question about merchants

[ash874]

never really bothered with them before so im a little new in this matter
i noticed that merchants that belong to the AI and have as much points as my merchants are making say 200-300 from a resource while i make about 40 from the same resource.
and we have the same amount of "points"

any thoughts on that?

actually i have some other questions:

2) is trade represented by the caravans on the roads?
if so than do rebel/enemy armies cut this trade off?

3) is there a point in building land trade building (like markets) on an island city?

4) if i have 2 provinces that are not connected (enemy province between) should i build markets still?

thanks in advance

[Landtuber]

Each faction has certain resources that they have more value attached to, so certain factions will make more from having a 5 point merchant on silk that another. The other thing you have to factor is in distance to your capital. The farther away the resource is from your capital, the more it is worth.

2) Generally speaking, the more ships/caravans you see on roads or trade routes, the more trade that is present. Pirates on your trade routes or brigands on your roads do reduce trade.

3) Yes, markets still increase the overall trade of island cities, its not actually based on what land routes they have connections to. However, it is generally more profitable to build port facilities first.

4) Yes, they will still increase your trade, but less so than they were connected.

[ash874]

thanks

[Snelhest]

I think the value of a trade resource is calculated based on the distance of the nearest node of said resource from your capital. Try moving your capital and you'll notice a difference in income from the mechants.

[Souka]

I think the value of a trade resource is calculated based on the distance of the nearest node of said resource from your capital. Try moving your capital and you'll notice a difference in income from the mechants.

You sir are correct!

If you take Byzantine for example they will only make a couple of denari from silk while Norway or any other faction with their capital far away from nearest silk resource will make tons of denari with similiar skill.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

9. Merchants - Minimal extra effort on your part can net you between say $4,000 to $10,000+ per turn just from your merchants. If that dozen’t sound worthwhile to you go ahead and skip this section……

Kay since your still here let’s get started….

1. Become a reload prince - Leveling up your merchants is going to require winning acquisition battles. If your gonna be a purist and not reload, getting your merchants leveled up is going to be rough.
2. Select your merchant center and only recruit merchants from there. This will ensure you get the Merchant guild and that you get the Merchant guild Headquarters. {gives you more merchants and makes your merchant highly skilled. Plus more trade stuffs for that settlement.}
3. Check the board and see where the money’s at. Each faction has a different set of favorite resources.
4. Build the Market place line of building in your “Merchant center” for better quality merchants.

Here's a quality guide to MTWII Merchants: "The glory of Merchants" by Landtuber Merchant Guide

Stainless Steel Standards also has a section on resources...http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=329518

[Sir Walter]

CO&E, but that's for 6.1... RR/RC has CO&E incorporated. (This is the Capitalist traits, yeah?)