Stealing Technology

Hey I'm wondering what people's take is on espionage and how that elates to stealing technology?

The main questions and my take are:
- Is espionage worth it? And at what point in the game?
- I Always seem to do better having advanced espionage on all opponents so I normally start early with some civs and then pick up others later, moving the bar about 1/2 way then back to none or almost none once I reach advanced.

- Anyone know about how to steal technology more often?
- I can't figure out any advantage past just getting to advanced, anyone else?

thanks much,
4,562 views 6 replies
Reply #1 Top
I start spying once I have found all 9 races on a gigantic and it is not a drain on my economy. i think it is worth it. It may keep you out of a war and will allow you to target your invasions if you are running short on transports or are looking to take a planet with a TG or Wonder on it.

I click up the spy bar 1 notch and let it run its cource until advanced. once I have advanced I switch it back to zero.

No idea how to steal more tech.
No advantage that I have seen.
Reply #2 Top
the true is...

I think, it is all depend when is civ you stealing has acquire their technology. If they research newer item faster, you will get their technology as they go by. I have once acquire same civ technology in less than 4 term (4 weeks), so basically they finish research something new, I am guessing, while they get their new technology, randomly they will provide you a technology you don't have for the moment, however I am not 100% sure, maybe it is pure randomness has to be decide by random generator of the computer when your esp reach advanced?
Reply #3 Top
I click up the spy bar 1 notch and let it run its cource until advanced. once I have advanced I switch it back to zero.


Interesting, In my early games I would wait until I could afford it and then would push the bar all the way to the right for a civ or two then when it hits advanced put it to zero and go onto the next civ. After playing with it in recent games this is clearly the incorrect way to do it.

Has anyone explored the correct number of clicks to use here? I was using 5 clicks recently, one seems like it would take forever. Maybe I will try this soon.
Reply #4 Top
Has anyone explored the correct number of clicks to use here? I was using 5 clicks recently, one seems like it would take forever. Maybe I will try this soon.

I use 2 clicks. I used to use one but was prompted that I needed to spend more to get to the highest level. 2 clicks is sufficient to get you to the highest level although it does take some time (no more than six months). Also it seems that the cost of a click is a percentage of your income, so the longer you wait the larger the absolute cost. With 2 clicks I can afford to do all my opponents at once and relatively early. Once the highest level is reached there's no benefit to spend more.
Reply #5 Top
I use 1 click as I tend to wait. I use the info on planets to determine which planets to target first to cripple the opponents ability to mount a counter attack. The possibility of stolen tech is just icing to me.
Reply #6 Top
One click. but by the time I do start my economy is so large that I am usually at advanced inside of 10 turns.