Spies -

[Codpiece]

Why is it so hard to infiltrate another civ with spies? About 4 out of 5 of the spies I try to plant are discovered straight away, and the other civ then usually declares war with me right off the bat. Succeeding in the missions themselves seems to be just as unlikely.

Are there certain conditions where spies are more likely to slip in undetected? Also, once they are in position, are there any improvements which boost their chances of success, other than choosing the more expensive "safely" option?

Does anyone use them successfully? The last couple of games I've played I just haven't bothered with them, but I'd like to know if anyone's ever got their money's worth from spies.

 

[sabo]

yes you can't keep trying to plant a spy on the same civ turn after turn, Once when I was a NEWBIE I tried the same civ TWICE in the same turn, (of course it failed) you have to wait 4 or 5 turns after a failed "plant spy" and it also helps if they aren't communist.

 

[Aggie]

Here is a great article about spies. It explain a lot and ends a lot of myths as well

 

[alamo]

It is really stupid to let the player try the spy again when it is guaranteed to fail.

A popup showing the chance of sucess would be nice, too.

IMHO the whole espionage thing is next to useless. Spending your gold on troops and research will get you farther most of the time.

 

[Aggie]

IMHO the whole espionage thing is next to useless. Spending your gold on troops and research will get you farther most of the time.

Well, I have used espionage countless times in Succession Games and Play By E-Mail. In fact it is so overpowered in PBEM that people almost see it as an exploit to get cheap techs by stealing. And the same goes for Deity and Sid level. It is cheaper to steal than to buy or research, especially in the industrial age and later! On Sid you may just as well try 5 steal attempts instead of researching Fission yourself!