Great Merchant change?

[synulia]

Maybe this has been covered already, if so I apologize, but given the huge focus on trade in Brave New World, should we expect an overhaul of how Great Merchants function? In their current state they don't seem like they'll mesh well with the international trade routes. The international or domestic trade routes in BNW will be automated, while Great Merchant trade missions will still need to be directed by hand. Could we see some sort of new consumable Great Merchant ability that temporarily boosts trade revenue, or would that fall under Golden Age bonuses? Should Great Merchants be overhauled?

 

[moysturfurmer]

I imagine they'll be left the same. Trade missions give you a bunch of gold at once. The trade route system does it over time. There's no issue of redundancy there.

 

[EEE_BOY]

Maybe they will change it so that spending a GM gives one extra land trade route or extra one sea route after Astronomy. This way everything else (tourism and religion) can get a ride, not just increase in gpt

 

[Stellarnight]

Maybe planting a Custom House gives you +25% more gold from trade routes (along with the current +8 gold)? (subsequent houses would give lower additive bonuses so as to highlight bureaucratic costs) Hence we can keep the lump sum trade mission right now giving the player the dilemma whether to go for short term lump sum gains or settle for a long term but larger gain overall route? Given the emphasis on trade routes and removal of gold from coasts/rivers, this would make great merchants more attractive i suppose?

 

[synulia]

Now I'm still curious. Does a persistent trade route with a city state increase your influence with them? I'd like to see the merchant "bomb" that gives you a bunch of influence right away done away with, it just seems a bit cheesy and unrealistic. I'd prefer to see gradual and sustainable ways to form relationships with city-states rather than what is essentially a one time bribe that pays for itself, and then some.

 

[TheMarshmallowBear]

The only thing that needs to be done is give Great Merchants the ability to to missions in other coutnries as well.