Merchants ships

[Syagrius]

If I have more than one merchant in a same sea zone, does the effect is cumulative? Or is it one merchant for one sea zone?

Thanks

[Russian Guard]

Unless it's changed recently, there is no gain in putting multiple merchants in a single sea-zone, in fact you lose income doing so.

Best option is one per sea-zone.

[Syagrius]

Okay thanks. I have another question concerning merchants. The manual says merchants provide revenues when placed in a "sea zone under your control". Does it mean you can place them in any sea zone without enemy fleets? (exemple a spanish merchant off the southern coast of France) Or do they mean a sea zone adjacent to your national territory?

[jimwinsor]

Actually sea zones are not "controlled" per se, so that sentence is kinda misleading as written.  In fact you can move your merchant to any sea sone, but you should try to avoid those with enemy waships, for obvious reasons.