Great merchants need no open borders

[Aldor]

I somehow didn't realize this, as it isn't documented anywhere (at least I think so): a great merchant can enter the lands of civs witout you having open borders with them! So they make great scouts

Why had I not noticed this before? Guess because I generally join merchants as super specialists in my cities...now I may use their other service before doing so

 

[Bobbalouie]

They can be attacked however, so be careful. Found this out by accident

 

[floydmcw]

Necroing this thread after almost 15 years. This happened in my current game; Zulu merchant in my lands though we didn't have OB. (You'll be surprised to hear Shaka is annoyed with me.)

Always something new to learn in this game!

 

[6K Man]

I'm pretty sure you can also build shrines with Great Prophets or rush wonders with Great Engineers, in AI cities. Been a while since I did either, though.