Spyder's web

[Prince Cobra]

Hmm, I consider spies as one of the most valuable agent pieces on the map. As you said, they are great in keeping the loyalty high, excellent in catching enemy spies/assassins and gaining valour... Obviously, the Byzantines are just perfect for me because they use a discount of this agent. :p If you play with the Byzantines in High/Late, for example you will see at least several advantages. In late, the old books say, destroy the Turks. Okay, but you need to take Trebizond, right to reach Rum + an archer unit won't harm. Two options: move a small but strogn enough cavalry force of 2-3 units (don't advise lead of the Emperor) to make the enemy accept a battle and then try to capture/kill all of the defenders. The other option (or if you fail to achieve the first) is sending a bigger force and starting a siege. With a siege, there is a loyalty drop so it's perfect to hire a spy to keep the loyalty until the siege is over. Once Trebizond is in your hands, you move to destroy the Turks. Here, you often beat them and they barricade behind the Citadel. You have a Bombard and not so many troops, so what assault? Possibly, but better try with a spy. Chances for success are often good and managed to finish off a whole faction with a spy and get many building intact. Just an example

And then what? Start a war with the Italians/French for Crete when you can avoid it? I often end with a land campaign but sometimes... well, it's fun to make several revolts on the islands to valour up your spies...

They are useful, very useful. I would say it's the unit I've mastered most. I am not really good with the assassins (a bit more micromanagement is needed) and moderately good in using the emissaries and the clerics.

P.S. I don't dare to use the framing for treason trait much since I use other ways to improve my generals loyalty...