Quick Links
Unlike previous games in the series, Espionage has been folded into the Diplomacy mechanic inCivilization 7. There’s no longer any need to produce spies, or dedicate resources to Espionage actions outside of spending your Influence to enact subterfuge, and defend yourself against enemies.
Whether you’re new to Civilization 7 or new to the franchise as a whole, Espionage is an important skill to master if you’re planning on securing victory after 500 or so turns. This guide has everything you need to know to make you an expert spymaster. Here’s a breakdown of how Espionage works in Civilization 7.
What Is Espionage?
Espionage is an excellent ability for sabotaging your enemiesand even defending yourself against attack on the world stage.
You can’t immediately begin committing acts of Espionagethough right off the bat. To begin using this ability,you’ll need to meet a few prerequisites first.
Details
Research Tech & Civics
Each Espionage action in Civilization 7 requires a certain researchto be completed either in your Tech Tree or Civics Tree.
Other Espionage actions are unlocked through your Attribute Treeby clicking on your leader profile.
Meet Opposing Civs
To enact Espionage,you’ll need to know another Civand begin diplomatic relations with them.
Send out Scoutsto find and meet other Civs.
Garner Influence
Espionage costs Influence, and if you don’t have any Influence in the bank, you won’t be able to use any Espionage actions.
Spend time constructing buildings and gathering other Influence resourcesthat can earn you more Influence on the world stage.
How Does Espionage Work?
As mentioned above,Espionage actions are actions you can implement by spending Influence. Follow the below steps to begin an Espionage Action.
Remember,not all Espionage actions are available right at the start. Keep your science and cultural output high so that you can research specific tech and civics that’ll unlock more actions.
Once you’ve made your selection,the Espionage action will remain in effect for a number of turns, displayed in the top right corner of yourDiplomacy Menu.
If you forget what Espionage actions you have in effect, hover your mouse or reticle over each action in the top-right hand corner of the Diplomacy Menu for each leader.
What Does Espionage Do?
Here are examples of Espionage actionsyou can take over the course of your campaign, along with the Age you can unlock them in.
Antiquity
Writing Mastery
Allows you to steal a completed Tech from an opponent’s Tech Tree, adding it to your empire.
Code of Laws
Allows you to steal a completed Civic from an opponent’s Civic Tree, adding it to your empire.
Modern
Rocketry
Slows down the progress of the Space Program in the target civ.
Destroys every Rail Station and Port in a target city.
Nationalism Mastery
Siege units use their Bombard Combat Strength to attack every unit of the enemy civ.
There aretwo other things you need to knowto fully understand Espionage in Civilization 7.
What Is Espionage Good For?
As you’re able to see from the above table,Espionage has a lot of practical uses across any campaign. Here are just a few ways you should attempt to prioritize using Espionage.
Even if you choose not to use Espionage to further your progression,you should be Counterspying pretty regularlyto prevent enemies from getting an advantage on you.
