How do we use Scouts?

[Demosthenes]

You know the more I play this in SP the less I use my Scouts, except for the whole "bloodhunting scouts" which are so popular in other threads . Especially after the first 10-15 turns when your immediate expansion area is pretty clear. The reports on independents from Dominion seems way more accurate than most scouts as well. If I have Spy's I might use one or two to spot for my big armies. But other than using the Scouts to tote gems I don't use 'em much.

I can see how in MP you'd be more worried about what your creative human opponents are doing but they are more likely to have adequate provincial defenses to spot you as well.

So let's hear it folks... What do you do with your scouts?

[ February 27, 2004, 00:18: Message edited by: Demosthenes ]

In my experience I use scouts all the time. Knowing the composition and formation of your opponent (In MP or SP) allows you to take advantage of it. Not only for combat, but also for monitoring movements of enemies and allies as they move around the map and take and build provinces.

PD is not very effective at all in stopping Scouts and even less effective in spies. There is also no reason to have a patrolling army in each and every province (as it's economically unfeasible). Also certain nations are naturally bad at patrolling (Ermor for example, or most Underwater nations forget or don't feel the need to patrol) so it's an advantage in that regard.

Scouts are one of the most important thought processes of my turns.

[Gandalf Parker]

In MP games scouts can be VERY useful. Watching other players attacks on indeps or players so you can see his tactics.

[Saber Cherry]

Originally posted by Demosthenes:
You know the more I play this in SP the less I use my Scouts, except for the whole "bloodhunting scouts" which are so popular in other threads . Especially after the first 10-15 turns when your immediate expansion area is pretty clear. The reports on independents from Dominion seems way more accurate than most scouts as well. If I have Spy's I might use one or two to spot for my big armies. But other than using the Scouts to tote gems I don't use 'em much.

I can see how in MP you'd be more worried about what your creative human opponents are doing but they are more likely to have adequate provincial defenses to spot you as well.

So let's hear it folks... What do you do with your scouts?

Spies are much better than scouts in every respect except 2:

1) Scouts are easier to get;
2) Scouts are cheaper for slaving.

I use scouts insidiously. Some people think 0 defense is enough. If I can take a province without fighting, I never really attacked them, did I?

Scouts are good platforms for Lifelong Protection, Soul Contract, Fever Fetish, and such. They also have secret uses.

Edit: In many of my games, I buy 1 scout per turn per scout-province until the mid game.

[ February 27, 2004, 02:31: Message edited by: Saber Cherry ]

[st.patrik]

I don't bother with scouts in SP, because the AI is so predictable, but in MP they are absolutely necessary - otherwise you don't know if you're attacking a huge powerful nation or a small weak nation. Information is the most valuable resource in war, and MP dominions is no exception.

[NTJedi]

One of my uses for scouts:

During Mid-Game... take a scout with two experience stars. Give him the eye of aiming, longbow of war, and some item which raises strength.

Now you've got one fellow shooting lots of arrows with precision of 17... and his strength adds to the damage.