 Merchant - 30 different
Rare Resources might randomly dot the map in each
game; though not every Resource shows up in every game. To use a Resource, send
a Merchant to collect it. You can send Merchants anywhere, even into enemy territory.
As long as they stay alive, you stay in control of the resource.
For example, having a Merchant trading in Sulphur means that your Wealth and Metal
incomes are both increased and that the cost of your gunpowder foot units is reduced.
Or, if one of your Merchants is perched atop a Titanium deposit, your Metal income
climbs impressively and your Tanks, Cruisers and Battleships each receive more armor.
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 Scholar -
Each City
can hold one University, and each University can hold seven Scholars. Each
Scholar you build is progressively more expensive than the last (they'll cost you
Wealth). But Scholars produce Knowledge, and Knowledge, ahem, can't be bought or
sold in the game.
Other Resources (Food, Timber, Metal, Oil, Wealth) can be traded at the Market after
the second Age and Commerce techs are under your belt. Knowledge starts out to be
as precious as the other Resources early in the game, and prices are low for Technology
and Unit upgrades. By the end of the game, though, you'll find yourself waiting
to upgrade key Technologies (and even build some Military Units) while your Scholars
toil away. As they say, publish or perish.
 IGN Units Showcase #5
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