Trade Routes Questions

from Stardock Forums
I am currently under the impression that the normal game start lets you have 2 trade routes after TRADE is researched.

However, I have read a strategy that said get 5 routes up and running right away after researching TRADE. Does this just mean keep researching the proper techs to give you extra trade routes or am I missing something about how trade works?
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Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Yes, you have a default of 2 trade routes possible at the start [3 with the Merchantile party, I believe]. Certain techs [Cultural Trade, I think is one] allow you an extra trade route at being researched. I don't think it's possible to get 5 trade routes running right after researching Trade, but whatever strategy this was likely meant "as soon as possible".
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
I have a newbie question about Trade Starbases:

1. Do they stack?
2. Do they cap at 50%?

I happen to have 2 starbases harvesting resources along a trade route, and fully upgraded one of them to 50% trade. Would it be a waste to also upgrade the other?
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
I believe they both work as long as they aren't in the same sector and the trade route goes through both sectors containing the starbases.

Dont forget to add speed bonuses to the star bases to ensure your freighters go that little bit faster.


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Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
I happen to have 2 starbases harvesting resources along a trade route, and fully upgraded one of them to 50% trade. Would it be a waste to also upgrade the other?
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I haven't done the cost calculation, but in terms of additional benefit, thy add, so you do get additional benefit.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
I believe they both work as long as they aren't in the same sector and the trade route goes through both sectors containing the starbases.Dont forget to add speed bonuses to the star bases to ensure your freighters go that little bit faster.
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Unless the system has changed since I last built a trade starbase, this advice is wrong. You can have loads of trade boosters in one sector and get massive trade all the time the mini-freighter is in that sector. You don't want to put speed bonuses on these bases, because then the mini-freighter will leave the sector faster. What can work is putting speed bonus bases in all the other sectors in the trade route. That way, the minis will spend a greater percentage of their time in the bonus sector.
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
Both bases are in the same sector as my trading planet, and the freighters spend almost all their time in it, as the trade parter's planet is at the near edge of an adjoining sector.

The trade enhancements seemed to stack, but they also seemed not to take effect until 1 turn after they were built.

I read a tip that said put speed-enhancers in unimproved sectors and leave the enhanced sectors slow. I have often wondered while driving on a major highway through a small town at 30 MPH whether the low speed limits were meant not only to bring a little speed trap graft to the local sheriff, but also to boost trade at local shops ...
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Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
I thought there was a payout once the freighter completed its round trip journey. This is the reason I use speed bonuses to hurry up the traders.

Its one of those things I have been told and never bothered confirming. :SURPRISED:

If this is not the case then perhaps I should change my tactics.