Stealing Tech

[Baltimoretrader]

Just wondering what influences your ability to steal techs from other Civs?

I did it for the first time last night. I was able to get 3 techs in one turn, Steel (no pun intended) , Refining, and Mass Production from Persia. I'm guessing this isn't a common thing, otherwise you'd be better saving the gold and stealing tech once you get the Intelligence Agency.

At that point, they were winning the tech race, but I had more land and populations.

 

[Bamspeedy]

Really, only communism makes a difference (better spies than other governments). A recent study showed that spies were better than using the diplomat, but I'm guessing you are referring to using a spy.

On higher levels where it does cost you alot more to research techs, then it is easier to steal techs than to research them (if you are not worried about starting a war if you fail).