The trade skill in Bannerlord was and in my absolute favorite skill to use at the start of a run. Roleplaying as a caravaneer that travels around the world exchanging goods for a profit is, purely from a gameplay perspective, satisfying. I’d pretend to be a wily merchant, getting his start with properties and goods before hiring a group of ne’er do wells to oust my competition and begin my run for emperor of the world.
The difference between my relationship before War Sails and now, after its release, is that I actually enjoy leveling the skill after an hour of gameplay. The changes brought to Bannerlord through War Sails were all covertly made over a long period of time, and they have proven to pretty much be universally beloved; but the changes made to the trade skill are hands down the best in the game’s history.
Increased Margins, Increased XP, Increased Sources of XP
It’s really that simple. First, Taleworlds (Bannerlord devs) increased the profit margins of goods around the world. Rich towns with high prosperity ratings are generally going to be willing to pay high amounts of coin for good that the villages around them cannot produce. Inversely, poorer towns are going to be willing to sell off goods that they have in abundance at lower prices to stave off their more desperate affliction. This has always been true, but after War Sails, what is considered low or high pricing has been exaggerated for a greater opportunity for profit, which increase XP gain naturally.
Second, they increased XP gain flat-like. That is to say, 10 gold worth of profit from caravanning is now worth more than it used to be. Combine this increased flat XP with the increased profit margins, and the two work together to really reward those moments where the player-character strikes a great deal. Previously, getting to 125 trade was a pain in the ass. And now, not only is 125 as smooth of an experience as 125 one-handed, which flows like water, but getting to 300 isn’t a practice in diffident self-loathing.
Third, they increased the sources of XP. As of right now, the best tool for specific details on trade’s functionality is the FextraLife page, and it’s basically empty, so knowing specifics is a little difficult without some personal experimentation. What’s known for sure, though, is that owning a workshop now provides the player with passive trade XP. What that means this skill is leveled in the background while you do other things, which means my OSRS addicted brain is absolutely jumping for joy every day my velvet weavery is in the green. Passive XP = fun, fun, fun. 125 trading? You can sleep your way to it.
AND, once you get 125 trading, you also begin gaining renown for every day either your caravans or your workshops are profiting. Free gold? Free XP? Free renown? It’s a passive player’s paradise, and I am absolutely burning my free time Petyr Baylish-ing Calradia.
GLHF,
–E
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