So I reached a point in my current game where I can generate more espionage points with my slider than research. This happens because jails + intelligence agencies will give you +100% espionage, while you can't exceed 100% with research in most cities until you build laboratories (except your oxford city).
Therefore, I'd run representation at low or no science on a tech nobody else is researching, put the espionage slider up, and then use spies to steal cutting edge techs from rivals.
So I stole electricity several turns after somebody researched it. I was a little late because stealing biology from the other side of the world was a priority. This caused me to have a teach lead on everybody, but I noticed as I checked out his cities before I stole the tech that he was aggressively building broadway with his bureaucracy-boosted, high-production capital. My capital is also running bureaucracy, but was for producing military units.
So I unleashed my spies against his unfortunately security bureau protected city. I used 3 spies just trying to get one fortified to -50% cost. All were caught by counterintel agents while sitting there. I then used another boatload of spies (3) to destroy production of broadway when he had one turn to go with no stationary spy bonus. 2 of those spies failed, 66% odds of success, 3rd did it. I had a city that was building broadway, but was about 14turns away.
So I thought I had succeeded in allowing myself to build broadway first. 12 turns later he completes broadway anyway. I was baffled at how he did it so fast (this is on marathon mode). Then I noticed he was running universal suffrage.
At least I made it expensive for him, though it was certainly expensive for myself as well. Thankfully he was willing to trade the musicals. I'll invade him later.
Therefore, I'd run representation at low or no science on a tech nobody else is researching, put the espionage slider up, and then use spies to steal cutting edge techs from rivals.
So I stole electricity several turns after somebody researched it. I was a little late because stealing biology from the other side of the world was a priority. This caused me to have a teach lead on everybody, but I noticed as I checked out his cities before I stole the tech that he was aggressively building broadway with his bureaucracy-boosted, high-production capital. My capital is also running bureaucracy, but was for producing military units.
So I unleashed my spies against his unfortunately security bureau protected city. I used 3 spies just trying to get one fortified to -50% cost. All were caught by counterintel agents while sitting there. I then used another boatload of spies (3) to destroy production of broadway when he had one turn to go with no stationary spy bonus. 2 of those spies failed, 66% odds of success, 3rd did it. I had a city that was building broadway, but was about 14turns away.
So I thought I had succeeded in allowing myself to build broadway first. 12 turns later he completes broadway anyway. I was baffled at how he did it so fast (this is on marathon mode). Then I noticed he was running universal suffrage.
At least I made it expensive for him, though it was certainly expensive for myself as well. Thankfully he was willing to trade the musicals. I'll invade him later.
