New player needs some advice in my current Castile game (AoW 1.8)

[Maelstrominabox]

I'm currently on my second game in EUIV, after playing Ottomans right before AoW was released. Looking at what's going on, I'm a little stuck as to where I should be heading in the game. Especially since I've realized that some of my choices may not have been the best game

It's 1514 in my game, and I managed to gain control of all of the mainland European provinces for Castile, Aragon, Portugal and Navarra; in addition to grabbing Labort from England before France could get it. (Mistake #1 - gave France cause to Rival me, and haven't been able to repair situations yet). I own three provinces in N Africa, have Fez as a Catholic vassal (possibly my second mistake), currently feeding them surrounding provinces usually after converting them to Catholic. I have a colony starting in Trinidad, and so far I'm the only one in the Americas after banishing Portugal to Africa. I had tried to wipe Portugal from the map, but since they had already begun colonizing Africa it was more trouble than it was worth. Some have my game play has been quite sloppy, but I will chalk those up to learner's mistakes.

Before I integrated Navarra from a PU, I released Aragon as a vassal so that they would only have a few provinces and it gives me the ability to form Spain diplomatically. I've already dealt with enough uprising that I didn't want the other revolt risk if there was a better way, plus the added benefit of giving me claims (one of which will expire in a few years) on Italian provinces and I also have a quest to make my presence known in Italy.

Right now, I'm completely lost as to which direction to head in. I know I should continue the colonization part of the game, even if it is boring me to tears so far. I'd love to own the Caribbean trade node. But beyond that, I'm unsure of which direction to focus on. I took Influence Ideas first and grabbed the 1st four of those ideas until I grabbed Exploration Ideas. So far I'm at 3, almost at 4 of those. I've completed the first 2 of my NI. My current techs are Adm 8, Dip 7, Mil 10 (I've been swimming in Mil points in this game because I haven't taken any Military Ideas, currently two Mil techs ahead of France).

So, any advice on which idea to take once I hit Adm 10 would be quite helpful, as well as a direction to head in. I'm unaccustomed to relatively open ended games, and this one is making me want to do everything at once, even though I know it's impossible.

Thanks in advance

 

[AurochsAway]

Don't try to get on France's good side, it's probably a waste of time, even if you didn't have Labourd. Fez as a vassal is not bad at all, saves a great deal of admin points. The real mistake was getting a PU over Navarra What a waste of a diplo slot.

I recommend getting a military idea sometime, no point wasting those points. Dominating the Americas is your typical Spain game. If you want a challenge try and deal with France before they decide to deal with you, and perhaps aim to gain the Empire Charles V had. You can basically do what you want.

 

[Maelstrominabox]

In regards to the PU over Navarra, I completely agree with you about the waste of a diplo spot. (Un)fortunately, I married them early in the game and their ruler died without an heir. They picked me over Aragon, and I wound up with them as well as a war with Portugal and Aragon if I remember correctly. They were actually quite useful for me during those 50 years. I fed them a bunch of provinces up in that area, and since the PU happened very quickly in the game, they were integrated early as well.

My only fear with France is that they have 2x the military strength as I do, so I'm trying to at least not get too overextended. I learned that lesson early on in the game.

 

[Aries666]

If you are up for a challenge fight France with a combination of Austria/Burgundy forcing them to release as many nations as possible which you can absorb later. You may lose but it will teach you a lot about how to fight a war against a superior opponent.

 

[Andrei Cuza]

You can keep an eye out for the next time France gets in a major war then kick them when they're down. Don't have to annex provinces, just make them release some nations.
Just be careful not to feed any nation that wants France's provinces, like Burgundy.

Or you could just straight up annex them, if that's what you want. I know I did and it was fun

 

[grandadmiralbob]

Release Guyenne....... easiness ensues.....

 

[AurochsAway]

In regards to the PU over Navarra, I completely agree with you about the waste of a diplo spot. (Un)fortunately, I married them early in the game and their ruler died without an heir. They picked me over Aragon, and I wound up with them as well as a war with Portugal and Aragon if I remember correctly. They were actually quite useful for me during those 50 years. I fed them a bunch of provinces up in that area, and since the PU happened very quickly in the game, they were integrated early as well.

My only fear with France is that they have 2x the military strength as I do, so I'm trying to at least not get too overextended. I learned that lesson early on in the game.

No point even marrying Navarra. Just straight out conquer them, tiny OPM. You probably don't need many forces in the Americas. You'll need some in North Africa, but it should be simple to ship them home to fight France quickly, so military overextension shouldn't be a problem.