Too easy espionage

from GalCiv2 Forums

Hi,

 

I'm a bit confused about the new espionage system, exactly the new race-wide espionage system. It seems to be very easy to spy. I spend a small amount of money for spies, and once I get a new one, I place it on a race. So, in a nearly short time I can reach a high level in espionage by some races, without any counter espionage from the targets. And I don't find any real advantage in using the old style spying: placing spies on the planets. And what can make a spy beyond aborting a building and collecting informations?

Thanks,

trigorin

5,694 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

The Intelligence Levels portion of espionage is foolproof now, yes.  Prior to the 2.0 patch you had to have spies on the planets to gain intel levels...a VERY costly endevor, just trust me on this, I'm a spy-nut.

Planetary (Active) spies however still have their use.  You cannot steal tech w/o a spy placed on a planet (via espionage, invasion tech steal is different than this).  Shutting down buildings such as farms or econ buildings are very useful to detroying an economy or pre-invasion (yeah, 1 planetary spy can kill BILLIONS of people in 1 week....POW).

I'm slightly confused on your last sentance though, can you try to re-word it?

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

My guess on the last question is "What else can a spy do besides disable a planetary improvement or help build an empire-wide intelligence level."

I'd be interested to see if anyone has anything to add to Loup's basic list of 1) Reduce a rival's income, 2) Reduce population (soften up for invasion).

I've sometimes hammered ship production on a rival's best manufacturing world when I was very flush with spies, but I've always suspected that the scoremonsters would call that an inefficient use of spies.

The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Cold War tactics do wonders, but not economically vs a fleet.  I've shut down the Dregin by cutting their purse-strings.  I hampered them so bad that I was getting spies quicker than them eventually and then had every one of their buildings shut down.  The other AI's then monky-stomped them into space dust when they couldn't make ships to replace those lost in battle.

And yeah...having 100 spies in you're arsenal is by NO means economical.  ~grins~

Yup, the only jobs for spies are as follows:

-Passive spy on an empire to gain intel levels

-Sit in the pool of spies in case an AI plants one on you and then nullify it

-Disable a building and at the same time allow the random number generator determine if you steal a tech

Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Ok, I understand all. Thanks your help and guesses. And sorry for mistakes in my english.

Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

        Actually, that sounds like alot of fun, particularly if you have managed to get a ton of credits, and you have tech trading disabled.  That might be a good way to acquire those environmental techs from the stingy Altarians.

        And I always save a few spies for invasion purposes to disable morale structures.  (or farms)

     

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

And sorry for mistakes in my english.
End of quote

Eh, np.  This is an international community afterall.

Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting Loupdinour, reply 6

And sorry for mistakes in my english.
Eh, np.  This is an international community afterall.
End of Loupdinour's quote

Also keep in mind that some native English speakers do a worse job posting in their language than you did in a foreign one. Both grammar and spelling seem to be going out of style here in the U.S.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Tis why I prefer to be known to speak 'American' instead of English.  :grin: