Russia and Espionage

[Skagzill]

So with rebalance of Espionage ideas, it got me thinking aren't they now really good for Russia?

Combined total AE reduction of 30% is great, considering you would be only Orthodox after awhile so it keeps coalition at bay.

Area cost fabriation (even if religious is taken for CB) will greatly save on ADM in a long run.

Combination with offensive gives extra diplomat, 30%+from spy network siege, which improves coquest speed greatly.

Corruption is a non factor between NI, last idea in the group and various policies (like ADM-ESP)

Nice little 20% adv discount (NI and idea 4) and spying for tech helps maintain tech at current levels if you fall behind due to institution lag.

Side note: with FL now giving Leader slots Russia with Offensive can field siginificantly stronger armies due to leader pips in Offensive, Cossack privilige and AT.

So are Esponage ideas viable in Russia or DIp/Influence are still undisputed kings?

 

[PDXJon]

With deus vault and missions, I don’t see an issue with fabricating claims. The AE reduction with deus vault, icon, Russian idea, and espionage would be -65%. Without espionage, it would be -45%. Is that 20% worth it? I don’t think it is. You could take more land with diplo or faster sieges with offensive.

 

[Astalic]

Making claim for vassals is first, so i guess taking espionage for the first idea (you can give it up later) for a vasal heavy early game is a good option IMO. Something like admin/influence/espionnage first idea (with integration cost stacking and vassal feeding) can be an interesting strategy.

And while you feed your vassal you can spend your ADM in admin idea rather than coring.

But outside of this and AE reduction stacking espionage isn't that usefull.
(EDIT : By the way, with Russia, you should look if the -0.2 coruption and some debasing currency is a viable strategy. Would be an interesting use of espionage)

 

[AvengedK1ng]

So with rebalance of Espionage ideas, it got me thinking aren't they now really good for Russia?

Combined total AE reduction of 30% is great, considering you would be only Orthodox after awhile so it keeps coalition at bay.

True, but it competes with the advisors of diplomatic for ae improve relations

Area cost fabriation (even if religious is taken for CB) will greatly save on ADM in a long run.

You get this from tsardom

Combination with offensive gives extra diplomat, 30%+from spy network siege, which improves coquest speed greatly.

You're not always able to get spy network up to size if rapidly switching conquests

Corruption is a non factor between NI, last idea in the group and various policies (like ADM-ESP)

So debase instead of taking loans?

Nice little 20% adv discount (NI and idea 4) and spying for tech helps maintain tech at current levels if you fall behind due to institution lag.

That's only 20% when you can expand faster and save 20%, also the estate privlieges for advisor cost

Side note: with FL now giving Leader slots Russia with Offensive can field siginificantly stronger armies due to leader pips in Offensive, Cossack privilige and AT.

Agreed

 

[Bouchart]

Being Christian, Russia would do better with Influence or Diplomatic to go for personal unions. Also you can eventually get so large and powerful that AE doesn't matter at all.