Dev Diary #5: Trade rework: trade expeditions and port dependency

As part of the wider set of systemic changes I’m working on for my mod Gravitas Historica I am tackling a gap in current modeling of trade and commerce: the importance of port network for efficient trading. I am currently finishing the core of the mechanical design and will take a break before continuing with it. In a nutshell: makes maritime presence linked to coastal locations. Fleet impact is reduced significantly unless within 3 sea tiles of your coast and a new fleet stance which multiplies the impact significantly is activated.

The Port Range map mode over the eastern Mediterranean The Port Range map mode: the waters Venice can patrol from its bases, from the Adriatic to Crete.

Tooltip: Maritime Presence in Coast of Cephalonia In the base game a fleet builds maritime presence wherever it sails, here a Venetian fleet off Cephalonia.

Tooltip for the Patrol the Sea Lanes unit ability Patrol the Sea Lanes: a new fleet stance that raises maritime presence by 250%, but only within range of our own ports.

Additionally, using the new expedition mechanic I’m working on a way to model the trade expeditions of this era. The Venetian mudas towards Alexandria, the Portuguese runs towards India, Castilians and the convoys, Dutch, British… The foundational pieces are there now, just need fleshing out.

The Expeditions tab: Spice Galleys to Alexandria Spice Galleys to Alexandria: a commander, a route with its stops, naval supplies, the risks at sea and the ships drawn from the navy.

Choosing the stops of the route on the map Choosing the stops: any friendly port on the map can be added to the route.

The hold and the cargo list of the expedition The hold: cargo for the voyage out and back, chosen by the margin between buying and selling price.

Some context on the issues I’m trying to solve: Are Venice’s overseas locations valuable? on r/EU5.