Old Issue - Stealing Techs

from GalCiv2 Forums
Recently, this issue has been discussed again. I can only say that in my games I've never stolen a single tech in spite of having "advanced" espionage level with some or all the ai opponents.

I've seen people report that they have stolen technologies from ai's, so it should be possible, shouldn't it?

Reasons for me not stealing any technologies could be:
1. I return espionage spending to 0BC after I hit advanced level. May be you have to continue to spend money to steal any techs.
2. In recent games I played with tech trade off, so may be you cannot even steal technologies apart from invading enemy planets. But I dind't steal any technologies with tech trade on before...
3. a) People reporting technology stealing may have gotten the technology due to invasion of enemy planets - not "real" stealing due to espionage. In effect this would mean, there is nothing such as genuine technology stealing. --> b) This is supported by the fact (a fact in my opinion, that is) that the "techs stolen" overview at the end of the game really shows techs stolen due to planetary invasion. Normally, the Drengin and Yor are good in this part of the overview, because they invade many ai planets.

I cannot decide on this issue, I can only report that I never genuinely stole a tech despite hitting advanced espionage status sometimes very early on in the game. What are your opinions/findings?
8,310 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
tech trading doesnt affect it i think, and its fine to set espionage to 0 once you've reached advanced, maybe you're just unlucky?
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I believe its got to do with the luck attribute. With increased luck you have a higher chance of stealing techs. Also, I think it depends on how advanced you are relative to the other races, if there are any advanced techs they have but you don't. I've had games where I've stolen 10+ techs through espionage and others with none. I'm sure part of it is hit or miss.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Are you always advanced in technology? Because obviously you can't steal any tech if you already have it.
You definately can steal techs, I've done it several times. You must be unlucky.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I am still playing my first game, and I have stolen techs as well. From the Dregin no less. At the time I had stolen these techs I had yet to invade my first planet.
I noticed that I had actually started to research the tech prior to actually stealing it. Not sure if that plays a part or not. I know my custom race does not have the luck attribute. Just my experience thus far.

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Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I get stolen techs ( not from conquering worlds but from espionage ).
I do keep espionage spending on after reaching advanced.

However it could also be related to my exploring most of the anomalies -- I get a lot of +5 to espionage from them.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I steal techs constantly. Turn the cash off after hitting advanced, it does nothing, and can make quite a drain on funds after a while.

It's random, but if you're far behind in tech it helps.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Its beens some time since I've stolen a tech other then through invasion. It alway was a rare occurrence but Its probably because I out research the AI now.

The main reason to invest in espionage is not tech stealing its to get access on the AI ship techs, planets etc.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I get stolen techs ( not from conquering worlds but from espionage ).
I do keep espionage spending on after reaching advanced.

However it could also be related to my exploring most of the anomalies -- I get a lot of +5 to espionage from them.


I very often play Drath Legion, so I have this 50%(?) bonus on espionage, but it doesn't seem to help me in stealing techs. I think it just helps getting espionage levels earlier.

Are you always advanced in technology? Because obviously you can't steal any tech if you already have it.
You definately can steal techs, I've done it several times. You must be unlucky.


In this game I was advanced in techs since it was "only" on crippling difficulty. I just finished the game and the overview in the end showed me that I "stole" over 20 techs by planetary conquest. These were mostly weapon techs. But even close to the end of the game I was able to get 2 techs (expert logistics/miniaturization) due to invasion. So, while I was far ahead in technology, there would have been enough opportunities to steal these techs from the ai's before my invasions, which started only after 2 years game time.

I think I might just be extremely unlucky with stealing techs   
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I Just got the game this past weekend, and in one of my first games (just chekcing everything out at the time). I had espionage bout 24bc with one race(can't remember who) and not long after hitting advanced, I was able to steal a tech.

BTW I love this game so far and the dedication the team is showing in it.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I think you must be doing well in the research dept if you're not getting them via espionage or invasion. I get them left and right. There are some techs I just don't research, and pretty much get them right away when i go to war. Like i used to always steal the planet improvers, and the better miniturations(which the AI loves for some reason) and i don't bother with.

Also using a different weapon and defense then the AI should improve your odds of keeping a steady flow of invasion tec grabs.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
1. I return espionage spending to 0BC after I hit advanced level. May be you have to continue to spend money to steal any techs.


I keep my espionage spending when I have reached advanced going and steal techs via espionage. I believe espionage skill, luck skill and spending on espionage effect tech stealing. I have stolen techs from all races and I know its via espionage because I am not at war with anyone. Also I have NEVER stolen a tech until I have reached advanced level of espionage, I think BC's spent after this help u tech steal. I play on suicidal so the other races always have techs I have not got, so there is always plenty of techs to steal off them. Usually its just weapon or defense tech from tech paths I have not bothered with.