Being Trade Independent?

from GalCiv2 Forums
Is it in any way possible to develop a civilization such that it is completely trade-independent? It seems that the economic necessity of trade makes it an unavoidable necessity - and a rather awkward one in the late phase of a conquest game, which becomes usually a race against my own treasury, trying to eliminate the last race before the economic crash really starts to hurt. As an interesting hypothetical, is it possible to win a game without ever establishing trade contacts?
strategies
4,122 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I won't say I never make trade routes, but they are rarely a major source of income. Mainly I use them for maintaining relations - and when a war breaks those routes, it's almost never worth making them with someone else. I don't think I've seen a game where my trade income exceeded 15% of my tax income - and my tax revenue will generally run my empire with a huge surplus by itself.

Of course, this will vary wildly based on your preferred map size, difficulty, planet count, civ count, etc. But for a gigantic map, abundant all, it is very possible. Certainly possible up to crippling/masochistic difficulty, anyway.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hi!
Is it possible to win a game without ever establishing trade contacts?
End of quote

If you can survive without 1000-3000 BCs trade routes usually bring in, it is. The more habitable planet available, the easier it is. OFC the opposite is also true: with very few planets trade routes bring an important part of money. In my suicidal game with Korx that was the case: I had over a 1000 BC of trade income, and ~150 BC from taxes from my three planets.

BR, Iztok
DeskScapes - Bring your desktop background to life.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Most cases I don't develop trade routes, and there are games I even have tech trading off to fully isolate myself and others. It can be done, it just really makes you watch your purse-strings.