Forging trade links with other civs...!?

[DrJambo]

Does setting up a trade network follow the rules that the manual suggests or does it seems totally random?!

Basically, i have found the setting up of trade routes with other civs to be fairly illogical...?!

First and foremost the capitals are supposed to be linked... whether this is by a harbour to harbour link with roads then linking the harbours to their respective capitals or by a direct road link from capital to capital.

From a past game, it appears that the AI can use another civ's harbour to complete the trade link with another civ as long as they are connected to it. I was under the impression that a civ had to have its own harbour?!

In my current game i have plenty of harbours all road linked to my capital and i am linked with a trade route to GERMANY on a different continent. Now Germany has no harbours but has BErlin located on the coast, so how do i have a link?! Pray tell...

Additionally, England on the same continent as Germany, has a harbour linked to it's own capital and yet i cannot forge a link with them?! This seems to be completely the wrong way around.

I also have a trade link with Rome on the same continent, although no road network links my capital to theirs and their harbours do not link with their capital Rome?! Pray tell how this works...!?

Would any wisened experts on the ins and outs of trade in civ3 please enlighten me how the can trade/can't trade thing all works? To me, it doesn't seem like it is working like it should be... I have also already shown in another thread that naval blockade doesn't work as intended.

Looks like there are some errors in there somewhere...

Thanks for any help in advance.

DOC

 

[DrJambo]

Here's the saved game to highlight what a shambles trading networks are...

Can someone explain why i am able to trade with the Romans and Germans but not the English?

Bet ya can't

 

[Shaitan]

Get new maps from those AI civs. Whatever is covered by the fog of war won't be updated on your world view. They could very well have new roads and harbors but your 'outdated' map doesn't show it.

 

[mark1030]

I think you can use other civ's road/harbor networks if you're at peace with them. Make a war with the middleman and see if you still can trade through them.

 

[Spawnbob]

it would seem fair to use other nations ports during peacetime like in real life but maybe there would be a cost associated with it in some way. Or maybe the cost is the fact that you cant safguard it's permanent use i.e. due to a potential war

 

[Daaraa]

Just think of the Vatican. It is surrounded by Italy. As long as say...France is at peace with italy, then France can trade with the Vatican. The French merchants just stop off at the Vatican on thier way home. There isn't even an airport. They must have the ability to "trade" with other nations.
There is also a country surrounded by South Africa. I don't recall the name of it but it must be able to trade elsewhere as long as they are on good terms with south africa.
As long as you are at peace with the middleman then you can trade. I've had this in civ3

 

[Mr Spice]

Speaking of using other civ´s territory for trading: Has anyone else but me noticed that the AI is able to use your road network for trade even when you are at war? Is it really supposed to be that way?

 

[rangers85]

As long as they aren't in a war with you, I think they can still use your road system for trade. Since they're still in friendly status with you.

 

[Mr Spice]

I know that they can use other civ´s roads for trade in peacetime, including mine. That´s intended and ok. But AI civs can also use my roads while at war with me. This is probably not intended, since I can´t use their roads while at war with them.

Or am I missing something?