Alright, I haven't played EUIII in ages... I wanna start with a country outside Europa, so I have to westernize. Can someone sum up in a few points what are the important decisions/sliders in the first 50-100 years? I'm thinking of starting with an African country, if that helps.
I'm nearing the century mark with Benin. Here are some highlights. For nations that start as Tribal Despotism/Federation do NOT go over 9 provinces until you can make the switch to Despotism or something else nifty. At 10, a ruler with ADM < 7 will trigger 'incapable ruler' and your nation will break apart. Vassalize everyone. I have 3 vassal nations and a PU, all ready to be integrated, but I don't dare do it because I know I'll get a dummy heir and lose it all.
Tech milestones: You need Trade 2 to place merchants in CoTs. You need Land 3 to build forts. You need Naval 2 to build galleys. (I've just hit Naval 2 but somehow can't build ships yet, and yes all my provinces have cored.) Gov 10 plus other stuff to
reform the government. [Gov 10! Eeeek!]
Tip: Rebels will be the bane of your existence. If you have a large unfriendly neighbor that you don't dare attack, it is *totally* worth gifting them silly. Use ANY means necessary to get them to tolerate you, or they will spend all their extra cash funding rebels. They will be successful in promoting revolts because your spy resistance will be crap. You have been warned.
Edit: One more tip. Don't go trying to convert a province's religion until you've built forts. Rebels will spawn, capture the province, and the expensive missionary will be crucified. [OK, so he just disappears, the drama is my own imagination.] It's just too expensive to pay for the missionary, and have high maintenance troops standing ready 24/7.