Expansion vs Exploration

[ololololol]

So the question - which one to pick. I realize that it depends a lot on the situation, so which one might be better in mine?

I'm playing as Cherokee in North America, my plan is to colonize the North America, I don't have a need for conquistadors/explorers thats for sure. But with Exploration I would only have 1 colonist - would that be enough?

Any help would be great, thanks!

[Darksinth]

If you want to colonize a lot of land, I'd advise taking both idea groups. Start with either exploration or expansion depending on whether you get admin or diplo monarch points faster.

[Super_]

Exploration first as even if you don't use both colonists, you're not wasting admin points and can get a second idea quick.

[Jaq]

All of North America? Exploration is the better colonization idea of the two (2 colonists and a larger settler bonus), but you're definitely going to need both. You have no time to waste.

Also, if you're going for the Cherokee achievement, keep in mind that too much colonization is going to slow down your ability to embrace all Institutions (which has replaced the Westernization requirement). I'm playing as the Cherokees right now and have all the required territories plus just about everything east of the Mississippi River, but I'm starting to panic about whether I'll reach Enlightenment before time runs out, such that I've shut down all further colonization.

[Damedius]

I've played a couple of games as a Native nation and colonizing.

They usually end up being really boring games because all you end up doing all game is colonize. So much of your resources are tied up and you end up watching the years go by without much happening.