Trading fleets

[RexCroatorum]

Is there going to be a real trade ship (something like port royal) or only a icons on the map, and how colud I be able to crush someone trade fleet??

[Ishmael]

ok, bear in mind this is complete supposition on my part, and isnt actually supported by any evidence.
I dont think that they would have actual 'trading ship' 3D units. They may have icons on the map, or they may just have the route. I think that you could then assign 'convoys' (either to the icon or route) to defend it. how this would be implemented, as you wouldnt have enough ships to defend all your fleets, i dont know. Then, if the enemy raids a convoy a battle would break out, but if it were undefended the attackers could probably just destroy/steal most of it.
Just my thoughts-remember, this could be (and in fact probably is ) totally wrong.

[Martok]

Is there going to be a real trade ship (something like port royal) or only a icons on the map, and how colud I be able to crush someone trade fleet??

I get the impression it will work similar to how Ishmael has described it. Also, I do know that CA has said you can order your ships to directly attack enemy trade routes, which indicates to me that trade ships will be represented by icons, not actual vessels/fleets.

[Fisherking]

So what you seem to be saying is that by straddling the path of the little trade fleets as they run across the map, and by some means selecting the option of attacking trade route, then you sort of blockade them far far from port. Or perhaps a part of them…giving you that share of the trade they talked about in some of the articles?

[Knight of the Rose]

In one of the videos (forgot which one) you can see a fleet is selected. Then the sea lights up in two different colors. Maybe one representing a 'zone of control' and the other max travel distance? In any case, I highly doubt that you can engage trade ships with your navies.

/KotR

[Martok]

So what you seem to be saying is that by straddling the path of the little trade fleets as they run across the map, and by some means selecting the option of attacking trade route, then you sort of blockade them far far from port. Or perhaps a part of them…giving you that share of the trade they talked about in some of the articles?

Yes.

[Oaty]

The same way rebels block a trade route on the road it seems

[Sir Beane]

I would like to see a situation where the player is forced to use his ships to protect a paticularly valuable cargo from piracy or privateering. Say Spain defending her gold fleet as it sails from South America.

This would result in a battle where you not only have to defeat the opponent but you also have to protect the convoy. This sort of objective has never been seen before in a Total War game. It would be possible to annhilate the enemy but still lose your gold ships, thus losing in the long run even though you won in the short term. An interesting tactical challenge that adds a little variety into the game.

Of course the reverse would also be true. Maybe use a fleet of small but fast ships to sail through the enemy line of battle and sink a treasure ship or two? Or maybe use a heavily crewed boarding ship to steal some gold then flee the battle before the sluggish First rates can react?

To me it sounds like fun.

[Freakk]

Something they could do, if the trade convoy has naval ships protecting it your forces would go to battle. But if they dont, sucks to be you