Quick Question about France

[Jay916]

Started a new game as them and I really want to stop Castille and Portugal from colonizing everything. But to do that I have to core all their sea provinces. So should I take Administrative as my first Idea group to help with coring all that land? Because it's going to be expensive :unsure::unsure:

 

[Selvas]

In current patch you don't have to worry about that, there is still plenty of space for colonization even in XVII century!

 

[tgungamer]

That would work but I don't think it is the best idea. You really want exploration and expansion to be a colonial power. I would probably focus dip, take exploration then expansion second. Get Navarra and Galicia as vassals, probably even a released catholic granada as vassal/ally too, and use them to eat Castille and Portugal's coast while you take the islands and core them yourself to extend your colonial range to the Americas. You can probably shut them down quickly only coring 4-5 provinces over a couple wars yourself. While doing this, annex your starting vassals to keep relations manageable. It's ok to be a few over your limit for awhile.

 

[Incompetent]

You don't need to shut the Iberians down. Let them colonise a bit while colonising yourself, then use your superior military strength to steal all their colonies. That way you'll fill the New World with French CNs much faster than you could if you had to do everything yourself.