Civ 3 question

[Morlock]

I just got civ 3 and I have played it a couple of times. Being a newbie I have some question about the game. Here is one off the top of my head:
How do you use/plant spies? its not a menu option, and it says the hotkeys are ctrl + shift + E- nothing happens. Do I need a specific science for it?

[Tamerlane]

Whilst I haven't played Civ3 in a while (friend is borrowing it).

I'll try to help anyway.

Espionage is needed or something similar, and a road to the opposing nations capital may also be needed.

This thread may also be useful/

[Xandax]

Firstly you need an ambassy(sp?) with the other civ.
Secondly you need to develop espionage and establish an intelligence sevice building (can't remember the correct name anymore - been some time since I've played)
Then you can plant spies in other civs - but it costs money and there is a (rather large IMO) possibility that your spy is caught (and for some reason nobody likes to find out that there is an atemp of spying).

Hope this helps - otherwise just say so

[HighLordDave]

I have never found Espionage to be useful. Some of the stuff they do (like stealing an opponent's world map) can be done cheaper by just buying or trading for it.

When you go to plant a spy, there is a chance that the nation you were planning to spy on will become hostile. In this instance, it's more worthwhile just to roll across the border with tanks and take them down.

If you do find espionage to be useful, then you probably want to have a communist government; their spies are more adept and have a higher chance of success both to be planted and to complete their missions.

You can't develop the espionage technology until the early industrial age, and in my opinion, your better off making a run at replaceable parts (then you start generating infantry) and motorised transporation (tanks) first; this is the brute force approach as opposed to stealth.

[Xandax]

Originally posted by HighLordDave
<snip>
When you go to plant a spy, there is a chance that the nation you were planning to spy on will become hostile. In this instance, it's more worthwhile just to roll across the border with tanks and take them down.
<snip>

Unless you want them to declare war on you to decresse war-weariness(sp?) in the early stages of combat.
I always prefere to have the other civs declare war on my, cause them I'm not the bad guy when I burn their cities to the ground and incite all the other civs against my enermy

[HighLordDave]

The other thing to do is get snippy with them when their units begin incursions into your territory. Usually they're just passing through, but it's still your territory.

Another hint from the book is to demand the trade of another civ's cities. After a few times, they will get fed up with you and declare war on you. Of course, if you pick a communist government, war-weariness ceases to be a factor.

[ThorinOakensfield]

Press CTRL+E to get up a screen on who to establish embassies with.
Then double click on the star icon on capital cities, and from there you can go to investigate city or steal technology.
I believe there are more options once you get some techs or wonders in modern era.
Also go to www.civfanatics.com or apolyton.com.
They are big civ sites.

[Morlock]

Is there any way to remove the 2050 limit? I find myself always about 50 years short!

[ThorinOakensfield]

Oh yeah, i found this really cool utility at civfanatics.
You can edit your saved games.

And i also recommend you going to civfanatics because they have tons of player created maps and utilities and stuff.

And here is the program you'll need.
Easy stuff, download, unzip and click on the program, find your Save and edit it as much as possible. You can change year limit too.
the utility

And the homepage