The campaign returns to bankruptcy while French blockades reduce expected trade income to zero. Third rates are now available, but each costs roughly two thousand in game currency and therefore depends on restoring revenue first. The proposed sequence is to bring the fleet home, add one third rate, and use its qualitative advantage against the separate enemy squadrons. Blockades prevent naval investment, while naval investment is needed to break the blockades.
Notable Point · 2:12:15-2:13:24
Using restored trade to finance a decisive third rate
French blockades reduce trade revenue to zero, preventing construction of the third rate that could overmatch their separate squadrons.