5%	+25%	+25%
Trade company	No	0%	-50%	-25%	-75%
Trade company	Yes	-25%	-75%	-25%	-75%
Territory	No	0%	-75%	0%	-75%
Territory	Yes	0%	-75%	0%	-75%

Here, CoT provinces states get lower GC penalty, and TC provinces get GC bonus only if they have CoT, otherwise they have normal cost.