Trade Tariffs...

[I-KP]

...what do they do in TLF?  I've read the tooltip for them several times but it still makes no sense.  (Maybe I sneezed out a chunk of my brain the other day...)

[Hartmann]

Don't be afraid. I sneezed too.

I think it basically allows to buy a planet (à la Spore) after a while, but I still don't understand if it applies to the people doing the tariff or the other.
And frankly, if it doesn't negatively affect the RCI, it's not that interesting. BLOCKADE WHEN?

[x4000]

It was a confusing explanation, I've rewritten it for the next version.  Is this better?

"COMPUTER REPORT: Normally when you have a trade route between two planets, each side gains an attitude boost toward the other in the Commerce Partner category.  Imposing a tariff from this planet to the other planet means that the other planet won't gain those attitude improvements toward this planet, but instead this planet gains a monthly boost to its Economic RCI value.   Trade tariffs are one-way and universal from one planet to another (aka they are not per-trade route).  So unless the other end also establishes a tariff against this end, the attitude bonus keeps happening over here, AND we get points on the economy scale.  If a planet changes hands, then all tariffs are wiped out on that planet."

[Hartmann]

It was a confusing explanation, I've rewritten it for the next version.  Is this better?

"COMPUTER REPORT: Normally when you have a trade route between two planets, each side gains an attitude boost toward the other in the Commerce Partner category.  Imposing a tariff from this planet to the other planet means that the other planet won't gain those attitude improvements toward this planet, but instead this planet gains a monthly boost to its Economic RCI value.   Trade tariffs are one-way and universal from one planet to another (aka they are not per-trade route).  So unless the other end also establishes a tariff against this end, the attitude bonus keeps happening over here, AND we get points on the economy scale.  If a planet changes hands, then all tariffs are wiped out on that planet."

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA okay. So it's interesting then (but expensive).
But is it possible to play with the tariffs to cause an economical collapse of the targeted planet?

[x4000]

No, it doesn't cost them anything.

[Hartmann]

No, it doesn't cost them anything.

But it costs the hydra something.


Right?
Or did I read it wrong?

[x4000]

It just converts attitude gains on the far planet (to the near planet) to economy on the near planet.  Though establishing the tariff in the first place does cost you something, sure.

[Hartmann]

It just converts attitude gains on the far planet (to the near planet) to economy on the near planet.  Though establishing the tariff in the first place does cost you something, sure.

Interesting. Gotta try that, after winning by slaughtering the opposition, I'd like to win by having the shiniest federation.

[I-KP]

That does make the mechanic a little clearer, yes. 

Just to confirm my understanding: by imposing a Trade Tariff this planet will be giving up the usual Trade positive attitude modifier toward this planet from the trade partner in exchange for a local RCI economic boost.

Right, okay.  That makes more sense. 

[x4000]

Yep, exactly.

[lifehole]

How much RCI bonus? (Also I still don't know all the effects of RCI in terms of %'s  )

[GC13]

*blinks*

When was this renamed? My ticket requesting this name change is still open, and I never noticed it was fixed. 

[dmraneo]

So, if I understand this correctly, you will not want to use tariffs at the beginning, since the attitude stuff is important.
But, once races like each other enough, ie they are in a federation, you want tariffs on both sides, because lots of tariffs make economies grow faster. This seems pretty weird.

[I-KP]

So, if I understand this correctly, you will not want to use tariffs at the beginning, since the attitude stuff is important.
But, once races like each other enough, ie they are in a federation, you want tariffs on both sides, because lots of tariffs make economies grow faster. This seems pretty weird.

I can get behind the concept quite merrily; however, unfortunately it's another example of the game's opacity whereby it substitutes meaningful numbers with generic terms.  ('a monthly bonus' means absolutely nothing to me but '+0.1% Economy / month' means everything.)  Good grand strat games shouldn't (and don't) do that.