Nothing nubish about it, : A.) Gets rid of occupation of Rome which allows me to gain papal influence again. 2.) Tuscan ideas are good but Italian ideas are better suited for a large empire / more rounded IMO. 3.)It's a better flag which is more suitable for the later game. 4.) Easy transition to monarchy which allowed me to pick up noble ideas and take up absolute monarchy.
Traditions:
Tuscany -10% Development cost +1 Yearly papal influence
Italy +20% Global trade power +50% Better relations over time
Italy traditions are more useful especially if your empire is growing rapidly (helps drop AE penalty and no development investing late game)
Idea 1:
Tuscany: -5% Technology cost -5% Idea cost
Italy: -10% Stability cost modifier
Not much to say here, i had completed most ideas and was well ahead on tech, although arguably Tuscany has the stronger idea here
Idea 2:
Tuscany: -20% Mercenary cost
Italy: +15% Infantry combat ability
No debate, infantry ability is superior in every way especially as my economy was so fucking solid.
Idea 3:
Tuscany: -1 Interest per annum
Italy:-15% Galley cost +20% Galley combat ability
Again my economy invalidated the need for loans and this ensured my dominance of Mediterranean seas.
Idea 4:
Tuscany:+1 Yearly prestige
Italy:+33% National manpower modifier
No brainer, i get all my presige from fighting bundle of stickss i don't need the drip feed.
Idea 5:
Tuscany:+15% National trade income modifier
Italy:+15% National tax modifier
Tuscany has the favour here as trade by far was the greatest part of my empire, however i had plenty of trade bonuses and tax is more stable when you are at war.
Idea 6:
Tuscany:+10% Production efficiency
Italy:+1 Yearly prestige
Obvious favour again for Tuscany ideas as production is more useful than prestige feed unless your a pussy.
Idea 7:
Tuscany: +25% National manpower modifier
Italy:-25% Core-creation cost
Tuscany has the edge here but invalidated by idea 4 IMO, and core reduction cost is super useful for late game expansion.
Ambition:
Tuscany: +5% Discipline
Italy:+20% Fort Defense
Tuscany ambition has a slight edge but not a large one as 5% isn't particularly significant, it would have been more useful to me however as my forts were almost never besieged.
For me it's a 5:4 splint in favour of Italy ideas and add to that the new flag, monarchy and free prestige / autonomy decrease it made sense at the stage in the game i'd reached.
Tl;dr: Ur nub!