In Civilization 7, establishing trade routes with other nations is crucial for economic expansion. By doing so, you can access new resources that might be scarce within your own civilization, thus unlocking substantial benefits. However, before you can launch a trade route, there are essential steps to follow. Additionally, be aware that when you transition into a new era, your trade routes will “reset, ”which can be frustrating. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to set up a trade route in Civilization 7.
Training Merchants in Civilization 7
To initiate a trade route, the first step is to produce Merchants. These units are essential for establishing connections between your settlements. To unlock the ability to create Merchants, you need to advance through specific technology nodes in the tech tree.
In the Antiquity Era, it’s imperative to research the Code of Laws, which in turn requires prior research into Mysticism and Discipline. Upon completing these technologies, the Merchant unit will become available in your production tab across all towns, cities, and capitals. Simply produce one to gain your Merchant.
As you progress through different eras, you may notice that the ability to produce Merchants becomes temporarily restricted. This occurs because new technologies must be unlocked in the Civic tree—similar to how you unlocked the Code of Laws previously. For instance, during the Exploration Era, you’ll need to pursue the Economics Civic, while in the Modern Era, the Steam Engine from the tech tree is required.
It can certainly be tedious to repeatedly lose the capability to set up trade routes.
Creating a Trade Route in Civilization 7
Before activating your Merchant, it is crucial to foster a positive reputation with other leaders. You can assess your relationship status by observing the icons displayed in the upper-right corner of the screen. These icons indicate various relationship statuses: a skull or swords signify hostility, while a thumbs-up suggests a friendly relationship, and a heart indicates an alliance.
To establish a trade route, you only need a thumbs-up status with another leader. Once your Merchant is prepared, selecting it will prompt a user interface displaying “Possible Trade Routes.” Although players frequently express frustration with this UI, it’s necessary to navigate to the desired settlement and move your Merchant to that city.
Once your Merchant arrives at the selected city, look for the “Make Trade Route” command located in the lower-right corner of the interface. Selecting this action will successfully create your trade route. While initiating trade routes is relatively straightforward if you have access to a Merchant, bear in mind that there are limitations to how many routes you can establish.
It’s wise to prioritize building relationships with leaders who possess unique and beneficial resources, particularly those that could aid in achieving your victory conditions.
Expanding Trade Routes in Civilization 7
To expand your number of trade routes, signing a treaty known as “Improve Trade Relations” with a compatible leader is essential. This option becomes available only if your relationship with the leader is friendly, and the treaty’s duration is defined in the tooltip.
Please note that signing treaties requires Influence, with the Improve Trade Relations treaty costing 100 Influence. This can be a substantial cost, especially if you are trying to cultivate friendships with multiple leaders. However, if your focus is on just one or two leaders, you may find it feasible to allocate that Influence while keeping some in reserve for other pressing needs. For example, if your city is facing unrest, having leftover Influence can be crucial for hosting local festivals to boost Happiness and maintain stability.
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