Trade - How Exactly?

**Lord Ovaat** · 10-05-2004, 19:10

HOWEVER what I think I'm seeing is you can only trade with cities that you know about by you visiting, or perhaps you buying the map information from another faction.

No disrespect intended, but I've sent my diplomats to different cities within the same faction after establishing trade, and have been bluntly told that a trade agreement already exists. I've also established trade and other agreements simply through their diplomats and army commanders, without ever visiting their cities. That part I really like, 'cause the AI has more brain cells to devote to pushing diplomats around the map.

On another trade point, an unfriendly army (enemy/rebels) doesn't seem to alter the situation much if they're sitting on your roads. The little wagons keep slipping beneath their feet. Anyone know for sure?

And as far as ports go, you need one to trade by sea, though it has no bearing on land-based trade. I don't know if the city you're trading with must also have a port, but that may be true. I've been unable to trade by sea with some factions, Britain for example, that I had agreements with, and the reason may be the existance of fishing villages and not ports. Must check that out.

**Ulstan** · 10-05-2004, 19:28

"HOWEVER what I think I'm seeing is you can only trade with cities that you know about by you visiting, or perhaps you buying the map information from another faction."

Fire up the Julii campaign. You should see a trade route going from your city allllll they way South to an unrevealed Carthage at the start of the game.

**Blodrast** · 10-05-2004, 19:54

sigh, the manual clearly states that you can trade with anybody, you don't NEED a trade agreement; however, a trade agreement yields you more money, so if and when you trade, it's in your advantage to have a trade agreement as well...

**ToranagaSama** · 10-06-2004, 13:15

The Manual freaking SUCKS!

P. 40, The Diplomacy Scroll - No mention of Trade Agreements nor their effect.
P. 30, The Trade Scroll and Province Resources - No mention of Trade Agreements nor their effect.

So, where did you find info in the Manual re Trade Agreements? Cause I don't find ANY information!!!!

**Lord Ovaat** · 10-06-2004, 19:10

Manual page 30, third paragraph under "The Trade Scroll and Province Resources" header states, " Any resources in the surrounding province WILL BE traded automatically, if only within the local settlement. Slaves and grain are moved between settlements automatically as required." That does indicate that trade initiates without ports, etc., ON SOME LEVEL. Sadly, they don't explain how upgrading, trade agreements, or anything else, such as, rebels/enemies on your route, might effect it. Granted, roads move goods more quickly, port upgrades give additional trade "fleets", but with whom? Anyone? How much does a trade agreement actually increase trade?

After a lot of observing and "messing with stuff" last night, it now seems obvious to me that enemies of any sort standing directly on a road will halt traffic. Next to it doesn't seem to count, which is why it can appear to be blocked, but actually isn't. But what the hey, it took a loooooong time to figure out all the quirks and tweaks with MTW. This should be no different. Knowing what I do know about MTW, however, I thought some of this stuff would be clearer than it is. I'm still having a hard time figuring our how much any given province is earning because of the "proportion" aspect of large city support for the State. My we have come a long way since 200 BC. Now the State must support the cities. LOL

**Blodrast** · 10-06-2004, 19:53

sorry, i don't have the manual with me. i'll look it up when i get home.

**ToranagaSama** · 10-07-2004, 15:14

How much does a trade agreement actually increase trade?

If it increases trade at all.

After a lot of observing and "messing with stuff" last night, it now seems obvious to me that enemies of any sort standing directly on a road will halt traffic. Next to it doesn't seem to count, which is why it can appear to be blocked, but actually isn't. But what the hey, it took a loooooong time to figure out all the quirks and tweaks with MTW. This should be no different. Knowing what I do know about MTW, however, I thought some of this stuff would be clearer than it is.

Yeah, but MTW wasn't nearly as complex with so many facets effecting Income, etc. Moving from STW to MTW, while and adjustment was quite easier than MTW to RTW, at least so far. To me the hardest part of STW to MTW, was adjusting to the *Battle* changes. For me, with RTW, its the opposite, at least, so far.

I'm still trying to figure it out, but I believe *Rebels* whether on the Road or not, if they're in the vacinity, produce *Devestation*. Can anyone confirm. You've got to KILL THEM ALL!

What I'm curious about, is if Units from *Neutral* factions have any effect, and, whether Units from *Allied* factions have any effect when in your Territtory.

What I'd really like is a Diplomatic option to tell my Roman allies that their services are no longer need and to please GO HOME!

Similarly, I'd like to be able Diplomatically instruct Neutral factions to get their Troops out of my Territory, and stay out!

Oh, and since I mentioned *Diplomacy*, let say again, The Manual---SUCKS!
Diplomacy, a major addition to the game and so little documentation. Guess these guys never read a Civilization manual....

I'm still having a hard time figuring our how much any given province is earning because of the "proportion" aspect of large city support for the State.

Join the Club!

Blodrast, I'd appreciate that reference, cause it isn't in *my* Manual. Where are you located? Might be similar to the last time, where the U.S. manual was different than the Euro manual.