I wanted to pick everyone's brains regarding some of the merchant cultures. Specifically, how do the merchant cultures that boost gold output compare to those that discount gold buyout.

It seems to me that combining the Phoenician 20% discount with the Carthaginian 50% discount is a strong set of bonuses against which any other set of bonuses must be compared. With a total of 70% off of gold purchases you have more than tripled your buying power.

Can the combination of, for instance, the Nubian bonus of 5 gold per access to luxury and strategic resources, combined with Aksumites 10% bonus per trade route bring comparable value to your game?

Point in favor of the latter is that merchant stars are achieved based on gold earned not based on how much your gold can buy. However, if the former can buy considerably more, then they may find it easier to earn the other stars of the era.

Additional point against the latter is that it is more dependent on your relationship with other players. You can be denied access to trade routes. You cannot be denied access to the discount.

I want the more circumstantially strong, diplomatically dependent, bonuses to hold their own in a multiplayer meta, but I'm not sure they will. I'm curious to hear your thoughts!