Suddenly Bankrupt! and no idea why

**dne109** · December 12, 2009, 04:44 AM

HELP! (please

)

I am playing as GB and earning about 30k per turn in trade.

I have quite a big Army and Navy though, so my projected profit was about 11k when I clicked end turn.

As the AI completed it's moves I saw it move a lone sloop into my port at Bristol (I think it's Bristol)

When the AI finished all its moved I got a notification "Bankrupt". I had 0 in my purse, my trade routes were all listed as blockaded, and my projected income for the next turn was -13k.

I assumed this was because of the loan sloop (though quite how one sloop in just one of my 20 or so ports can block my entire trade i cant fathom)

I kicked the sloop out of the port with a regiment of Militia from London, and then sent it to the bottom of the sea with one of my fleets.

Then I checked the trade info panel panel expecting to see the routes no longer blockaded and my projected turn income to return to about 11k.

But, no, it is still at -13k and all my trade routes are still listed as blocked.

I've checked all the regions and cant find any other blockades or pirating of my trade routes

**daniu** · December 12, 2009, 06:09 AM

The sloop can blockade your whole trade because for some inexplicable reason, your whole trade is routed through one single port.
If it is driven out, it leaves the port damaged and useless. It needs to be repaired before you can get trade income through it again.

I suggest to always keep a militia unit in your trade ports so even if they're blockaded, they are not left behind damaged.

**I-the-gamer** · December 12, 2009, 10:41 AM

Yes, you should always keep a unit of Militia (or if you're cheap, a 12lbs Howitzer for only 150 upkeep) in important ports, that means Tradeports and ports that would allow your enemies to land and take one of your cities in one turn (meaning ALL ports in GB)

Also you should keep at least a few fifth rates at your trade ports so you can defend them from lone raiders like that. (A few fifth rates can kite larger ships all day and dismast them quickly, so unless your enemy sends a whole fleet you should be good)

**happycynic** · December 12, 2009, 05:51 PM

I'm so cheap that I often have my starting unit of Pikemen still guarding a port by 1800. Poor guys, they have to be the laughing stock of the army.

**dne109** · December 13, 2009, 07:08 AM

Thanks for your tips. I took this opportunity to drastically reduce my army and navy upkeep by disbanding/scuppering unnesessary units

Im now back fighting the good fight and making 40k profit a turn, with a much safer percentage coming from taxes!

**masterbaker** · December 13, 2009, 09:01 AM

There we go. Although remember that turning up your taxes is bad for your economic growth - even if you could raise an extra £10000 for 1 turn, you might lose £1000 per turn in growth. Only turn taxes up to the max when you need a boost of cash for new troops or something important.

**Hercules87** · December 13, 2009, 01:52 PM

I seem to be the only person who has the idea of putting indianman's in all my ports to avoid damage to ports. Their upkeep is only 50, much cheaper than militia.

**silverlooter** · December 21, 2009, 11:01 PM

but indianmen should be sent to trade regions my recommendation is make a howitzer

**NJGOAT** · December 22, 2009, 08:53 AM

I generally prefer to use militia as they can quickly be formed up and added to an army in case of emergency. The other options are all viable, I just happen to prefer militia for their utility. Whatever you use, you do need to use something as having your ports damaged is way worse than just having them blockaded. If you are a continental faction you also need to watch out for enemy rakes as they can sabotage your trade port and cut you off as well. For that reason I try to keep a rake in my main trade port for counter-espionage duties, especially as UP.

As for the taxes thing, I find the best method when playing a trade heavy faction like Britain is to set all taxes to low and base your military spending off the trade revenue. This allows you to build wealth and grow your population. If something catastrophic happens (like having all your trade cut off), you can easily bump up taxes to cover the lost income for a few turns while you get rid of whatever is cutting off your trade. Once the trade is back up lower the taxes back down to regain the lost wealth.

**Inhuman One** · December 22, 2009, 02:38 PM

As a Dutchman I often play as the Dutch, which means keeping the harbour of Rotterdam safe.

I always keep a fleet at the North Sea, at first a weak one, and later it does become a bit stronger. Depends on the risk that I expect. Usually I dont start wars, we were never such an agressive people, trade was always our first priority. Some third rates and a first rate is what I usually have here, along with a mixture of weaker ships, usually about half a stack.

**The Gallant Forty-Twa** · December 22, 2009, 02:55 PM

Another thing to look out for is shady ministers. You need to monitor their finances and make sure there's no irregularities. You know how they can be