Trade...how?

**uberf1end** · 12-03-2004, 19:18

I've read a few guides about trading and they seem to suggest that all you need are some ships, ports and trading posts..Is it really as simple as that? Do I just build them and they work for themselves? The manual is suitably vague...How do I go about 'linking my ships to friendly ports?

Any help much appreciated, I have a war with the French to contend with so I can't give it my full concentration.

**Boris of Bohemia** · 12-03-2004, 19:46

It's as simple as that, but if you're at war their ships will block the trade route. Press v and look at the sea zones. Green zones are friendly and hostile zones are red.

**Pericles** · 12-03-2004, 19:47

Originally Posted by uberf1end

I've read a few guides about trading and they seem to suggest that all you need are some ships, ports and trading posts..Is it really as simple as that? Do I just build them and they work for themselves? The manual is suitably vague...How do I go about 'linking my ships to friendly ports?

Any help much appreciated, I have a war with the French to contend with so I can't give it my full concentration.

What country are you playing as?

Basically, the buildings/units you list are correct. To trade you need to make sure that you have at least one ship in every sea zone linking your port(s) to the other port(s). The more ports you link with, the higher the trade income.

You should note that even a single enemy ship placed in one the linking sea zones will stop the trade between those linked ports. Thus a war with another maritime power could hamper you financially. So you should also build farm/mine improvements.

**derF** · 12-03-2004, 22:33

Yes the manual is vague.

You seem to have all the right things.

1. Port (in one of your provinces)
2. Boat (or boats leading to every sea from your province to a trading province)
3. Trading Post
4. Peace with trading province.
5. No enemy ships.

**uberf1end** · 12-04-2004, 19:23

Cheers guys. I am England.

It was the ship in every section of sea between me and the trading port that I was missing.

**Pericles** · 12-04-2004, 23:55

Originally Posted by uberf1end

Cheers guys. I am England.

It was the ship in every section of sea between me and the trading port that I was missing.

England, eh?

Heheh

A maritime war can kill you financially.

Best to also build farm and mines too.

BTW, Sweden is a rich province to grab (hint, hint)

Have fun!

**derF** · 12-05-2004, 14:35

Originally Posted by Pericles

A maritime war can kill you financially.

This is very true. Although very rewarding, boats arent cheap and war can disrupt trade heavily.

**TonyJ** · 12-05-2004, 14:43

You could try to have at least two ships in each sea sector for when the inevitable war comes and then later try to have several fleets of several ships in each sea sector - sounds hard, I know but if you dedicate a couple of places to ship building they'll spit them out in no time. Try and get up the tech tree as well so you can start building tougher ships like cogs quickly.

If you can get a good link to the major middle eastern ports like Antioch and then also to Venice, you're trade will be soaring in no time. Even better - try to grab Antioch via a crusade or something.

Oh and one last thing - watch out for the Spanish and keep a decent fleet or fleets at Gibraltar