Trade circle

Trade Circles are groups of about six nations, generally on the same sphere, whom usually trade a variety of resources to make overall trade combinations that give great boosts to an individual nation.

Types of Trade Circles
Trade Circles usually try to produce long-term trades of very beneficial combinations of resources. Generally, trade circles are named by the amount of bonus resources they give. For instance, if a trade circle gave Microchips, Steel, and Scholars, then it would probably be called a 3BR or 3 Bonus Resource Trade Circle. However, there are tons of types of trade circles, all offering varying resources and trying different combination of resources to try to provide the greatest benefit for the individual member nations of each trade circle.

Reasons for Trade Circles
Trade Circles generally form to try to provide individual member nations with great benefits, usually economical. They generally form on the same sphere to take advantage of the same sphere-trading bonus. Trade circles are generally formed by nations looking to find solid and long lasting, yet highly beneficial trades, or by the Financial or Internal Affairs Departments of various alliances. Trade Circles can commonly hold members from multiple alliances, though some prefer to have all members of their trade circle from the same alliance.

Trade Swapping
In order to attempt to maximize the benefits of trades, some alliances and groups have tried to implement something called “Trade Swapping”. Trade Swapping is rotating series of Trade Circles to try to benefit each individual member nation the most for each circumstance they have a trade for.

Difficulties
Many Nations and Players generally consider finding trades a difficult or annoying task, and some even call finding a solid trade circle the “low point of the game”. Some also have difficulties keeping trade partners active.