what are the advantages of having a higher level trading port? is it worth the cut down time? if that is the only bonus, it seems its worth it to avoid losing all your resources.
also i need cultural treaties, wine is expensive !
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The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on.-Ulysses S. Grant
The higher the level your trading port is, the quicker you can load goods and the more goods someone can pillage from you. I wouldn't build past level 4 unless you have an extremely strong military. Even then I'm not too sure I would do it. Level 4 gives you almost 100 goods per minute load time and if you are to be pillaged, knocking it down to level 1 and having to rebuild it won't hurt you too much.
I have seen a lot of people say level 2, but for me it just isn't fast enough. Every level over 1 will increase your chance of becoming a target almost exponentially. It really just depends on how much and how often you transport goods and how much time you are willing to spend moving them. My advice is play it safe and stick with a low level port.
Hmm I would say I have a decently strong army and I do not raise my port above 3. Granted I stir up more trouble than most, but I am not really worried about someone breaking through my defenses. More of a peace of mind thing I suppose. Besides I don't do that much shipping. But for you I would not go above 3, 4 if you are feeling risky or have the army 100k+ to back it up.
Things that make you a target Low military, 4 or higher level port, lots of gold stock and then pissing someone off.
I have not raised my port level above level 1, no hurry to load stuff the way I see it. Like Red, I create a lot of trouble and also maintain a strong defense. But when someone is looking to get revenge on me, they won't get much even if they hit when I am engaged in heavy battles elsewhere. Just a matter of preference. I also can not monitor my villages during the day, so they are on thier own while I am at work.
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All,
Great set of posts. I just downgraded my main port from seven to four. When I go pillaging, if I see a level three port or above, it becomes a possibility.
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Capt_Kirk
This is Admiral Kirk. We tried it once your way, Khan, are you game for a rematch? Khan, I'm laughing at the "superior intellect."
I have a follow up question: I am attacking the town of 'This is Sparta'. I am attacking the town out of principle...what a stupid name. My attack is inbound and I see that he has lowered his port to level 1. My Bothan spies tell me that he still has quite a bit of gold. How does pillaging work with gold/port levels?
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Capt_Kirk
This is Admiral Kirk. We tried it once your way, Khan, are you game for a rematch? Khan, I'm laughing at the "superior intellect."
The 
and I do not raise my port above 3. Granted I stir up more trouble than most, but I am not really worried about someone breaking through my defenses. More of a peace of mind thing I suppose. Besides I don't do that much shipping. But for you I would not go above 3, 4 if you are feeling risky or have the army 100k+ to back it up. 
