How do I build a new merchant fleet?

[DaemoneIsos]

I would like to build up my merchant capacity (in the tradeovals). But I don't see a comparable unit in any of the build screens. It does not appear to be the same as a transport squadron.

Can anyone please instruct me?

Many Thanks,

-D

[Finarfin]

There should be an option for building trading ships in the military build mode. I think.

[montgomeryjlion]

Yes,
Military Build under ships, at the end...

[Ebbingford]

You are limited to a certain number in your forcepool. At the start of the GC GB has her max number.
More should be buildable at a later date.

[DaemoneIsos]

Thanks, all.

For my first game, I turned up the units limit to 2x for sandboxing. That would imply I should have access to GB commercial units, then, right?

That does not appear to be the way it worked out.... No commercial units are in the military build options. That is the only place I see to build units of any kind.

Any other thoughts?

[rasnell]

As USA, I also see no option to build merchant fleets. Yet I get curious messages about two new merchant fleets in Delaware and there is no such thing there. I don't get it.

[willgamer]

As USA, I also see no option to build merchant fleets. Yet I get curious messages about two new merchant fleets in Delaware and there is no such thing there. I don't get it.

I believe those are added as replacements to your merchant fleet.

Check the F3 screen to verify.

[rasnell]

So it's not really new merchant fleets. Just replacements? Yet it says it happened in Delaware where there are no such fleets. An awful lot in this game that just is not understandable. And I own all of Aegod's games.

I love the developers, want to support them, but this game is a struggle to figure out. There is way too much that is undocumented and a lot of annoying interface issues that should have been figured out before release -- especially after we waited so long and excitedly.

[Bolki]

Dont forget to use the scrolling arrows of the list of vessels for construction (in military construction mode, is better with the unit naval filter).

There are more choices on the right ! Including commercial vessels ...

[montgomeryjlion]

I checked real fast and indeed Britain does not start with the option of new merchant fleets (Though not sure why you'd want them since you've already got the world pretty well covered.)
France can build them but I haven't bothered in this game as we have other ways of getting what we need

MJL

[rasnell]

Dont forget to use the scrolling arrows of the list of vessels for construction (in military construction mode, is better with the unit naval filter).

There are more choices on the right ! Including commercial vessels ...

Not true for USA in first year. No merchant ships are displayed.

[montgomeryjlion]

Um,
Just checked.
USA does definitely have a merchant ship available to build.
Easy access:
1. Go to military build
2. Click on the little anchor icon on the lower left
3. Use top right arrows to scroll all the way to the end of the list.

Using 1.01f

Mind you, it's very expensive and the US has tons of resources so not sure why you'd need to build it, but I admit I've only played first 3 months as the US, so not sure....

[Oxonian]

The problem is that the military build screen has a couple of places to the right side that look like empty slots for unit cards, which suggests (at least to me, and apparently to others) that you are currently displaying all the units you can build. Those apparently blank slots are misleading; always try scrolling to the right, because there's a good chance you have more potential units.

That's not a very clear description, a screenshot might help:


The area I have outlined in red, in the lower right-hand corner, is what I'm referring to. It seems like there's enough room for another unit card there, so since it's empty I assumed I could only build five types of squadrons. But in fact there are several more that I can reveal by pressing the right scroll button.

EDIT: This problem shows up in all unit categories, not just ships. It's even more misleading for land units, because the extra space is precisely the right size for one more unit card. I'm embarrassed to admit how long it took me to realize the problem.

[rasnell]

Seems you need to build them for prestige since the mission asks for you to be world's second largest merchant fleet.

[Stryder99]

The problem stems from the fact the US can build only 1 more merchant fleet. There is exactly 1 left in the pool, so the US cannot ever complete that Mission.

I have had the mission fail due to the fact I could not build any extra merchant fleets. They need to raise the number of merchant fleets in the US pool of units.

[PhilThib]

OK, will do a slight adjustment then

[ess1]

From the reply above re GB merchant fleets I take it that warships are also unavailable. Strange for GB...

[montgomeryjlion]

No, the British can definitely build warships...

[wosung]

The problem stems from the fact the US can build only 1 more merchant fleet. There is exactly 1 left in the pool, so the US cannot ever complete that Mission.

I have had the mission fail due to the fact I could not build any extra merchant fleets. They need to raise the number of merchant fleets in the US pool of units.

This. In 1.02f only 1 merchant fleet to be build as the USA. In 1851 received message, IIRC, Mission having 2nd largest merchant fleet cancelled because you only have XXX merchant points.

Questions:
-How do I get merchant ship replacements - besides building new merchant ship counters from the military building pool? Apparently there is no merchant ship element class on the replacement screen. Is this automated? IIRC, there was a message indicating this.

-What resources would this need?

-Any chance to get this "be king of naval commerce" mission back after I fubared it?!


Best regards & thank you for this great game!


Edit: Posed the same questions over there at the PI forum.

[PhilThib]

In the upcoming patch, the problem is solved, as we are adding new merchants ships for construction when the mission occurs

[Stryder99]

In the upcoming patch, the problem is solved, as we are adding new merchants ships for construction when the mission occurs

Phil, thanks a lot!

[ess1]

No, the British can definitely build warships...

Then how do I? No ships appear in the military units available.from Military-Sub menu.

[montgomeryjlion]

Click on military build, then click on the little anchor symbol to the left of the unit box.
Warships will appear.

[ess1]

Thanks for prompt and helpful reply. Will check this out tomorrow.