Should I move my capital?

[XELANAMYT]

I am playing as England, I have integrated Scotland and France and actually managed to become HRE emperor just recently (via taking 4 electors as vassals). The next thing I need to do is add myself to the HRE which I could do now as I have Antwerpen and then I can jump to London. However I was thinking of moving my capital (which I have never done before) to Antwerpen as it is a trade end node, but I'm not sure if it is worth it, especially with the changes made to trade steering in recent patches (which I also don't 100% know about).

Also I am slightly reluctant to move as England's capital should be in London! But that's just personal preference.

So what do people think about moving my capital in this situation?

 

[lordelenath]

I'd say it depends on your future plans. If you plan to expand further into Germany or the Baltic, I'd do it. If Antwerp will be the end of it and you want to go for the New World/Asia, it would probably still be better, but not that important.

 

[Great One]

You could also say that the Empire's capital should be on the Continent.

I say move it and see what happens. I often do this if I haven't tried a mechanic before I am pondering what to do. It is fun to find out what all the game has to offer!

 

[Red John]

I am playing as England, I have integrated Scotland and France and actually managed to become HRE emperor just recently (via taking 4 electors as vassals). The next thing I need to do is add myself to the HRE which I could do now as I have Antwerpen and then I can jump to London. However I was thinking of moving my capital (which I have never done before) to Antwerpen as it is a trade end node, but I'm not sure if it is worth it, especially with the changes made to trade steering in recent patches (which I also don't 100% know about).

Also I am slightly reluctant to move as England's capital should be in London! But that's just personal preference.

So what do people think about moving my capital in this situation?

Antwerp is an end node, unlike London. I'd say don't move it if all of your London trade is being kept in London, but move it if those pesky minors are siphoning everything.

 

[aitaituo]

If you've conquered most of the Antwerp node, sure. It'll allow you to collect there without a merchant and without a trade power penalty. If you've conquered all of the Antwerp trade node and have more merchants than you know what to do with, then there's not much reason to. If you're conquering your way through the Ottomans to India, definitely, as it'll give you a direct land connection to your capital for those overseas provinces, eliminating the penalty.

 

[Incompetent]

Moving your capital there is the optimal thing to do from a money-making perspective, assuming you are able to monopolise the node. (Even if you have an infinite supply of merchants, merchant + capital is better than just one or the other because you get a 10% income bonus.)

 

[beckermt]

I would say the level of trade power you can muster in Antwerpen vs London should be a huge consideration.

 

[XELANAMYT]

I should be able to monopolise the node once I have taken out the remains of Burgundy, the only other nations in the node are small (<4) provinces HRE members.

I don't plan to go to America, but I like the idea of spreading along North Africa to the Middle East so I can get into India, just not by colonies and sea this time!

Once I move my capital, is where should I place my 2 merchants (will get more soon)? I dominate London Node, 70% of Bordeaux, 70% of Antwerpen, 40% of North Sea and 20% of Genoa. I am thinking that all the trade from London would naturally come to Antwerpen? Then direct Bordeaux and North Sea to Antwerpen with my merchants, then see what happens when I get more merchants.

 

[Schmoekoeksklok]

I should be able to monopolise the node once I have taken out the remains of Burgundy, the only other nations in the node are small (<4) provinces HRE members.

I don't plan to go to America, but I like the idea of spreading along North Africa to the Middle East so I can get into India, just not by colonies and sea this time!

Once I move my capital, is where should I place my 2 merchants (will get more soon)? I dominate London Node, 70% of Bordeaux, 70% of Antwerpen, 40% of North Sea and 20% of Genoa. I am thinking that all the trade from London would naturally come to Antwerpen? Then direct Bordeaux and North Sea to Antwerpen with my merchants, then see what happens when I get more merchants.

Actually, the trade from Bordeaux would also automatically go to Antwerpen, either directly or via London. So you don't need a merchant there either.