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The Merchant lets you exchange one resource for another at set rates. This is handy when you have a surplus of one thing but are short on another. Below is an explanation of how the exchange works and what exchange rates are built into the game. All rates are taken directly from the game’s code.
Source of the data. The trade ratios and conditions are taken directly from the game engine (the War of Alliances universe). Trade cards can be found in the [](/knowledge/encyclopedia/trader) section of the encyclopedia.
How the exchange works
- We exchange one resource for another at a set exchange rate. Each exchange direction has its own base exchange rate—the number of units of one resource you’ll receive for one unit of the other.
- A commission is charged. When exchanging currency, a portion is lost to the commission (usually about 5–10%), so a round-trip exchange always results in a slight loss.
- Trading is limited to Galaxy 1. The planet you're trading with must be located in the first galaxy.
- You cannot trade if an enemy fleet is heading toward the planet. This prevents resources from being withdrawn right before an attack.
- The exchange rate is floating. The base rates listed below serve as a starting point. The actual exchange rate varies based on supply and demand, your rank, and your personal bonuses.
Basic Exchange Rates
For every 1 unit of the resource on the left, you receive approximately this much of the resource on the right (before commission):
| Let's change | We get | How much is 1 unit? |
|---|---|---|
| Metal | Crystal | 0.5 |
| Metal | Deuterium | 0.25 |
| Crystal | Metal | 2 |
| Crystal | Deuterium | 0.5 |
| Deuterium | Metal | 4 |
| Deuterium | Crystal | 2 |
| Dark Matter | Metal | 400 |
| Dark Matter | Crystal | 200 |
| Dark Matter | Deuterium | 100 |
| Antimatter | Dark Matter | 450 |
| Stellar Ore | Dark Matter | 9,000 |
| Stellar Ore | Antimatter | 2.1 |
| Antimatter | Fashion | 5 |
You can see the basic logic behind the three standard resources: Metal is the cheapest, Crystal is twice as expensive, and Deuterium is twice as expensive as Crystal.
How much can I exchange at a time?
The size of a single transaction depends on the level of the Spaceport building—the higher the level, the more you can exchange at a time. There is no hard cap on the number of units for common resources (Metal/Crystal/Deuterium), but there is a limit per transaction for rare resources (Dark Matter, Antimatter, Star Ore).
Fleet Acquirer
In addition to trading resources, the Merchant has a separate mode called "Fleet Buyer": a marketplace where you can buy and sell fleets. This is no longer a fixed exchange rate, but rather a trading platform featuring offers from players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a round-trip exchange result in less than the original amount? Because of the commission, a small portion of the resource is lost with each exchange.
Why is my exchange rate different from the one in the table? The table shows base values. The actual rate varies depending on demand, your rank, and bonuses.
Where can I exchange resources? Only in Galaxy 1, and only if no enemy fleet is heading toward the planet.
What factors influence the size of a single transaction? Spaceport level (larger lots) and resource type (rare resources have a cap per operation).
