How do spies feel to everyone else, power-wise? At this point, I'm not sure if I really feel like they're super worthwhile. Watching a city is a lot of set up for minimal pay off and the siphoning yields are really small. I haven't had much practice using the spymaster as an offensive support unit, but that looks solid enough to me.

As is, I find I use the bulk of my agent cap to churn out envoys, and I really think that should be a harder decision to make. It's possible I'm just missing something though, so let me know how you use spies.

Arachnodork wrote:
As is, I find I use the bulk of my agent cap to churn out envoys, and I really think that should be a harder decision to make.

I'm trying to recall, what do Envoys do that Spies don't?    Spies can enter hostile territory and collect intel.  I'm guessing they don't generate influence or improve relations with Independent People, is that right?

Siphoning yields can be worth it if you find the right districts:  City centres, wonders, and strong EQs can be worth quite a bit of money, science, or influence.  It might be more worthwhile it you could siphon or especially sabotage a cluster of seven-hexes instead of just one(?), but so far I was pretty satisfied with my spies.  You can also steal access to a luxury or strategic resource with them, which can be particularly strong if it's what you need to secure a Manufactory with the Patronage tech.  So as surgical tools in just the right place, I've been pretty satisfied with them.

Generally, I like to have an envoy per other player, so I can run around and scoop up influence, since I play somewhat more peacefully. I also use the envoys to push critical independent peoples into client state or assimilate.

I hadn't tried using a spy on a wonder, that never occured to me! I'll give that a go, it sounds fun. I had success with snagging luxuries for the wondrous bonus, and that definitely is rewarding.