AGEOD Forums

How do spies work? The manual states that spies "improves the detection of enemy units (except Irregulars) within the Theatre by reducing Evasion Level by -1." However, "Theatre" is not defined in the manual. Is theatre the same as region or does it mean a larger land division? [Edit: Just searched the manual for "Theaters" and found the definition. Still interested in hearing the answers to my other questions, below, however.]

Also, do spies work best alone or as part of a stack? I figure that they are afforded some protection as part of a stack, but then they lose most of their stealthiness. For example, if I want to scout an enemy force, would it be best to send a spy or an Irregulars unit? What if I wish to scout an enemy structure to see what enemy units might be inside?

I hope that these questions are not too simplistic or have been answered elsewhere, but I could not find any mention of it either in the manual or with a forum search. I am currently playing the demo, but plan to download the full game in the near future. Thank you for your assistance.

AFAIK,the spy functions with very high detection ratings, which work the same as any other unit. The 'Master Spy' ability adds to this, giving a large area of detection. Not sure about an 'entire Theater'....

I'm not sure there is a 'best way', but here's "My Way", for what it's worth

I never put a spy in a stack. They have an extremely high 'evasion rating' that would be useless in stacks. When moving, I put them in 'passive [green] and turn on 'evasive move'. Never been caught yet. I leave them inpassive, and outside structures so they can escape any enemy attacks. They can starve and take damage in winter like any unit, so be sure they winter in a region with a structure.

The very high detection ratings allow me to put the spy in a region adjacent to the 'matter of interest'. I see pretty much everything about enemy stack that way.

Spies also have high naval detection, so I also try to put them adjacent to a 'port entry' sea region, to see if any blockade forces are there...

So for example: I put Paul Revere in either Cambridge or Bedford to keep an eye on the British in Boston and Massachusetts Bay...

Thank you for your reply.

Not putting a spy in a stack makes the most sense to me, also. Especially if evasion rating is modified because the stack is a "Large Force," etc.

Actually, when I thought of my question, it was specifically in reference to Master Spies like Paul Revere. The manual does state that Master Spies reduce the evasion level of all units in a theater by -1. That does seem like a lot of territory!

I assume that evasion is a different concept from detection? How well can a spy "see" enemy units from a distance? For example, in my current game, Paul Revere is in the same theater as a British stack, but is several regions away. I can see the stack is commanded by a colonel and has two units in it, but I don't know any more details. Will I learn more if I move Mr. Revere closer to the stack?

Thank you again for your help.