Trade Routes in FOTS

**rexof345** · April 06, 2012, 09:46 PM

Hi all,

I have read though some of the forums and haven't really found the answer I am looking for. I just started playing FOTS (I went straight from Empire) and I am curious about the trade routes between ports. In the other TW games when you owned a province with a port your home region was linked via sea trade route, but in my play through of FOTS when I capture an island or a province on the other side of the map it doesn't link with my capital region. So I am not sure if I am actually trading/exporting the goods being produced in those regions or what is going on. I guess my main question is do I continue to upgrade the ports in those regions or is that money better spent elsewhere. When I go to construct a port or upgrade it the game tells me it will increase export capacity by X amount but again I am not sure if its going anywhere. If anyone can shed some light on how this works I would be much appreciative.

**grumph** · April 07, 2012, 05:12 AM

ports on littlke islands can be converted to ports-millitary. trading has little use. if i have a trading rez on a island, it will still be exported. no, it doesnt link anymore.

**Brusilov** · April 07, 2012, 07:36 AM

I get the impression that the trade routes shown are only between your clan and the ones that they are trading with. Trade tends to just to go to your home port. Having stated that I've seen trade with other clans go to my other trading ports.

The strange thing is that you appear to be limited by the trading 'lanes' in your home port.

I've have seen a trading lane between two ports I've owned.

So, trade is a little messed up on FoTs....

**Alpedar** · April 07, 2012, 12:31 PM

Even trading ports on some far away little island are usefull. They provide wealth and growth. But they are more vulnerable than military ports/drydocks. So if safe area, trade ports, if contested - military.

**grumph** · April 09, 2012, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by Alpedar

Even trading ports on some far away little island are usefull. They provide wealth and growth. But they are more vulnerable than military ports/drydocks. So if safe area, trade ports, if contested - military.

but a tad useless for the trading part of it. also its not like those little islands are very rich, save for sado and the other island with gold, and both arent THAT wealty. omi and kii easly beat them.