“ | Used to trade with Docks of other civilizations to exchange resources for gold. The Merchant Ship is faster and has more hit points than the Trade Boat. | ” |
—In-game description in the Definitive Edition |
The Merchant Ship is a trade vessel in Age of Empires available in the Bronze Age. It is the upgrade of the Trade Boat.
Gameplay[]
The upgrade requires 200 food, 75 wood, and increases the hit points by 80 and the movement speed from 2.0 to 2.5.
Because Merchant Ships move more quickly than Trade Boats, they increase the average gold earned per minute; however, they do not carry more gold per trip. Their improved durability also allows them to survive longer on more dangerous missions, e.g. routes leading past enemy towers.
Return of Rome[]
They can trade between the player and any other player's Docks, generating gold on each trip upon returning to the player's Dock.
Before Return of Rome[]
The Merchant Ship allows players to trade by gaining gold at another player's Dock in exchange for any of the other three resources. Note that the traded resources are lost, and not tributed to the other player.
Civilization bonuses[]
- Greeks: Merchant Ships have +20% speed.
- Macedonians: Merchant Ships have +2 Line of Sight and are four times more resistant to conversion.
- Minoans: Merchant Ships cost -25%/-30% in the Bronze/Iron Age.
- Palmyrans: Merchant Ships provide 20% more gold per trip.
- Yamato: Merchant Ships have +20%/+25% hit points in the Bronze/Iron Age.
Team bonuses[]
- Palmyrans: Researching technologies that benefit Merchant Ships are 30% faster.
Changelog[]
Age of Empires[]
- Merchant Ships have 250 hit points and cost 100 wood.
- Minoans: Merchant Ships cost -30%.
- Palmyrans: Merchant Ships provide twice as much gold per trip.
- Yamato: Merchant Ships have +30% hit points.
Definitive Edition[]
- Merchant Ships have 200 hit points.
- Yamato: Upon release, Merchant Ships have +25% hit points. With update 38862, they have +20% hit points.
Return of Rome[]
- Merchant Ships now do not require goods and resources to generate gold.
- Merchant Ships cost 75 wood, 60 gold.
- Palmyrans: Merchant Ships provide 20% more gold per trip.
- Palmyrans (team bonus): Technologies benefiting Merchant Ships are researched 30% faster.
- Minoans: With update 99311, Merchant Ships cost -25%/-30% in the Bronze/Iron Age.
- Yamato: With update 99311, Merchant Ships have +20%/+25% hit points in the Bronze/Iron Age.
History[]
“ | As civilization spread around the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and China Sea, larger trading ships came into use to carry bulk cargoes such as olive oil from Greece, cedar wood from Lebanon, grain from Egypt, and rice from China. Typical ancient Merchant Ships had keels and were built of planks, but did not have interior framing. They carried a single mast for a mainsail and were steered with a large paddle. Their broad beam allowed for cargoes far beyond those of dugout canoes. Recent underwater discoveries of ancient merchant ships indicate they had good sailing qualities and required only a small crew. | ” |
—the Age of Empires manual |
Gallery[]
Units in Age of Empires | |
---|---|
Civilian | Villager · Trade Cart |
Other | Priest · Slinger · Artifact |
Civilian ship | Fishing Boat · Fishing Ship Trade Boat · Merchant Ship |
Infantry | Clubman · Axeman Short Swordsman · Broad Swordsman · Long Swordsmen · Legionary Hoplite · Phalangite · Centurion |
Archer | Bowman Improved Bowman · Composite Bowman Chariot Archer Horse Archer · Heavy Horse Archer Elephant Archer |
Cavalry | Scout Chariot · Scythe Chariot Cavalry · Heavy Cavalry · Cataphract War Elephant · Armored Elephant Camel Rider |
Siege | Stone Thrower · Catapult · Heavy Catapult Ballista · Helepolis |
War Ship | Scout Ship · War Galley · Trireme Catapult Trireme · Juggernaut Fire Galley Light Transport · Heavy Transport |
Scenario Editor-only units | |
Chieftain · Donkey · Explorer · General · High Priest · Horse · Mercenary (removed) · Penguin · Pharaoh · Raft · War Chest |