Trade Income

Will faster freighters provide more trade income?
7,032 views 12 replies
Reply #1 Top
No. Speed on the frieghters will only get to the planet faster. After that, the speed is reduced to one, always.
Reply #2 Top
What about weapons? Always curious about that.
Reply #3 Top
If you make a freighter with weapons, it will attempt to defend itself if it is attacked while on its route. Though if you go that path you'll also want to build it on a combat hull with some defenses as well.
Reply #4 Top
do you have to pay maintenence on freighters traversing their routes?
Reply #5 Top
That's a good question. Would like to know the answer to that before I start arming my freighters. Never thought of putting a trade module on a battleship, I didn't realize that would transfer over to the mini-freighter. What happens if you put a trade module on a powerful ship, and then tried to create a trade route with a defended planet? Would your "freighter" destroy everything in orbit and then attempt to trade goods?
Reply #6 Top
Yes, these are great questions. As I'm just starting out in a new game, the answers give a nice edge.

Can I fleet freighters with fighters? I recall seeing stuff on escorts long ago but was just learning how to play.
Reply #7 Top
I don't think you can. It could be possible but never gave it much thought. I alwayse had enough influence to vote yes for not attacking trade ships.
Reply #8 Top
....just built a trade module on an economic star base witin range of my only two planets. I see no increase in any of the economic/trade numbers.

What am I missing?
Reply #9 Top
Are you missing a freighter in the starbase's zone of influence?
Reply #10 Top


Are you missing a freighter in the starbase's zone of influence?


The planets have trade routes leading to other planets. Does the effect have to wait until a freighter enters the zone of influence?

Reply #11 Top
Yes, the freighters have to be in the zone.

That is why many players use many econ bases strung along the trade routes - to keep the ships always inside an area of influence.
And the effects stack, so you can take advantage of multiple bases in a single sector.
Reply #12 Top
Also be sure to create all your freighters on a single planet...this makes it alot easier to setup the econ bases.