Captured Spies

[steveg700]

Is there any value to a captured spy? Does it perhaps grant increased invisibility or bonuses to espionage against the captive's civ?

And why are the AI civ's so eager to get it back? Can they just make another, or does the captive still count against their limit of allotted spies?

Probably wouldn't have to ask if I ever actively used spies, but they're pretty much a defensive component for me.

 

[Haggbart]

AFAIK the value is it's added to their max number of spies, and it might also be leveled up making it more valuable. Also it saves the hammers of building a new one.

I don't think there is a bonus to holdning on to it. If I get fed up with sabotaged production I allways refuse to trade it back to them just because

 

[Sagax]

I just trade them back and abuse the heck out of the trade exploit. Sorry (not really)

 

[Balkans]

I keep them in jail. Trade them away only if it's something that i need. I don't take kindly traitors of my country.

 

[KrikkitTwo]

You should be able to "disavow" a captured spy (meaning it effectively dies, ie you can't get it back and is doesn't count against your limit)..possibly it gives some benefit to the captors in the process.

 

[Silverdawn]

In my current game, I didn't have any horses or iron after 5 cities, being attacked by Gorgo (who had both) and then Brazil. Most people didn't like me because in the follow up I attacked Gorgo after she captured a city from Brazil and had lots of units vulnerable to my crossbows. I caught a spy I believe from Brazil. They came to me with an offer of horses, iron and some money for the spy. I said yes and could upgrade my warriors to swordsman and start building some horseman in my city with an encampment. Was able to capture Gorgo's three cities from there.