Best Ideas for Theodoro on Very Hard?

[Jǫrmungandr,]

Trying to figure out the best ideas to choose on a Theodoro Very Hard campaign. I've been rushing mercs ideas first everytime since manpower is so preciously rare in these instances, but was wondering if anyone had some other potential thoughts.

[RCMidas]

Diplomatic, Administrative, Influence; in that order. Diplomatic gets you better allies to waste THEIR manpower in YOUR wars, Administrative saves on coring costs which lets you expand better through conquest, and Influence makes it cheaper to expand through vassals; and both of the latter two are mathematically better for improving your strength than hiring mercs.

[Marquoz]

Yup. Unless you're an early colonizer, the Big Three of Admin, Diplo, and Influence are always the strongest option. Other idea groups can be made to work, or are fun to roleplay, or can be used for variety, or can be a self-imposed handicap if you want to make the game harder on yourself. Merc ideas are a perfect example of this. Want a tough campaign? Then pick any military idea group early on. The combination of falling behind in tech with a group that offers little benefit compared to the Big Three guarantees a major challenge.