Counter Intel- using lower level projects

[Arak Koba]

Once you discover Counter Intel levels 2 and 3, is there really any reason to use a lower level than the maximum?

[Cylapse]

Maybe to be cheap? *w* Or if you know a weaker empire (like a neutral - not to diss them, I am having trouble with an AMAZINGLY tough neutral as it is, Im left with little option but to glass his homeworld, and its slow going) then I suppose you could use the weaker intel project if you know that the threat is not as great and you want to pump it out quicker? Do the prices change at all? I dont recall..

Also... what happened to espionage? I liked learning **** about enemies, not just blowing up their ships....

[Suicide Junkie]

There is no reason to use lower level projects.

The key to defense is having points STORED in defense projects. Completing a defense project DESTROYS everything you've put in so far.

When a defense project is almost full, shift it down to the end of the queue, where it can sit and defend you.

[Cylapse]

*LOL* That's awesome, I never considered it...
Keep your people on 'standby' more or less, good call...

So is there no espionage available now?
(I cant help but think I am spelling that word wrong)

Most of the intel operations seem like direct attacks, not very intel like ya know? The Mimic is cool, granted, but I was hoping for more spy-activity. Seeing what treaties they have, stealing some ship designs, whatever...

[Skulky]

also IIRC higher level projects work a lot better then lvl 1 or 2. i always forget to shift to the endof the queue so i get messed up hella bad when im not paying attention

that was some intel leak there for anyone playing me but i might just be lying mind game mind games

[Suicide Junkie]

Half of the Intel items are espionage. Most of the ones the AIs choose randomly seem to be espionage, and thus useless to the AI, and harmless to me.

From the Gold intelops file, with non-espionage ones stripped out:
================================================== =====================================
INTELLIGENCE PROJECTS DATA FILE
================================================== =====================================

Type:
Ship - Locations, Ship - Concentrations, Ship - Construction Info,
Ship Designs - Steal,
Planet - Info, Planet - Locations, Points - Change, Points - Steal,
Research - Steal, Research - Delete Project, Intel - Delete Project,
Politics - Intercept Messages
Politics - Treaty Info, System - Info, Empire - Info,
Unit Designs - Steal, Tech Level - Info