Spy Usage: Bribe Units

[civil_freak]

I am not only a big fan of Civ (especially Bts), I also love "Medieval: Total War". Totally different games, of course, but equal in some aspects. And I totally miss one important feature in Civ...

Civ is better in many many diplomatic aspects, except one: Bribing Units! A tried almost everything, but finally I gave up. This option is not a feature of Bts, isn't it? I was that sure, that this must be a feature, because "Bribing Units" is that obvious in such a feature-rich spy system (basically, I love "spying"). However, "bribing" would be my most favourite feature. The spy system lacks powerful mechanisms of harming a war opponent. "Bribing" would be an excellent method to weaken the enemy and infiltrate his territory.

Is there a mod for this feature? Unfortunatelly, this would be only a bad workaround, because I would love to have this feature in the "main" Civ (To avoid things like enemies who do not know anything about "bribing").

If somebody doesn't know what I mean exactly...

Bribing
Place Spy on a field with an enemy unit. Give some spy points and money and the unit will change its side. The unit will be available in the next city, next turn.

 

[MrCynical]

They had this back in Civ 2 - and it was grossly overpowered. It was possible to quite literally buy the world. As a result I don't miss it much, and am not surprised it was removed.

 

[Desert-Fox]

I've thought about these missions : "Party with enemy"(Not a good name, needs to be changed), effective against big stacks, 50% of them cannot move next turn, they are drunk.

Also demoralize, what is for single unit... it just causes 25% damage.

 

[civil_freak]

Yes, it would be powerful, of course. But there are ways and means to limit its power. First of all is the money... it could be very expensive, so you have to use your power pointetly. Second, you don't have unlimited spy points, a concept not available in Civ 2.

Many people criticize that they do not use spionage because they could spend things on more important things. Well, in war time "bribing" could be essential when attacking a much more powerful army.

In addition to that, I would also be happy with the idea of Desert-Fox. Really nice! You know, just ANY possibility to use spies in war...

Firaxis has spent lots of effort in this system (think of all buildings and spy points)... why not using its potential?

 

[CTH]

I would like to see that in the game. i think it could be pretty balanced if you only could bribe ALL units on a title, that would cost way to much to take over a stack of death and a few singel units would not make a big diffirent when you attack but in defence they could do just that. The bribe thing wouldn't win the game for you but perhaps help you from avoiding to lose it. And then you get the obvious question if units in cities could be bribed? And workers/settlers to?

 

[AlessioCerci]

You mentioned the total war series. In Rome bribing with diplomats was way way OP. If you had a decent economy you could just bribe all armies away from border citites. May be better in Medieval 2 but havent really played it. It would have to be very expensive in civ for it to work, and not be OP.

 

[7of9Fan]

I miss bribe as a feature of the diplomat in CIV II, I used to go for a strong economy and then bribe my way to victory. God how I miss it.

 

[KMadCandy]

in civ2 my favorite thing was to bribe barbs that were closer to an enemy city than my own. that way they cost support (and caused unhappiness by being away) from that magical city of NONE! i sent spies out on boats all the time popping huts on islands, hoping for hostile villagers .

 

[Monkeyfinger]

The main feature of the old spies that I miss is the ability to do heinous deeds to someone in the name of a third civ, to brew hatred between your target and the civ you're framing. This would be even more welcome in Civ4, with diplomacy meaning so much more.

 

[Lightwave]

I would like to be able to bribe barbarian units some times: either to leave you alone, coerce to attack a particular civ, or to actually join you as a mercenary unit.

As far as generic bribing, given the espionage system's limited points, it would be an interesting option.

 

[Roland Johansen]

Given that buying a unit costs 3 times it hammer cost and you essentially remove one of the enemy units and gain one yourself, its cost would have to be at least 6 times the hammer cost of the unit. Then an additional fee would be required because it is much more useful to gain a unit there where you need it (where you are fighting), then having to wait until it arrives there. There are also several discounts for spying which could make bribing overpowered. The basic cost of bribing should take those bonuses into account.

All in all, it would mean that bribing modern age units (the time where you're most likely to do this) would cost way over a thousand espionage points per unit. You could do it maybe once or a few times per turn if your whole economy was devoted to espionage, but it wouldn't be overpowered, I think.

 

[Quietman]

Ahhh...bribing in CIV 2, that does bring back memories!

Imagine when, to the horror of my enemies, I would bribe a NUKE, turn it around, and hammer the launching city...

*sits back in nostalgic nirvana*

personally, I'm glad it's no longer available as well, or if it was, I could live with uber high costs.

Quietman

 

[Supr49er]

I hated getting my units bribed, so I seldom bribed others. Although bribing a unit you didn't have the tech for yer might give you the tech!

I am intrigued by bribing/hiring barbarian units as mercenaries.

 

[civil_freak]

All in all, it would mean that bribing modern age units (the time where you're most likely to do this) would cost way over a thousand espionage points per unit. You could do it maybe once or a few times per turn if your whole economy was devoted to espionage, but it wouldn't be overpowered, I think.

That's exactly what I am thinking! It cannot be overpowered, because it is very expensive. Again: Spy Points, Gold, a SPY (many people don't even build them, because of the "uselessness"... people who love spies, please forgive me for this statement) for ONE (selected) enemy unit!
And hey, maybe you CAN balk some plans this evil way, if you meet all preconditions, but isn't that the reason we are playing Civ? Elation would show up...
Hah? If your enemy is doing that with you? Elation! Elation! WHAT A DIGNIFIED ENEMY!!!

I would love it.