How far to travel?

[Bloodstone]

First GP generated is a Great Merchant. Early in the game, 1000 BC, and a lot of undiscovered land, but my scout is uncovering a HUGE chunk of land on my own continent with a choice of 4 or 5 Civs.

I'm looking to run the Trade Mission for the huge Gold Potential to be able to run Defecit research and start focusing on some GP Farm and Military City improvements. My main question is how far do you go? The first Civ I rang across was Gilgamesh and I could hit that for around 1600, but there are two or three others that are 15 to 20 tiles away, some of it with roads, some not. Is it worth traveling the extra mileage? Is my GP difference going to make a big difference? I've never done the Trade Mission before so this is new to me. Thanks

 

[JulesDogg]

Recently learned that a trade mission to the city with the Temple of Artemis pays a dividend.

 

[drlake]

With trade missions, the biggest payoff comes from the city with the Temple of Artemis in it. After that, it is the city that is your most valuable trade route, probably from your capital. However, you are in a different situation because you won't have trade routes to many of those cities this early in the game. In general, the biggest farthest city you can get to is probably worth the most.

 

[kossin]

Shift+move to+hover over trade mission to decide which is the best city.

Large cities, harbors, ToA as mentioned, etc. all contribute.

 

[oldskald]

And it might be teaching my grandma to suck eggs, but remember to guard your GM from barbs on his journey...

 

[Bloodstone]

Recently learned that a trade mission to the city with the Temple of Artemis pays a dividend.

Arghhhhhhhh........I'm almost done with Artemis in another city! Oh well, I'll just keep chugging along and look for the biggest city that's near my current location. Really just wasn't sure if it was worth waiting another 7 to 15 turns to travel the distance if it wasn't going to make a REALLY big difference.

And it might be teaching my grandma to suck eggs, but remember to guard your GM from barbs on his journey...

Didn't even think of that. Most of the territory is scouted out in front of me, and belongs to known Civ's but Barb's could still find me I guess. Well I have a Galley sitting not to far away, I can throw a defender into it and run around the coast line to start covering their back end. Thanks for the tip, probably saved my bacon there!