Using Spies and Generals.

[HalfLotus]

My experiences with these units has been mixed.

I use Decoys offensively, to divert the enemy and flank him, and defensively, to hold off a larger force. Forced March to send troops over a long distance. I have not used ambush alot yet. Entrench is useful defensively and can only be used in your territory.

Spies and special forces are sweet. I sent some behind the front line to scout. I saw a group of cavalry and sure enough one them as grey. I gave the order to snipe the General and it worked!. I ran out safely. The same could not be said for the previous 4 men I had sent in. Ive used bribe in battle to take out ranged and siege units. Sabotage works well on towers and anti air installations.

How does detect spies work? Do I click one of my buildings cities? And it will detect all spies in the city?

[Ctulu]

U have to use counterinteligence, scouts/spies see enemy scouts/spies (by default I think), or perhaps you have to use a skill (the one with the dagger) from them!

[Inverse Icarus]

scouts and spies can be set on counter intelligence (the dagger you speak of), where they actively go out and hunt down enemy spies.

bring scouts with yuor armies to expose the wenches before they bribe you.

in one game i bribed all my enemies artillery (7 cannons) before he even began sieging.

[Kuciwalker]

I like to use scouts to disable my enemy's air defenses, just by putting him there. I haven't had the AI kill them often.

[kainzero]

generals are a must because they give +2 armor to those around them.

it adds up in the long run.

[Bridger]

Originally posted by Uber KruX
scouts and spies can be set on counter intelligence (the dagger you speak of), where they actively go out and hunt down enemy spies.

I don't think this is true, when i click on "counter-inteligence" it just gives me the dagar to click on a building to rid it of somebody. I still have to do it manually.

[KenR7A]

scouts and spies can be set on counter intelligence (the dagger you speak of), where they actively go out and hunt down enemy spies.

whoa, no way. how do you do that? I know about auto explore, but auto spy hunting?

[MosesPresley]

Hi all. I have just bought the game after having played the demo for awhile. I love this game, but I am frustrated by the spies. How do you get your spy to kill another spy? The manual has absolutely nothing to say on this.

Before someone says click on the enemy spy with a dagger, I have already tried that and nothing happened.

Does anyone know the answer?

[Carch]

Spies don't kill other spies, you have to use explorer/commando/spec-ops units to spot 'em and regular attacks to air 'em out.

The counter intelligence option will remove a plant placed by an enemy spy.

Commandos are awesome when used in small groups and snuck deep into enemy territory. While they're busy on the main front, you can blow up a lot of stuff!

[MosesPresley]

Thank you Carch for clearing that up for me.

[Shift.Eh]

Sniping is the best, super fun! I'm still not used to counter-spying yet, it's somewhat hard and the manual is useless.

[Inverse Icarus]

:hrmm: i thought counter intelligence was "auto-casting". sorry.

[HalfLotus]

After watching a few recorded games, and reading the tooltips I found that the Informer skill is very powerful for spies. Informer is used on enemy buildings. It allows you to see what's in the building (whats being made, and whats garrisoned there), and gives the field of vision of that building...very useful for scouting.

From the tooltip:

An informer at library allows you to track your enemy's science progress.

An informer at a merchant shows your opponents resource levels.

An informer at a barracks shows the number and type of military units your opponent has made. (editor's note: !!!!)

Also note that spies will auto-bribe and auto-informer when you right-click on an enemy unit or building. No need to hit the actual command.

You can bribe enemy buildings in your territory.

I'm still not exactly sure how counterintelligence works. I'm thinking you activate it on one of your buildings and it roots out any Infomers. I believe you are given a general alert when one of your buildings has an enemy informer in it. eg-A barracks has been infliltrated. Its up to you to find the right one and perform counterintel.

I did notice, while watching recorded games, that the color stripe on the (Informer filled) barracks would switch to enemy colors for a brief moment every 10-15 seconds. Not sure if this shows up in game, but its a dead giveaway!

I stand in slack-jawed awe of the depth of this game.

[Carch]

Oho, I was wrong!

You can assassinate spies with spies. Hit counter-intelligence (or W) and right-click on the spy.

Of course, you have to see it first, and if you do, it's usually easier to snipe it with a commando, but it does work.

[MosesPresley]

Carch, when you say "see it", what do you mean? Can I kill a spy with a spy when the enemy spy is transparent or does the enemy spy have to be solid?