Does anyone know of hand how many espionage points you need to steal technology from another civ?

Usually around 25,000 to 40,000. You can check on the espionage screen.

Usually around 25,000 to 40,000. You can check on the espionage screen.

Thanks! :goodjob:

[Not in a place where I can get this info otherwise. Apologies for the trivia]

Varies wildly, is my impression. Few hundred early on, tens of thousands later. Points spent vs their points spent, the presence of spy-buildings in cities, and stationary spies would all play a role in the number I'd think.

Varies wildly, is my impression. Few hundred early on, tens of thousands later. Points spent vs their points spent, the presence of spy-buildings in cities, and stationary spies would all play a role in the number I'd think.


Yup. Building the Great Wall, popping an early Great Spy, and using him to infiltrate an opponent very early will give you enough points (6000 EP on Epic speed) to steal several techs from them in the early stages. 6000 EP in the late game won't get you very far at all.

I usually pass on the great wall (barbs don't scare me on the diffs I play; noble FTW!) but I may have to try it to experiment with the great spy option... haven't seen a great spy yet and I'd like to try it...

You have to get Alphabet in order to be able to train a regular Spy unit so that you can actually go steal the techs, but if you beeline it chances are you can use the spies to steal most of the techs you skipped in the beelining, saving yourself from having to trade to get them.

I stole Mass Media for under 5000 on Prince. It varies greatly depending on:
1) The cost of the Tech;
2) The distance between your spy and home;
3) The ratio of your espionage points to your rival's (you want to have more than them. . . a lot more);
4) how long your spy has been sitting still (10% discount/turn; max 50%).