Recruiting candidates with past service history

[Days]

I'm running out of generals and am looking at the available candidates column on the right side of the screen. Many of these candidates have a past service history with warlords that are still active. Any chance they can be spies that will sabotage my armies or settlements after being recruited?

[Crowkeeper]

Originally posted by Days:

I'm running out of generals and am looking at the available candidates column on the right side of the screen. Many of these candidates have a past service history with warlords that are still active. Any chance they can be spies that will sabotage my armies or settlements after being recruited?

It's possible, but it's a risk you will eventually have to take. Just don't give them too much power for a handful of years. Once a decent period of time has passed then you should be fine.

[identity]

Yes, but after playing many games, I've yet to notice the AI performing any spy activities, though I suppose this might be related to the various events that sometimes pop up like "attempted assassination" or the like. For the most part, a lot of the spy activities, especially the worst ones, require the person to be on the court council, or part of the ruling family, and since you, as the player, likely aren't putting these people in those positions all that often, it's probably not much to worry about. I haven't really looked at the options for spying generals, but I haven't noticed much there either. Maybe it happens far more often in harder difficulties.

This might also be somewhat related, but some generals are not capable of becoming spies, while others are. I'm not sure if this means they might be a spy already, or if they just won't do it altogether, and in case of the latter, those that don't want to be spies might be safe, or safer, to recruit.

[Darth Alpharius]

AI doesnt use the Spy feature.

[identity]

Originally posted by Darth Alpharius:

AI doesnt use the Spy feature.

Can you post some evidence for this statement, or are we just supposed to accept you at your word?

One article I've found said be careful of spies that were caught and released back to you as they might be a double agent.

[Diruk]

I tend to watch out for those that have a 1 year service record with a faction. Generally, I recruit and send off my spies right off the bat.
Damaging wise I hadn't suffered much at all from the times where I was forced to risk it. Lost 1/3 of an army randomly, but that was it.

[Metadragon]

Originally posted by Days:

I'm running out of generals and am looking at the available candidates column on the right side of the screen. Many of these candidates have a past service history with warlords that are still active. Any chance they can be spies that will sabotage my armies or settlements after being recruited?

there is a chance but i have yet to see spies at work by the AI. More likely they hold a grudge against their former lords which gives them a nice boost when attacking them.

[Crowkeeper]

Originally posted by Gh05t_Shi3ld:

Originally posted by Darth Alpharius:

AI doesnt use the Spy feature.

And that's a sad thing, which CA need to fix it.

Nobody has shown proof that the AI doesn't use the spy system. I refuse to believe that Cao Cao straight up releases Xiahou Yuan nearly every game. I always assumed he was a spy.

[Metadragon]

Originally posted by WouldSmash:

Originally posted by Gh05t_Shi3ld:

And that's a sad thing, which CA need to fix it.

Nobody has shown proof that the AI doesn't use the spy system. I refuse to believe that Cao Cao straight up releases Xiahou Yuan nearly every game. I always assumed he was a spy.

I dont think he is willing to spy though when you play as Cao Cao. Dont remember though He served very well the whole game as Gongsun Zan

[Crowkeeper]

Originally posted by Metadragon:

Originally posted by WouldSmash:

Nobody has shown proof that the AI doesn't use the spy system. I refuse to believe that Cao Cao straight up releases Xiahou Yuan nearly every game. I always assumed he was a spy.

I dont think he is willing to spy though when you play as Cao Cao. Dont remember though He served very well the whole game as Gongsun Zan

That is so lame if true. lmao

Cao Cao just releasing one of his best possible generals.

[Metadragon]

Originally posted by WouldSmash:

Originally posted by Metadragon:

I dont think he is willing to spy though when you play as Cao Cao. Dont remember though He served very well the whole game as Gongsun Zan

That is so lame if true. lmao

Cao Cao just releasing one of his best possible generals.

yeah he and Xiahou Dun are probably my favorite generals in this game. On par with the overpowered Sun family. Xiahou Dun is a general killer. He even took down Lu Bu and Gaun Yu in my very first campaign.

[Days]

Well, just a quick update.

I bit the bullet and employed strategists from the unemployment dole, fitted them with trebuchets and twangers, and so far, so good. No signs of subversion (as if I would know) but I've taken the advised precaution of not putting them in any positions in my court.

I'll update if something interesting happens.