Greetings! A question about espionage.

[LeithLion]

Hello guys,

I am debating whether or not to get the gold Version for one reason: I didn't particularly enjoy the espionage element in the previous incarnation. Now my question: due to the moddability of this game, is it possible to tone down spying/espionage or disable it altogether ? I want to focus on building huge fleets, colonising new planets, launching large assaults, without having to be upset by getting some of my newly built battleships blown up by an enemy spy/agent. This is particularly annoying at the highest levels and quite frankly it put me off the game! If toning down spying/espionage is at all possible, kindly show me the way I will be most grateful! Thank you!

Regards,
Leith

[Phoenix-D]

You can turn off intellgence completely. On the "game settings" page, before you start the game, uncheck the box that says "allow intelligence projects"

Alternatively, you can go into the Technology screen and uncheck "Applied Intelligence" from the Technology Areas Allowed box.

Phoenix-D

[LeithLion]

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
You can turn off intellgence completely. On the "game settings" page, before you start the game, uncheck the box that says "allow intelligence projects"

Alternatively, you can go into the Technology screen and uncheck "Applied Intelligence" from the Technology Areas Allowed box.

Phoenix-D

Hello, Phoenix! Please don't get this the wrong way but I must say I love you!!!! I really really liked Space Empires 4 and wanted to keep playing it longer but at higher levels the AI just kept using its spies and agents so much so that it was frustrating to battle six AIs along with their fleets. I'm going to order the game Online right away. Thank you, my friend! Merry Christmas from the UK!

Regards,
Leith

[Q]

If you want to keep the intel in your games but make the AI use less offensive intel projects, you may also use the Intel Mod that is on the SE IV Gold CD. It allows you to specify for each AI empire if it will use only defensive intel or espionnage or sobatage or all together.

[Taera]

the deal with intel is to spot and bombard their intel planets while you have ~3 counter-intel projects running. then cut them down and let your spies work.

6 empires could be nasty though. dont go into war with 6 empires though and if you do, be ready to defend yourself with spies. intel is fun. its not too great in SE4, but still.
(i love when my base gets orders to move somewhere)

[Arkcon]

Intel against the AI is not as tough as it first seems. You just have to research intel early so you can build intel facilities on good planets. I wish it were available at the start.

Good planets meaning large or huge, maybe medium. Breathable. Good conditions (or move people to get the bonus) Just so long as you don't have to waste mineral rich worlds -- although sometimes I have to for the short term.

What you're probably doing is using those planets for research facilities to get tech faster. When intel is active, you have to try to strike a balance in that regard.

Then, crew insurrect a choice ship and steal the technology.