Global Trade Empire

[Blindbohemian]

Could someone please explain to me the inner workings of the mechanics dealing with trade companies and protectorates?

As I understand it, trade power from light ships (as opposed to provincial trade power) doesn't contribute to the 51% a trade company needs to grant a bonus merchant. Okay, that kind of makes sense. What I want to know is: does the trade power received from a protectorate contribute to that magic 51%, or should I avoid creating protectorates in trade zones where I intend to also create a trading company?

Thanks.

 

[balmung60]

Could someone please explain to me the inner workings of the mechanics dealing with trade companies and protectorates?

As I understand it, trade power from light ships (as opposed to provincial trade power) doesn't contribute to the 51% a trade company needs to grant a bonus merchant. Okay, that kind of makes sense. What I want to know is: does the trade power received from a protectorate contribute to that magic 51%, or should I avoid creating protectorates in trade zones where I intend to also create a trading company?

Thanks.

Only provincial trade power counts. So the provinces in your trade company need to produce 51% of all trade power generated by provinces in that trade company charter. Light ships don't matter, protectorates count the same as any other non-TC province (that is to say, against your TC), and merchants present don't matter.

 

[Blindbohemian]

Thanks.

So realistically, you need rather a lot of provinces to achieve that 51%, yes? And does that mean having protectorates and trading companies in the same trade zone is bad idea?

Also, can you explain the meaning of 'TC'?

 

[oblio-]

TC = trade company.

I don't think you need that many provinces if you build a bit of trade buildings and if you get high mercantilism.

 

[Blindbohemian]

I see, thanks.

So do you think that it would be more beneficial to create a huge TC encompassing the whole trade zone for max trade power, or to create a TC small enough to only get the required 51% and then create protectorates who benefit from the goods produced TC bonus, thus increasing trade value?

 

[oblio-]

It depends if you want that extra merchant more or the actual trade value increase itself. Keep in mind that an extra merchant can collect in another rich node or steer trade increasing your trade power in your home node.

You have to juggle around a bit.

 

[balmung60]

Thanks.

So realistically, you need rather a lot of provinces to achieve that 51%, yes? And does that mean having protectorates and trading companies in the same trade zone is bad idea?

Also, can you explain the meaning of 'TC'?

Since you get bonus trade power, you don't really need that many, especially if you take estuaries and centers of trade, and even moreso if you're a merchant republic and can make trading posts. Combine with high mercantilism and a bunch of trade buildings, and you can get the bonus with remarkably few provinces compared to how many are in the zone.

And having protectorates in the zone is no worse than having non-trade company provinces belonging to you or a non-protectorate nation.