Teach Me About Caravans

[Shycho]

Hi i never really used caravans in games i stupidly thought they were pretty much useless i usually used them for food shortages, i recently found out about them helping with wonders, also i have heard about trade routes how does this benefit, i know you get so mucg gold but thats it, and is there anything else they are useful for.

 

[ElephantU]

In addition to the gold, you get the same number of beakers added to your research box when you deliver a caravan or freight. The ongoing Trade Routes enhance your city research, which you can further multiply by building key wonders all in one city (the "Super Science City"): Colossus (extra trade arrows), Copernicus (double science), Shakespeare (to pacify the citizens for bigger growth), and Newtons (double city half of science again).

Some threads to read:

Early Landing Strategy Guide:
http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82209
(focuses on early growth and using caravans to get science)

Thoughts on Trade:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=407
(general thoughts on trade and caravans)

How to Maximize Trade Between Cities:
http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=90878
(focus on inter-city trade routes)

Calculating Caravan & Freight Delivery Payments:
http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64729
(exact formulas to keep in mind when deciding what to deliver and how far away)

How Supply & Demand Lists are Determined:
http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=67754
(helps in knowing when commodity supply&demand will change)

Phantom Roads and Railroads:
http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66560
(another trick in multiplying trade routes)

Review all that, give it a try in some games, and post specific questions back here.

 

[Prof. Garfield]

In addition, caravans are much more valuable in the more difficult levels, as the comp will then have larger cities.