should I give citizen rights?

[echoes222]

I want to return to play as Sparta and go from 0 to hero. What i used to do in the past was to conquer Crete asap and then give noble rights to Cretans so that I could have bigger army. then at the end of storyline, I'd do the same with Macedonians. Is that a right thing to do, to have several hellenic cultures with full rights? Or should i keep nobles only from my original culture, and only give citizen rights to all the big groups?

[Lordly Cinder]

Macedonians yes!! Huge army increase. If you own enough of their land especially Pella area. The cretans are I believe about 70% archers.. So if you need to you could but later it would be not so helpful. I did Sparta as well and was able to win without Crete as integrated. It may be worth it though, I'm not sure the downsides would matter that much. Prolly best to do it.

Sorry I misunderstood your question. In my somewhat experienced view I would only do a few at most. The benefits just are not there for majority of the small cultures. I tried this with some more populated areas and the downsides I believe just don't give enough benefit to negative. Not in the area you are in at least.

[echoes222]

would you push them to nobles or just citizens? :)

[Myll]

Depends, but I'd only make Citizens.

Look at Military Traditions for your Culture. Hover over each of the wire-diagram boxes. Verify if you want to use a cross-over Tradition that enables/opens-up access to a different culture's Tree.

If you do, check culture of your current/projected area Culture groups, and make an informed strategic decision whether you should then elevate that group to Citizen status, which then helps enable the potential for moving into that Military Tradition (beyond just the Greek culture groups).

Bear in mind, -4% happiness per Culture group given Integrated/Citizen status, for your Integrated Culture group, so I have only done one per play through (caution on going 3 or more unless you're taking Tech Advances specifically to counter the effects).

Other techniques if you want that heavy Greek flavor without bogging down the Integrated list that nerfs you:
- Set Provinces to "Cultural Assimilation" as early as possible, potentially Day 1 thing to modify for most of your densest population Provinces.

At Day 1 of Game Start, set your strategy in motion by doing a sorted view of all Provinces and make decision on the "how to" assimilate. Any/all buffs to help Assimilation, take them. Reminder - if different religions out there, always get Religious Unity >75% first, then go for Cultural Assimilation and use the Provincial Governor Policies and Omens to rapid-synch your people. Just wanted to make sure you see that - other strategies exist besides just a give-in-and-Integrate option.

[echoes222]

thanks