Spies revealed invasion plans!?

[Sirron]

Using spies in substantial numbers have become mainstay of my play since my first Byzantium campaign.

In middle phase of the game, as are the big empires created (10 + provinces) and I get to border one of them I use spies (at least 5 at once) to stir revolts behind enemy lines. I choose the provinces with ports and weakly defended with loyalty unde 150% if possible. These 5 spies are very likely to prepare nice rebellion, and they get a star. Then I continue the process ad move somewhere else, supplementing losses with new spies and eventually I breed 10 and more spies. 10 spies with 4 and more stars are ready to make almost any province rebellious.

Costs: the spies get killed, therefore I try never to move them alone (only in groups) via territories containing border towers/forts. In later phases of game I use 2-3 groups of 10 spies each.

Benefits: the revolts are wonderful. even if only peasants, UMs or other crap units appear.It costs AI some troops, time to suppress it. In happy moments when some stronger units join the revolt you can change the course of the game. (I was able to wrestle province of Egypt from Egyptians - ironically - whose empire at that time stretched from Granada to Anatolia in my current campaign. The Rebels held to it for more than 80 years, when they were bribed by the French). The Eggies never took it back and their communications were weakened.

The buildings of provinces that rebel get damage. So even one turn of control by rebels will destroy fort here, border tower there...AI rarely rebuilds and the loss of ports, border towers weakens it.

You can send spies and stir revolts while you are allied or neutral with the target nation. If one of my allies goes big, I go spy.

Dangers: reappearances. If there are revolts on the territory than has once belonged to extinct empire, the risk of reappearance is increased, I think. It can pose a threat if you weaken one nation by revolts, that can pave the way for reappearing of stronger enemy, who can suddenly materialize in various provinces, even in your own.


Nevertheless, especially while playing GA and one of my close friends has too many armies, GA points, the spies are my recipe.

[Sirron]

And another one to DukeOfSerbia:

The opening of gate by spies is bit different...By dropping a spy on the castle (during the siege, when you own the province and enemy hides inside) you get a note mentioning the percentage of success to open the gate.

If you proceed and are successful, you will receive the intact undamaged castle next turn with no need of direct assault!

It is hard to open crowded castle, bud medium size castles with small garrison are easily opened.

If you will not succeed, the spy is lost and siege continues.

With spies trained to 6 stars by repeated rebellions it is a piece of cake...

The revelation of invasion plans is only the little benefit added to other important roles of spies.

And, as I have read in the guides, the presence of spy in your own province makes life for enemy assassins more difficult or - to be precise - their death more easy.