How do AI spies steal techs so fast?

[zxcvbob]

I'm playing at emperor level; I just entered the industrial era and I have a slight tech lead. Germany stole a tech from me. I told them to stop spying on me and they said they would send their spies elsewhere. TWO turns later they stole another tech (and I immediately declared war and took 3 cities, including their capitol) Five turns into the war, they stole another tech. They do not have an ideology yet, so it's not that Autocracy policy -- but even if it was, 2 turns??? And then 5???

[dchang0]

It might be that they had/have multiple spies (one in each of your cities) from way back, and they're all hitting the jackpot at the same time. Industrial era: how many spies did you recruit by then?

[Phryxo]

Did it say it was Germany on all 3 occasions or just the first one? I highly doubt they had spies n any of your expands, that's never the case in my experience (or it's so seldom I don't remember it). Keep in mind that promoted spies do steal techs faster, but probably not that fast.

[zxcvbob]

They were still in the Renaissance era, so only one spy. And it was Germany all three times, and each time it was in Rome. Everybody else is stealing from me too; my spy is useless. Yes, I know the spy gets promoted when he steals a tech. But that doesn't explain 2 turns. (at least I hope it doesn't)

[eleventy]

When someone enters the next era, every civ receives a new spy regardless of how far behind they are. So my guess is that Germany's first spy was promoted so it could steal faster, meaning there were two spies and the third technology was the first (promoted) one stealing again.

[Phryxo]

You can't have 2 spies on the same city though.

Pretty odd though. 2 turns is way too fast. Maybe the first tech they stole was something from Ancient or Classical era? I think this also factors in as to when your (so probably also the AI's) next steal is due.

[Desperado]

Whenever you have the tech lead...use a spy to guard your capital

[The Silent CivVer]

I think Phyrxo is correct:

Spies are more 'efficient' if there is a large technology difference between the two civs. I think having unresearched 'cheap' techs can shorten the time for a steal drastically.

[reubenmd12]

You are in the Industrial Era, Germany are in the Renaissance Era. You have a "slight tech lead". (Unless of course you mean over more advanced nations.)

[Robin®]

never tell other countries to stop sending spies 1.they won't listen to you, they continue to steal your technology 2.it has bad influence on your diplomacy
(if you lead the technology, you need to have a spy in your capital)

[zxcvbob]

I had a spy in my capital. That's how I know who is doing the stealing but the spy hasn't stopped any of them.

They (not just Germany) are stealing ridiculously old techs, like Masonry and Calendar, so that might be it -- Bismarck beelined something like Chivalry and Banking, and ignored other parts of the tech tree. I know he's in the Ren era because he was the first one there. I kinda did that too to get to the Industrial era quickly (Fertilizer) so I could stop making faith purchases and let it accumulate for something nice, like scientists and engineers.

[Eti]

Your spies should be killing the spies, spieing on you.

[John]

I have had this plenty of times, everyone still has one spy, i kill a spy and a few turns later, 4, 5 or whatever impossible amount of turns the same civ steals from the same city. Do know, i just killed their only spy, so their new one had to travel, do reconnaissance and stealing the tech. Sure you can be ahead of them, but it seems they don't have to travel or do any recon, just put a spy in there and watch it steal.

The most unreal thing is, if they steal a tech, you have like a 1/3 chance to kill them with a lvl 3 spy, 1/3 that they steal and you spot them, 1/3 chance they steal and you see nothing. If you steal a tech, it's like a 4/6 chance they kill you, 1/6 chance they spot you, 1/6 chance you get away, and that with your lvl 3 spy against their lvl 1 spy. I know it was lvl 1 cause just killed their only spy 3 turns before.

[Wise Joe]

Which are all reasons why I turn espinoge off. Just an annoyance that saps the fun out of the game. At least for me it does, so who needs it? Not, I!

[just.nuke.em]

Originally posted by zxcvbob:

They (not just Germany) are stealing ridiculously old techs, like Masonry and Calendar, so that might be it

Yes, old tech is rediculously easy to steal. The AI also probably has some bonus to steal speed, but it is not uncommon to steal a low tech, then get upgraded and then steal another low tech in a few turns.

[zxcvbob]

Originally posted by just.nuke.em:

Originally posted by zxcvbob:

They (not just Germany) are stealing ridiculously old techs, like Masonry and Calendar, so that might be it

Yes, old tech is rediculously easy to steal. The AI also probably has some bonus to steal speed, but it is not uncommon to steal a low tech, then get upgraded and then steal another low tech in a few turns.

Does this work for human players too? Steal something stupid (sailing) just for the upgrade and then steal a good tech (rifling) a few turns later for another upgrade?