Why AI has +5 Espionage against me in very early game?

[gavenkoa]

Shaka & Pacal put +5 espionage on me in first 30T. I thought +4 is the limit. How is this possible? They don't hane unique buildings, helping with that...

I checked worldbuilder, also nothing suspecious. Results are shown in Espionage Advisor. I 'm using BULL official .dll.

 

[soundjata]

I was ready to answer the topic title by "Because AI is Shaka" but in fact you answered by yourself !

Spoiler Long answer here, under the responsibility of Lord Croissant :

 

[sampsa]

-slider.

 

[elmurcis]

Espionage slider is the answer and willingness to match "your" spending is other part (some AI will not care about it at all - can easily get to "investigate cities" level without any extra emphasize, while some will adjust to your spending trying to "keep you" away - spend 1, they spend 1, spend 4, they spend 4 etc.)

 

[gavenkoa]

That simple... tnx!

I put 100% into single AI to match research path with complimentary techs. Duplicating techs don't give trades... Pleased AIs made trades more predictable. And you have full control over vassals, so espionage is useless then.

 

[ArchGhost]

Doesn't apply here, but the AIs also have a "EP catchup" routine where they will run up to 20% slider if they have significantly less EP than rivals. In observer matches you will actually slow the world tech pace if you give yourself lots of EPs to watch their cities etc. as they will be locked at 20% EP slider.