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I've read lots of different posts about the various stealth units, how to defeat them, when they can be seen etc. So I decided to do some research on my own to confirm how it really works. I set up a test game where I controlled both players. Here is what I found:
Visibility: Basic scouts can always be seen, however beginning with the Explorer upgrade and continuing through Commando and Special Forces, they can only be seen when moving or using their special abilities. They remain visible for a few seconds after stopping, then disappear (to the other player - you still see them of course). However they can be seen if the enemy has a "detect" unit or building nearby (see next section). Spies can never be seen by your enemy without a detection unit or building. Submarines and Attack Submarines also can never be seen without a detection unit or building.
Detection: The following can see Spies, Submarines/Attack Submarines, and non-moving Explorers/Commandoes/Special Forces: anything from the Scout line, Observation Posts, Helicopters, Submarines/Attack Submarines, and all Light Ships (from Bark through Missle Cruiser). Note that there is no distinction between land and sea units for stealth and detection purposes, so a Light Ship or Submarine can see a Spy near the coast, while an Observation Post or Scout on the coast can spot a Submarine. Also note that Spies are not detect units. So Spies cannot see other Spies on their own.
Attacking Spies: Members of the Scout line do not attack Spies on their own. They can use their Counterintelligence ability to destroy a Spy, but this of course requires you to specifcally select your Explorer/Commando/Special Forces unit and right click on the Spy. Spies can also use the Counterilligence ability to destroy an enemy Spy, but only if they can see the Spy via some other nearby detection unit or building since they won't be able to see it on their own. If an enemy Spy is visible thanks to a nearby detection unit, then your regular military units will attack it. So if you include Scouts in your military formations, then those formations will be able to see and attack Spies. Note that a Light Ship positioned off the coast will open fire on a Spy, as will a Helicopter that spots a Spy.
Attacking Scouts: Just as with Spies, your regular military units will attack a Scout provided they can see it, either because there is a nearby detection unit or building, or because the Scout is moving. Note that the Counterintelligence ability does not work on Scouts, so Spies and Scouts can't use it on enemy Scouts.
Edit - One very effective way of keeping Spies and members of the Scout line away from your cities is to build tower/observation post combinations. The OP makes the unit visible, allowing the Tower to open fire.
Informers: Only Spies can plant informers. Once you plant an informer, you gain line of sight from that building as well as specific information related to that building. For example, click on an infiltrated barracks to see how many ground troops the enemy has. If the enemy infiltrates one of your buildings, the word "Informer" will flash in red in the bottom right display. The building will also flash the enemy's colors every few seconds. So finding infiltrated buildings is not tough. Both Spies and Scouts can use the Counterintelligence ability to remove informers. Note that the Counterintelligence ability serves two purposes for Spies and Scouts: to remove informers, and to attack Spies.
Bribes: Only Spies can bribe units. There's not much to it - just select the Spy and right click on the target unit. If the enemy can see you due to a detection unit or building, then your Spy is subject to attack by the unit you are bribing and other nearby units.
Sabotage: Beginning with the Commando upgrade, the Scout line gains the Sabotage ability. Using it is simple - just select the Commando/Special Forces unit and right click on the target building. Based on my testing, the amount of damage done is either half the building's remaining health or 200, whichever is greater. So to completely destroy a building, it must already be below 200 health. Using multiple Commandoes together at the same time is the best way to completely destroy a building. The amount of damage done did not change with the upgrade to Special Forces. Special Forces however have more total craft points, so basically they can use their abilities more often. I didn't test Elite Special Forces.
Sniper: Beginning with the Commando upgrade, the Scout line gains the Sniper ability. Sniping will completely kill stable/auto plant units, siege factory units, and generals. For infantry units, it will kill 1 of the 3 guys. You can also use Sniper to kill enemy Scout units. For seige units, supply wagons, and later with tanks and armored cars, the Commandoes actually have to run up to the unit rather than snipe it from a distance.
That's about it. I hope this information is useful.
Visibility: Basic scouts can always be seen, however beginning with the Explorer upgrade and continuing through Commando and Special Forces, they can only be seen when moving or using their special abilities. They remain visible for a few seconds after stopping, then disappear (to the other player - you still see them of course). However they can be seen if the enemy has a "detect" unit or building nearby (see next section). Spies can never be seen by your enemy without a detection unit or building. Submarines and Attack Submarines also can never be seen without a detection unit or building.
Detection: The following can see Spies, Submarines/Attack Submarines, and non-moving Explorers/Commandoes/Special Forces: anything from the Scout line, Observation Posts, Helicopters, Submarines/Attack Submarines, and all Light Ships (from Bark through Missle Cruiser). Note that there is no distinction between land and sea units for stealth and detection purposes, so a Light Ship or Submarine can see a Spy near the coast, while an Observation Post or Scout on the coast can spot a Submarine. Also note that Spies are not detect units. So Spies cannot see other Spies on their own.
Attacking Spies: Members of the Scout line do not attack Spies on their own. They can use their Counterintelligence ability to destroy a Spy, but this of course requires you to specifcally select your Explorer/Commando/Special Forces unit and right click on the Spy. Spies can also use the Counterilligence ability to destroy an enemy Spy, but only if they can see the Spy via some other nearby detection unit or building since they won't be able to see it on their own. If an enemy Spy is visible thanks to a nearby detection unit, then your regular military units will attack it. So if you include Scouts in your military formations, then those formations will be able to see and attack Spies. Note that a Light Ship positioned off the coast will open fire on a Spy, as will a Helicopter that spots a Spy.
Attacking Scouts: Just as with Spies, your regular military units will attack a Scout provided they can see it, either because there is a nearby detection unit or building, or because the Scout is moving. Note that the Counterintelligence ability does not work on Scouts, so Spies and Scouts can't use it on enemy Scouts.
Edit - One very effective way of keeping Spies and members of the Scout line away from your cities is to build tower/observation post combinations. The OP makes the unit visible, allowing the Tower to open fire.
Informers: Only Spies can plant informers. Once you plant an informer, you gain line of sight from that building as well as specific information related to that building. For example, click on an infiltrated barracks to see how many ground troops the enemy has. If the enemy infiltrates one of your buildings, the word "Informer" will flash in red in the bottom right display. The building will also flash the enemy's colors every few seconds. So finding infiltrated buildings is not tough. Both Spies and Scouts can use the Counterintelligence ability to remove informers. Note that the Counterintelligence ability serves two purposes for Spies and Scouts: to remove informers, and to attack Spies.
Bribes: Only Spies can bribe units. There's not much to it - just select the Spy and right click on the target unit. If the enemy can see you due to a detection unit or building, then your Spy is subject to attack by the unit you are bribing and other nearby units.
Sabotage: Beginning with the Commando upgrade, the Scout line gains the Sabotage ability. Using it is simple - just select the Commando/Special Forces unit and right click on the target building. Based on my testing, the amount of damage done is either half the building's remaining health or 200, whichever is greater. So to completely destroy a building, it must already be below 200 health. Using multiple Commandoes together at the same time is the best way to completely destroy a building. The amount of damage done did not change with the upgrade to Special Forces. Special Forces however have more total craft points, so basically they can use their abilities more often. I didn't test Elite Special Forces.
Sniper: Beginning with the Commando upgrade, the Scout line gains the Sniper ability. Sniping will completely kill stable/auto plant units, siege factory units, and generals. For infantry units, it will kill 1 of the 3 guys. You can also use Sniper to kill enemy Scout units. For seige units, supply wagons, and later with tanks and armored cars, the Commandoes actually have to run up to the unit rather than snipe it from a distance.
That's about it. I hope this information is useful.
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