Medieval II economy guide: merchants, trade routes and upkeep
Separate settlement trade from merchant earnings and the recurring costs of your armies.
Edition covered
The original 2006 Grand Campaign and standard PC rules. Publisher images come from the later Definitive Edition bundle. Separate Kingdoms campaigns and mods use different factions, maps and rules.
Fund armies with recurring income
Read the financial projection before starting construction. A healthy treasury can disappear when armies, mercenaries and several building projects all create expenses together.
| Tool | Use | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Roads | Trade and movement | Useful connections |
| Ports | Maritime trade | Open coastal routes |
| Markets | Settlement commerce | Available building tier |
| Merchant | Resource income | Occupy a trade resource |
| Diplomat | Trade agreements | Reach another faction |
Choose the correct income tool
Roads, ports and markets develop settlement commerce. Merchants earn separately by occupying resource locations; they do not replace trade buildings inside a city.
| Cost or risk | Inspect | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Army upkeep | Financial projection | Concentrate around actual objectives |
| Mercenaries | Unit upkeep | Hire for a defined need |
| Blocked port | Hostile fleet | Protect or reopen the route |
| Idle garrison | Free-upkeep slots | Use eligible militia where suitable |
Keep naval routes usable
A port can be valuable and vulnerable at the same time. Inspect nearby fleets before assuming a coastal upgrade will provide dependable income throughout a war.
Review garrisons after the front moves
Troops far behind the frontier can become an unnecessary expense. Cities offer free-upkeep slots for eligible militia; check the local slots and unit eligibility before relying on that benefit.
Troops far behind the frontier can become an unnecessary expense. Cities offer free-upkeep slots for eligible militia; check the local slots and unit eligibility before relying on that benefit.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Medieval II: Total War publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Original game manual | cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com |
| Feral game manual | www.feralinteractive.com |