Intelligence

Version

This article has been verified for the current PC version (3.10) of the game.

Intelligence and espionage are two important factors in gaining the upper hand over other empires. While an empire can only be defeated militarily, espionage can be used to significantly weaken it or gain substantial advantages over it.

Intel

Intel is a value between 0 and 100 that represents how much information an empire has about another empire. Intel automatically increases or decreases towards the intel cap for the target empire. Some intelligence on systems, including fleets and colonies, can also be gained via sensors (fleets, starbases, or colonies).

Intel level

There are 5 categories of intelligence, and 5 intel levels for each category: none, low, medium, high, and full. Every 10 points of intel increases the intel level in at least one category of intelligence, revealing additional information about the target empire.

Intel	Intel level
	Government	Diplomacy	Economy	Technology	Military
0-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80-89
90-99
100

Besides increasing intel, intel levels can be gained temporarily via intel reports from operations. Each intel level reveals the following information:

Level	Category
	Government	Diplomacy	Economy	Technology	Military
Low	Authority Ethics Capital Location Ruler	Casus Belli Relative Power Rivalries Federation Names	Low Intel on Colonies (name and location in the galaxy) Relative Economic Power	Relative Technological Power Number of Researched Technologies	Casus Belli Relative Fleet Power Location of Starbases Imminent Invasion Plans
Medium	Civics Origin Number of Owned Relics Governors	Opinion Breakdown Diplomatic Pacts Galactic Community Vote Rationale	Low Intel on Systems (location and number of planets) Medium Intel on Colonies (location within system and planet class) Location of Civilian Ships		Ship Details
High	Empire Size	Specialist Tier	Medium Intel on Systems (planet classes, fleets and stations) High Intel on Colonies (reveals all other information) Current Orders of Civilian Ships Subject Resource production		Location of Military Fleets
Full		Secret Diplomatic Pacts	High Intel on Systems (orbital deposits) Full Intel on Colonies (redundant with high intel on colonies)		Current Orders of Military Fleets Cloaked Fleets

If an intel level is reduced, the information for that category and level will no longer be updated and be marked as stale, but it will remain available.

Intel cap

Intel cap is determined by base intel level, diplomatic pacts, trust, or infiltration, whichever is the highest. If current intel is below the intel cap, it increases by +12 per year. If current intel is above the intel cap, it decreases by −1 per year. Intel cap from trust is equal to half the trust amount, while intel cap from infiltration is equal to the infiltration level. Diplomatic relations provide the following benefits to intel:

Relationship	Information Gained	Minimum Intel Cap
First Contact		10
Per level of Federation centralization		+10
Embassy	Diplomatic Pacts	+20
Commercial Pact	Relative Economic Power Medium Intel on Systems High Intel on Colonies	20
Guarantee Independence
Non-Aggression Pact
Migration Treaty	Low Intel on Systems	30
Research Agreement	Relative Technological Power
Galactic Community Member
Subject (from overlord)
Overlord (from subjects)	Low Intel on Systems Low Intel on Colonies Specialist Subject Tier Resource Production	40
Defensive Pact	Low Intel on Systems Relative Fleet Power
Federation Associate	Low Intel on Systems
Hegemony federation
Galactic Custodian (from Galactic Community members)	Relative Fleet Power	45
Martial Alliance federation	Low Intel on Systems Relative Fleet Power	50
Research Cooperative federation	Low Intel on Systems Relative Technological Power
Trade League federation	Low Intel on Systems Relative Economic Power
Galactic Union federation	Low Intel on Systems	60
Galactic emperor (from Galactic Imperium members)	Relative Fleet Power High Intel on Systems High Intel on Colonies	65
Galactic emperor with Imperial Security Directorate (from Galactic Imperium members)		80

Base intel level

Base intel level grants a minimum on intel cap towards every empire. Base intel starts at 10 and can be increased by the following:

Source	Base intel level
Sentry Array (stage IV)	+40
Sentry Array (stage III)	+30
Sentry Array (stage II)	+20
Sentry Array (stage I)	+10
Bureau of Espionage edict	+10
Observation Instinct edict	+10
Covert Analysis Algorithm edict	+10
Colonial Bureaucracy technology	+10
Galactic Bureaucracy technology	+10
Mind Readers tradition	+10
Uncover Secrets agenda (launch effect)	+20
Uncover Secrets agenda (initial effect)	+5
Blabbermouth trait ( Ambassador veteran class, Level 3)	+20
Blabbermouth trait ( Ambassador veteran class, Level 2)	+10
Blabbermouth trait ( Ambassador veteran class, Level 1)	+5
Watcher of the Imperium council position	+2.5 per leader skill level
Improved Mycelial Network, from Grafting the Spores special project	+10

Spy networks

Infiltration	Growth	Max.
Relative codebreaking and encryption Maximum 4 point difference	±10%	±10
Criminal Heritage civic	+20%	—
Shadow Recruits tradition	+50%	—
Double Agents tradition	—	+10
Bureau of Espionage edict	—	+10
Per asset	—	+5
Per Disinformation Center holding	—	+5
Per Science Ship on Active Reconnaissance	+10%	—
Prepare for War	+33%	—

Spy networks are created by assigning an envoy to build one in a target empire via the diplomacy or espionage menu. Creating a spy network allows an empire to launch various operations once they have a sufficient infiltration level. Infiltration level grows over time as long as an envoy is assigned to the spy network and the current level is below the maximum level. Each day the spy network gains +1 point, plus an additional +0.0025 for each point of empire size in the target empire (i.e +1 per 400 ). Overlords and their subjects gain an additional +1 points daily when building a network on each other. Each infiltration level requires 5 points plus 5 points times the current level. For example, to increase from level 49 to level 50 requires $5 + (5 \cdot 49) = 250 \text{ points}$. Spy network growth is multiplied by various factors, as shown in the table on the right. If the envoy is removed or the maximum infiltration level drops below the current infiltration level, the current infiltration level falls by −1 each month unless a Prepare Sleeper Cells operation was completed.

The current infiltration level is visible on the diplomacy screen to the right of the intel level along with an arrow showing the current trend. Hovering over the infiltration icon displays the maximum as well as the current infiltration growth. The current and maximum infiltration can also be seen in the espionage screen. The base maximum infiltration level is 50. Maximum infiltration can also be increased by various factors, as shown in the table on the right, as well as the Gather Information operation, which temporarily raises the maximum infiltration level by +5 (stackable to a maximum of +20).

Codebreaking and Encryption

Codebreaking represents the ability to effectively infiltrate another empire, while Encryption represents an empire's defense against foreign infiltration. When an operation takes place, the infiltrating empire's codebreaking is pitted against the infiltrated empire's encryption to determine the modified difficulty of the operation. Each can be increased by various factors listed below. Only the relative value of codebreaking and encryption matters, and the various benefits (or penalties) are capped at 4 points above (or below) the other empire.

Source	Codebreaking
Bureau of Espionage edict	+2
Observation Instinct edict	+2
Covert Analysis Algorithm edict	+2
Quantum Hacking technology	+2
Simulated Social Engineering technology	+2
Quasi-Dimensional Reflection technology	+2
Shrouded Communications tradition	+2
Imperial Security Directorate resolution	+2
Uncover Secrets agenda	+2
Whisperers in the Void covenant (50 favor)	+2
Whisperers in the Void covenant	+1
Cutthroat Politics civic	+1
Shadow Council civic	+1
Static Research Analysis civic	+1
Criminal Heritage civic	+1
Ruthless Competition civic	+1
Subterfuge tradition tree	+1
Operational Security tradition	+1
Defeated Absurdism empire modifier	+1
Inward Perfection civic	−1

Source	Encryption
Imperial Security Directorate resolution	+4
Gestalt Consciousness ethic	+2
Enigmatic Engineering ascension perk	+2
Shrouded Communications tradition	+2
Quantum Firewalls technology	+2
Simultaneous-Collapse Storage technology	+2
Negative-Time Keys technology	+2
Closed Society empire modifier	+2
Asteroid Encryption empire modifier	+1
Inward Perfection civic	+1
Pooled Knowledge civic	+1
Introspective civic	+1
Tracking Implants edict	+1
Thought Enforcement edict	+1
Enhanced Surveillance edict	+1
Information Security tradition	+1
Chosen of the Whisperers ruler trait	+1

Operations

Operation difficulty modifiers
Relative codebreaking and encryption Maximum 4 point difference	±4
Operational Security tradition	−2
Target has Non-Disclosure Agreement tradition	+1
Per matching category of assigned asset	−4
Subject or overlord of target	−2
Successful Prepare Sleeper Cells operation	−1

Operations are targeted events that can be triggered within a specific empire. To run an operation, an empire must have an envoy assigned to build a spy network in the target empire. All operations have an infiltration level requirement and influence cost as well as an an ongoing energy upkeep until they are completed. The Non-Disclosure Agreement tradition increases the required infiltration level for hostile operations by +20%.

Operations progress similarly to the archeology mechanic, with each preparation phase advancing by rolling a die every 30 days and eventually overcoming the required difficulty check. Each operation has a base difficulty which is modified by the factors in the table on the right. Operation events may occur during the preparation of an operation, possibly modifying the difficulty, influencing the outcome, or requiring the sacrifice of an asset to avoid a negative effect. Most operations reduce the spy network's current infiltration level upon completion. If the  Subterfuge tradition tree is completed, successful operations refund half of the spent infiltration on completion.

Operations targeting primitive civilizations

The following operations can only be undertaken towards primitive civilizations. They are riskier and more expensive if the Gene Tailoring technology hasn't been researched and are not available if the Pre-FTL Interference policy is set to Non-Interference.

Operation	Intel category	Phases		Costs			Requirements		Effects
				Launch	Upkeep	Finish		Others
Plant Advanced Knowledge	Technology	4	6	30 without Gene Tailoring 20 with Gene Tailoring	−7	−20	20	Aggressive Interference Pre-FTL Interference policy Prohibited Pre-FTL Enlightenment policy	Increases progress towards the next age
Infiltrate Government	Government	3	7	60 without Gene Tailoring 40 with Gene Tailoring	−8	−40	40	Early Space Age civilization Subtle Interference Pre-FTL Interference policy Hive Mind Gestalt Consciousness civilization	Civilization is annexed Civilization's homeworld buildings are upgraded to tier 1 Civilization's homeworld gains +30% Happiness for 20 years
Infiltrate Hive	Government	3	7	60 without Gene Tailoring 40 with Gene Tailoring	−8	−40	40	Early Space Age civilization Subtle Interference Pre-FTL Interference policy Hive Mind Gestalt Consciousness civilization	Civilization is annexed Civilization's homeworld buildings are upgraded to tier 1
Indoctrinate Society	Government	4	5	55 without Gene Tailoring 35 with Gene Tailoring	−7	−30	30	Utopia or First Contact DLC Gestalt Consciousness Gestalt Consciousness civilization Same ethics	Civilization shifts ethics towards the empire's
Increase Awareness	Diplomacy	4	5	45 without Gene Tailoring 25 with Gene Tailoring	−6	−15	15	First Contact DLC Fully Aware Aggressive Interference Pre-FTL Interference policy	+15-20 Awareness Awareness cannot decay for 5 years
Spread Disinformation	Diplomacy	4	7	45 without Gene Tailoring 25 with Gene Tailoring	−6	−15	15	First Contact DLC Fully Aware	-20 Awareness

Operations targeting empires

All operations against empires except for Gather Information require the Nemesis DLC.

The following operations can only be undertaken towards spacefaring empires.

Operation	Operation category	Intel category	Phases		Costs			Requirements		Effects
					Launch	Upkeep	Finish		Others
Gather Information	Subterfuge	None	1	4	20	−4	−5	10	None	+5 Maximum infiltration Level for 10 years. Stacks to a maximum of +20, after which further operations only reset the duration. Randomly receive one of:0 4.5% per intel category to gain an intel report one level above current (19.2% with an asset of that category). 45.5% to gain +5 intel. 22.7% to gain +10 intel (12.8% if already have 40 intel or more). 9.1% to gain +15 intel (2.4% if already have 50 intel or more).
Spark Diplomatic Incident	Manipulation	Diplomacy	3	5	30	−5	−10	25	Communications with 4+ empires Gestalt Consciousness target Fanatic Purifiers target	Target suffers a diplomatic event or envoy event
Prepare Sleeper Cells	Subterfuge	Government	2	6	45	−6	None	30	None	+1 Operation Skill and no Spy Network Decay for 15 years Can sacrifice an asset to double the duration
Acquire Asset	Subterfuge	Government	3	5	45	−6	−15	30	None	Acquires a random asset against the target empire
Extort Favors	Manipulation	Diplomacy	3	6	60	−7	−20	35	Genocidal Genocidal target	80% chance to gain +1 favor from the target 20% chance to gain +2 favors from the target
Smear Campaign	Manipulation	Diplomacy	3	7	60	−7	−20	35	Communications with 4+ empires	Target's Federation loses −20 cohesion If target is not part of a Federation, it loses −100 opinion with a random empire
Steal Technology	Subterfuge	Technology	3	8	80	−8	One of: −20 −30	40	Enigmatic Engineering target At least 6 years since the last Steal Technology operation	+30% Research progress in a random technology If target has no technology you don't have, gain +1000 research in each category instead With a Hacker or Memory Cache asset, can give the target −10% research speed for one year at the cost of 10 infiltration and 25 influence Additional options on superior codebreaking:0 Research backdoor Requirements: Relative codebreaking/encryption > 1.4, Subterfuge asset or Technology asset Cost: −1 Technology asset, or −1 Subterfuge asset if you don't have a Technology asset Effect: +10% Research Speed for two years. Steal extra technology Requirements: Smooth exit, Subterfuge asset and Technology asset, 16.7% chance (or 37.5% with relative codebreaking/encryption > 1.6) Cost: −1 Technology asset, −10 infiltration Effect: Gain 10% progress in a random technology the target has and you don't.
Sabotage Starbase	Sabotage	Military	3	9	100	−9	One of: −30 −45	45	Target Starbase with a non-Shipyard module or building	If any non-shipyard modules are present, destroys a random non-shipyard module, otherwise destroys a random building. Additional options on success:0 Collateral Damage (Module) Requirements: Sabotage asset and starbase has at least 2 non-shipyard modules, base 16.7% chance (50% with a technology asset, no military asset, and relative codebreaking/encryption > 0.6) Cost: −1 Technology asset Effect: Target starbase loses random non-shipyard module. Collateral Damage (Platform) Requirements: Sabotage asset, at least 2 volatile motes and starbase has a defense platform, base 16.7% chance (50% with a military asset, no technology asset, and relative codebreaking/encryption > 0.6) Cost: −2 volatile motes Effect: Target starbase loses a random defense platform
Arm Privateers	Provocation	Economy	3	10	180	−12	−60	60	At least 3 years since any empire successfully armed privateers in this empire	A scaling pirate fleet attacks one of the target's systems Target's fleet power Ships 0-299 1 300-599 2 600-999 6 1000-1999 7 2000-3999 11 4000-7999 14 8000-11999 20 12000-19999 26 20000-29999 34 30000+ 38
Crisis Beacon	Provocation	Technology	3	12	320	−16	−80	80	Endgame crisis, Gray Tempest or Great Khan 4 years cooldown	The nearest crisis fleet attacks the target's closest system
Imperium: Weaken Imperial Authority	Subterfuge	Technology	3	7	60	−7	−15	35	Galactic Imperium member Galactic Emperor target	Galactic Imperium loses −20 Imperial Authority
Imperium: Target Seditionists	Subterfuge	Technology	3	7	60	−7	None	35	Galactic Emperor Galactic Imperium member target Target is a rival or undermining Imperial Authority	Target empire cannot undermine Imperial Authority for 5 years
Imperium: Spark Rebellion	Subterfuge	Technology	5	11	250	−14	−50	70	Galactic Imperium member Galactic Emperor target Imperial authority 50 or less	Declares war against the Galactic Emperor with the Restore Community casus belli Every member of the Galactic Imperium will be asked to join either side This operation will be terminated if imperial authority is 80 or higher when a phase concludes
Consume Star	Sabotage	Military	3	11	250	−9	None	60	Devourer's Egg Sac modifier	All colonies in the target's capital system are destroyed unless the target completes a special project in time
Lure the Kaleidoscope	Sabotage	Economy	3	4	20	−5	None	10	The Kaleidoscope situation Target's empire capital does not have a Planetary Shield Generator	The Kaleidoscope situation is moved to the targeted empire's capital

Assets

Assets are characters gained from the Acquire Asset operation and can be assigned to improve the skill of any operation. Each asset grants +4 skill bonus per category that matches with the operation. Some operations allow for sacrificing an asset to obtain a greater reward. Each asset also increases the maximum infiltration the spy network can reach by +5.

An asset that is assigned to a Gather Information operation gives a 50% chance that the intel gained matches the asset's intel category.

Operation category	Intel category	Non-Gestalt asset	Hive Mind asset	Machine Intelligence asset
Subterfuge	Diplomacy	Clerk	Ephapse Relay	Engagement Protocol
Subterfuge	Economy	Economist	Labor Drone	Logistics System
Subterfuge	Government	Bureaucrat	Synapse Drone	Coordination System
Subterfuge	Military	Junior Officer	Warrior Drone	War Algorithm
Subterfuge	Technology	Scientist	Research Drone	Research Database
Manipulation	Diplomacy	Newscaster	Pheromone Emitter
Manipulation	Economy	Pop Icon	Resource Distribution Node
Manipulation	Government	Agitator	Behavioral Regulator
Manipulation	Military	Veteran	Subspace Tendril
Manipulation	Technology	Academic	Cortex Node
Sabotage	Diplomacy	Attache		Dispatch Uplink
Sabotage	Economy	Laborer		Resource Pylon
Sabotage	Government	Criminal Underling		Command Relay
Sabotage	Military	Arms Smuggler		Weapons Platform
Sabotage	Technology	Hacker		Memory Cache

Internal Organs

Internal Organs are a unique asset that can only be obtained by vivisection during an aggressive first contact. Unlike other assets, it provides a bonus to two operation categories: Subterfuge and Manipulation.

References

Game concepts