I was getting frustrated to losing to weaker opponents more than 50% of time when i found very important thing. Stamina is considered depending on aiming skills, you need to keep it as high as aiming on higher leagues. When i had 400/400/350 my stamina was on red after 1,5 sets (won) so i lost match to 150/150/170 opponent. With 400/400/400 im usually not losing single leg to him.
To unlock hipsters just set all rooms restricted, so some customers wont get any room and award 0 stars. You need 10 or 15 0-star ratings to unlock them.
Developments, currently my nanobuilders produce 6% of my income, its below average (11%), but 4 other modules produce less... Stuff become more or less effective as game progress, I always buy even most useless upgrades when cost become like 1 min income.
I think its not about taking proper provinces, more important is to master battle tactics, use proper units against enemy and never attack, just defend and kill units easily. In hard - 8.25 yr (first game on hard, third at all). I buy just 3 new units, first hypaspists, then silver shield guard (they are absolutely great against northern provinces with lots of cavalry and last companion cavalry - they can win most battles alone... you can consider buying archers - they work really well against infantry, but its one more kind of unit to upgrade.
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