The Trading Routes calculator is a simplified trade-route model used to calculate the profitability of trade routes. For more complex trade networks, it may be necessary to create multiple separate trade routes, because a larger trading empire is often made up of several connected trade flows based on different TT volumes, ships, or market segments.

Trading Route

In the Trading Routes calculator, you first define the trade route volume in TT. By default, this is set to 1 TT. This volume remains the same throughout the entire trade route. At each intermediate destination, all goods from the previous region are sold and the same TT volume of local goods is purchased. At the final destination, the remaining goods are sold without another purchase.

If your trade route splits into different branches and consists of multiple market segments in different regions, you should create multiple separate trade routes.

If the market segments are equal in every region, one trade route is enough:

• Gilden Sea Region (20 TT) -> North Thefna (20 TT) -> Zuharic Steppe (20 TT) -> Gilden Sea Region (20 TT)

If the market segments are different, multiple trade routes are needed:

• Gilden Sea Region (8 TT of 20 TT) -> North Thefna (8 TT) -> Gilden Sea Region (8 TT of 20 TT)
• Gilden Sea Region (12 TT of 20 TT) -> Zuharic Steppe (12 TT) -> Gilden Sea Region (12 TT of 20 TT)

Although a trade route will usually begin and end in the same region, the calculator can also be used to calculate the profitability of a one-way trade route.

The calculator uses standard regional prices. Transit goods, city-specific prices and market access restrictions are outside this simplified model. Market capacity, market shares and ship capacity are not checked automatically.

The result covers the entire route entered, not necessarily one three-month Domain Turn. Match any recurring costs to the duration of your voyage.

Income

The Income table calculates the direct profitability of the trade route based on TT price differences between regions.

Trade Route Income is the total value of goods sold minus all goods purchased, including the first purchase and purchases at intermediate destinations. These purchase costs are already deducted and should not be entered again in Expenses.

Starting GD Needed is the cost of the first goods purchased in the Start region. More funding may be needed later. Negative route cash balances are shown in red and indicate a cash shortfall; the calculator continues to show the theoretical result. Additional funding is not profit and should not be entered as Income.

You can also add custom rows to the Income table, because a voyage may generate additional sources of income, such as:

• passenger ticket sales
• trade bonuses
• other voyage-related earnings

Expenses

The Expenses table is used to add costs other than the goods purchases already included in Trade Route Income. These costs depend on the merchant’s choices, opportunities, and operating conditions. Corruption, taxes and other voyage costs are not calculated automatically.

Examples include:

• merchant license fees
• port customs duties
• crew wages
• ship maintenance costs
• other travel-related expenses

Profit / Loss

The Profit / Loss table calculates the overall result of the trade route based on Total Income and Total Expenses. This shows whether the route is profitable or loss-making. Custom income is added and Expenses are deducted in the Profit / Loss table. The cash balances at individual route destinations show only goods purchases and sales.