100% Mercantile civilization tests

or how to play without building

Afternoon,

In my last couple of games, I've been trying a new (for me at least) route of civilization developpement:
- super heavy trader.
- no military ressources or researches.
- no ship building, only buying directly or from other factions.

I've started by making a custom race, specialized in trades and economy.
At the beginning, I go 90% research and money tiles with just one factory and one starport and 0% taxes for population. I buy 2 scouts (ususally playing huge or above maps), I then research trading as fast as possible then focus on economy and diplomacy boosts, all the while exploring with the scouts. Once ready, I start on freighters and send one per capital world if I can.
At that point, it just escalates and money starts pouring in. I basically never "build" stuff, I just buy. If I need a little army when some neighbours start going war-hungry, I buy ships from other races. I avoid trading out too many techs but buy a lot. If I get in good relations with a military faction, I tend to give military techs then buy off his products, even transports.
From what I could experience so far, it's entirely viable but I haven't been 100% content with my developpement yet so I haven't finished a game with this strat yet.

I haven't been able to buy off planets or starbases yet. I could buy an "attack" on a faction, even alliances though as said I haven't pushed it too far yet, will do so today if I have time.
What I'm wondering is if anyone here tried this strat and how it goes later in the game once you have only a couple factions left. Advices and comments are welcome

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I have done that several times with good results, I personally think trading get a bad rap.
One thing you might consider is starting as the Korx, or even the Terran as opposed to the custom. You can get your trade higher since they get natural bonuses AND points to add. If you are debating on where to put points ( trade ROUTES or just trade) go with trade. Keep with your mercantile political party.
One other fun thing to do if you are the Korx, is to pick a few "Good" and "neutral" decisions when you colonize planets and when you research xeno ethics, declare as neutral. This lets you purchase your ships faster, and unlocks the tech "neutral trading", which allows more trade routes.
I have completely mopped up some universes doing this. You get amazing cash flow and good relations with all the trade. What you have to account for, though, (at least when going for a military conquest), is you need to have excess freighters waiting at other planets so that when you declare war on a race you have trade with, you start new routes when they get cancelled. But regardless, it is a fun way to play a few games.

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Hmm up to which difficulty level did you guys try this strat? I found that it is plain impossible to buy most of the stuff from other civs on suicidal. -planets with low pop, worthless techs -yeah all those sure you can buy ( with LOADS of cash) -if you got all diplo tech , good and wonders built

Ships ,good tech? -forget it .Even if you are ally and have 150% diplo advantage.

Money is not a problem per se if you make it your only and one focus. Problem is that I found that money are pretty worthless if you cant buy anything with it.

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I play on challenging for now. It takes a LOT of diplomacy advantage or/and a lot of money to buy good ships but been doable so far. If all goes well, I make loads of cash per turn (1-3k) so it goes back up fast.
I'll try to finish and win a challenging game then go for higher settings. I don't like it when IA cheats though.

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