Trade Routes and Trading Posts
Trade Routes are vital arteries of commerce and resource generation in Age of Empires III. Mastering their use and defense is crucial for economic superiority and securing a steady flow of resources, experience, and even unique units. These routes are typically marked on the map as distinct paths, often connecting various Native American settlements or other strategic points.
Establishing Trading Posts
To tap into the wealth of a Trade Route, you must construct a Trading Post on one of its designated nodes. These nodes are usually marked by a small flag or a specific architectural footprint on the map.
- Initial Construction: Your Explorer unit is capable of building the first Trading Post. Simply select your Explorer, right-click on an available Trade Route node, and they will begin construction. This is a quick process and doesn't require additional resources.
- Villager Construction: Once you've aged up to the Colonial Age (Age II), your Villagers can also construct Trading Posts. This is generally slower than an Explorer's build speed but allows you to expand your trade network more rapidly once your Explorer is busy elsewhere.
- Resource Cost: Building a Trading Post costs 200 Wood. This is a significant early-game investment, so prioritize locations that offer immediate benefits or are strategically important.
Types of Trade Route Benefits
Once a Trading Post is established, it will begin generating resources or other benefits over time. The type of benefit depends on the specific node and your chosen upgrade path.
- Resource Generation: This is the most common benefit. Trading Posts can generate a steady stream of Coin, Food, or Wood. The rate of generation increases with each Age advancement and through specific Home City shipments.
- Experience Points (XP): Some Trade Route nodes, particularly those connected to Native American settlements, will generate a continuous flow of XP. This is invaluable for quickly unlocking Home City shipments and gaining an edge.
- Native American Alliance: Building a Trading Post on a Native American settlement node allows you to form an alliance with that tribe. This grants access to unique Native American units and technologies, which can be purchased or researched at the Trading Post. For example, allying with the Aztecs might grant you access to powerful Jaguar Warriors or Skull Knights.
Upgrading Your Trade Route
The effectiveness of your Trade Routes can be significantly enhanced through upgrades. These upgrades are typically accessed through your Home City shipments or by aging up.
- Caravan Upgrades: These shipments increase the resource generation rate of your Trading Posts. Look for cards like "Advanced Trading Post" or "Trade Route Efficiency" in your Home City deck.
- Train Upgrades: Once you reach the Industrial Age (Age III), you can upgrade your Trade Route to a railway. This dramatically increases resource generation and often unlocks additional benefits. This upgrade is usually a Home City shipment or a technology available at your Town Center.
- Native American Technologies: If you've allied with a Native American tribe, researching their unique technologies at the Trading Post can provide powerful economic or military bonuses. For instance, the Inca might offer technologies that boost farm production or unit health.
Strategic Placement and Defense
The placement and defense of your Trading Posts are paramount to their success.
- Early Game Priority: In the Discovery Age (Age I), prioritize building Trading Posts on nodes that offer XP or a crucial resource you are lacking. Rapid XP gain allows for faster Home City shipments, which can snowball your economy.
- Chokepoints: Look for Trade Routes that pass through narrow chokepoints or are easily defensible. Placing a Trading Post in such a location makes it harder for your opponent to raid and disrupt your trade.
- Forward Bases: Trading Posts can act as forward bases, extending your line of sight and providing a strategic presence in contested areas.
- Defense: Trading Posts are vulnerable to attack. Consider building defensive structures like Outposts or Blockhouses near critical Trading Posts, especially those deep within enemy territory or on highly contested routes. Garrisoning units within a Trading Post also provides a defensive bonus.
- Raiding: Conversely, actively raiding your opponent's Trade Routes is an effective way to cripple their economy. Send fast cavalry units like Hussars or Cossacks to destroy their Trading Posts and disrupt their resource flow.
Advanced Strategies
- Trade Monopoly: In team games, coordinating with allies to control an entire Trade Route can provide an overwhelming economic advantage.
- Resource Switching: Some civilizations have unique abilities or Home City cards that allow them to switch the type of resource generated by their Trading Posts, adapting to immediate needs.
- Scouting with Trade Units: The trade units (caravans or trains) that travel along the route provide continuous line of sight along their path, which can be useful for scouting enemy movements.
By understanding and effectively utilizing Trade Routes and Trading Posts, you can establish a robust economy, gain valuable alliances, and ultimately pave your way to victory in Age of Empires III.