Espionage

Spy units are composed of, per unit, one soldier unit and one professional unit and perform various functions.1

Spy Functions

CODEACTION
ARebel Quantity and Type
BConvert Rebels
CUncover Foreign Spy
DSuppress Foreign Spy
EIncite Rebellion
FObtain Secrets

In order for a spy unit to function on a ship/colony, it must be at that ship or colony. When a spy unit is ordered to perform a function, it will continue to do so until ordered otherwise. The way a spy unit functions is shown below.

Rebel Quantity and Type

A spy unit informs the ruler of the number of rebels on his colonies and ships, and their population type. One spy unit is required for each colony or ship.

Convert Rebels

A spy unit can convert a ruler's rebels to loyal population. One unit of rebels can be converted by each spy unit.

Uncover Foreign Spy

A spy unit discovers foreign spy operations in a ruler's colonies and ships, and will report to the ruler the number of spies and the name of the colony or ship from which they originated. Only one spy unit is required for this function for each ship/colony.

Suppress Foreign Spy

A spy unit suppresses foreign spy operations; this is done through assassination. The number of foreign spy units destroyed is determined as follows:2

  1. Attacking spies will destroy the number of foreign spies equal to 3 of the attackers' number.
  2. The number of attacking spies lost equals 1/6 of the defenders number.
  3. Thus, if 21 spies attacked 12 foreign spies, 2 attacking spies and 7 foreign spies would be lost.

Incite Rebellion

A spy unit can incite rebellion in foreign colonies. Each spy unit will convert one loyal population unit to a rebel unit.

Obtain Secrets

A spy unit can obtain for the ruler all or part of another ruler's ship or colony report. One line of the report can be obtained per turn per spy unit.


Footnotes

  1. Only one function can be performed per unit per turn. For ordering the various functions, see Writing Orders.

  2. These quantities will vary by as much as 50%, + or -, to account for the element of chance.