Stack Spies or Split Spies for Better Intel?

[Yik Lin]

Quite new to the game and still trying to figure out some of the mechanics.

Some nations have multiple intel zones. As a specific example, I have 3 spies and I am trying to spy on Italy (i.e. Build Intel Network), which as Latium, Sicily, Campania etc.

Is it better to...
(A) stack all 3 spies into one region = 0.4% + 0.2% + 0.1% = +0.7% per day
OR
(B) split the spies into one region each = +0.4% per day for each region

Even more specifically, the overall Intel Network modifier adds to Army/Navy/Airforce Intel in the Intel Ledger, so I want to get that modifier as high as possible.

Anyone can enlighten on whether (A) or (B) is better?

Note: Please don't digress into advising how spies can be better used in operations etc etc. I am just trying to figure out this specific mechanic on the general intel number.

Thanks so much, veterans, for helping!


Yiren.

 

[FocusedHope]

Intel from intel networks is based on coverage of the whole nation, i.e. all their states. I'm not sure if it's weighted by victory points or core/non-core or anything, but I know that if you cover e.g. Brandenburg and Wurttemburg you get more intel over Germany than if you cover only one of the two.

Spies building an intel network will spread it to neighboring states, and if this causes multiple spies' intel networks from different states to "link up", it'll grow faster and spread farther (but again, not sure on the details). So you only need one spy every 3-4 states to cover everything in between.

In other words, for the purpose of intel from intel networks, spreading spies out is completely superior to stacking them. I think the only reason to stack them is if you want to build up the required intel network strength for a given operation as quickly as possible, since that only cares about the state with the highest intel network strength.

 

[HugsAndSnuggles]

In other words, for the purpose of intel from intel networks, spreading spies out is completely superior to stacking them. I think the only reason to stack them is if you want to build up the required intel network strength for a given operation as quickly as possible, since that only cares about the state with the highest intel network strength.

Is it? They do increase their range quite dramatically when stacked, while getting network up faster (and to a higher level when counter-intelligence is involved). Island countries might be the only exception, where you have so spread operatives around in order to have complete coverage.

 

[FLUX2226]

Is it? They do increase their range quite dramatically when stacked, while getting network up faster (and to a higher level when counter-intelligence is involved). Island countries might be the only exception, where you have so spread operatives around in order to have complete coverage.

I didn't notice stacked spies giving much of an increase in coverage, would have to test it. But regardless of the answer, once in-game it's easy to see which "combination" gives the biggest network, so OP can go with that one. From what I've seen, network size is final and doesn't increase over time, only its strength increases.

The invisible ink upgrade will increase the intel gained from your networks (but it still can't go beyond the 30% cap), which is something I think is easy to miss.
The intelligence upgrades for the four branches do that as well (since they multiply the total intel for their branch), but you probably knew that already.

 

[Yik Lin]

Thanks, FocusedHope, and HugsAndSnuggles. Seems like the verdict is still unclear on whether stacking or spreading gives better intel score. Hoping for some other opinions and experiences.

But regardless of the answer, once in-game it's easy to see which "combination" gives the biggest network, so OP can go with that one.

Thanks, Flux2226. I am in an Ironman game, so I can't experiment. I can only see that (as per my original post)...

(A) if I stack all 3 spies into one region = 0.4% + 0.2% + 0.1% = +0.7% per day for one region
OR
(B) if split the spies into one region each = +0.4% per day for each region

Still no way to tell whether [A] or give better over all army intel for that nation.

 

[eastcoastceojam]

Thanks for making this thread.

Ever since La Resistance DLC was released, I have been hoping for a wiki article on Intel- how to gain it most efficiently, and the effects it can offer in battle. I have plenty of theories based on my own experiences in game, but I don't know for sure if what I'm doing is as effective as it could be.

 

[FLUX2226]

I just did a bunch of testing, here are my results:

More operatives working on the same network (whether stacked or spread out) increases the size and makes its strength grow faster. Stacking operatives in a single region makes the network strength grow even faster, while spreading them out and linking them up (always link them up, never build isolated networks in one country unless it consists of multiple small islands and they have little counterintelligence, e.g. Free France) results in an even bigger network size. Maximum network strength is *not* affected by whether you stack or spread them, only the total number of operatives involved in the network compared to enemy counterintelligence matters.

Network intel depends on the target country's size, a single operative in Paraguay will easily break the 30% cap while three stacked operatives in the Soviet Union struggle to even reach 15%. If stacking your operatives gives you enough coverage to reach 30% network intel (most nations can be fully covered by three stacked operatives in a central region), it is the preferable method as it makes the strength go up faster and the advantage of spreading (larger network) is gone.
If your target nation is too large to be sufficiently covered by your stacked operatives, it is better to spread them out. Especially if your target has high counterintelligence on top, which reduces your network's maximum strength and further lowers your intel - better coverage will at least partially compensate for this.

TL;DR: If stacking in a central region gives you (almost) full coverage, stack. If it doesn't, spread.

 

[aletoledo]

What I've noticed while playing Japan, is that to spread the network to certain areas of China you have to use spies in two regions. I need the network to gain the bonuses for naval invasions. If I'm not doing a naval invasion and simply need to run a mission (e.g. collaboration), then I stack the spies for a faster network buildup.

 

[Yik Lin]

I just did a bunch of testing, here are my results:

More operatives working on the same network (whether stacked or spread out) increases the size and makes its strength grow faster. Stacking operatives in a single region makes the network strength grow even faster, while spreading them out and linking them up (always link them up, never build isolated networks in one country unless it consists of multiple small islands and they have little counterintelligence, e.g. Free France) results in an even bigger network size. Maximum network strength is *not* affected by whether you stack or spread them, only the total number of operatives involved in the network compared to enemy counterintelligence matters.

Network intel depends on the target country's size, a single operative in Paraguay will easily break the 30% cap while three stacked operatives in the Soviet Union struggle to even reach 15%. If stacking your operatives gives you enough coverage to reach 30% network intel (most nations can be fully covered by three stacked operatives in a central region), it is the preferable method as it makes the strength go up faster and the advantage of spreading (larger network) is gone.
If your target nation is too large to be sufficiently covered by your stacked operatives, it is better to spread them out. Especially if your target has high counterintelligence on top, which reduces your network's maximum strength and further lowers your intel - better coverage will at least partially compensate for this.

TL;DR: If stacking in a central region gives you (almost) full coverage, stack. If it doesn't, spread.

Thanks, Spymaster Flux 2226. Definitely a great intelligence briefing right there!