-Espionage:
After some time (I call it spy-weeks) you'll gain high and higher levels of intel like in DL. Check my post here about how many 'spy-weeks' are needed for each level of intel
Espionage Intel LevelsThey know the spies are there, but don't know who's they are. Tech stealing via espionage is very low now in DA/TA as I think you only get techs at higher intel levels (as before) AND while spies are placed (a very costly endeavor).
Know this, spies can be nullified by another AI's spy and his and yours goes into the great galactic dumpster. Spy costs go up as you train more and more. This isn't based on how many you currently have, it's by how many spies you've made so far that game.
-Ascension:
Yes, people will hate you. You get a - for 1 resource and -- for 2+ resources. So if you are going for more than 1, make sure you snag a bunch of them. The multiplier is a smidgen below conquest I think due to the massive amount of military you'll need to keep the AIs off your back/the wars that will be fought over them. These resources cannot put out more than 1 point per week each. No mining modules can be added, nor can weapons/defenses. Also the max number of points per week you can get is 5...so reaching 1000 points takes a damn long time.
-Turn Button:
Lets take this one a few more replies shall we? What patch # are you playing in TA?
*edit*
I dug through the forums and came up with an answer on victory weight for ascension.
+ TWEAK: Assigned Ascension victory weight of 2.5
So it's on par with a conquest win, but at the very VERY least it will take you 4 years and 2 weeks to win.
