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Brute force isn't always an acceptable approach; sometimes a little finesse is needed. That would be where the Spy comes in. The Spy discipline contains abilities basic to the art of stealthy combat, so if you find yourself in a situation where an assassination or theft is required, these skills are the ones to upload. The Spy's ability to strike unseen and vanish back into the shadows makes them frightening opponents and valuable allies.
“The conventional army loses if it does not win. The guerrilla wins if he does not lose.” – Henry Alfred Kissinger, b. 1923
Main Abilities:
Strengths:
- Able to sneak unseen past enemies
- Able to sneak attack for large amounts of damage
- Able to get information by tapping Data Nodes
- Can be an effective solo character
Weaknesses:
- Not an effective fighter in drawn-out battles
- Can easily become overwhelmed by groups of enemies if not careful
Play Styles:
Solo play:
While soloing, focus on picking off stragglers with your sneak attacks and then escaping. Wearing down your enemies like this will help you avoid being mobbed. Also, exploration is a Spy specialty. Use Locate Data Node from the Operative discipline along with your Tap Data Node ability to travel across the Matrix in search of rich Data Nodes to plunder.
Group play:
Spies work best when they act as guardian angels for groups. Sticking to the edges of combat, they can use their sneak attack or Poison Knife against already engaged foes for devastating results. Also, their ability to Disable Security Devices can minimize unnecessary encounters by shutting off security cameras or silencing alarms.
Main Abilities:
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Sneak (Operative)
This ability is more than just the process of being stealthy. Sneak allows you to camouflage yourself in the code of the Matrix, making you nearly invisible. Be careful though, as you can be detected by astute enemies, especially if you are in their line of sight. This ability is vital to the craft of the Spy. |
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Spinning Backsweep (Sneak 4)
This is an attack that can only be used on an unaware target. The Spy executes a devastating spinning kick that sweeps the enemy's legs out from under him, knocking the enemy down. Careful though, as if the first hit fails to kill your opponent you will be caught in Close Combat. |
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Side Roll Escape (Sneak 4)
If you find yourself caught in Close Combat (perhaps from having executed a Spinning Backsweep) you can use this ability to nimbly escape. Be prepared to run though, since once you break off you only have a small window to put some distance between you and your erstwhile challenger. |
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Uncanny Sense (Side Roll Escape)
This ability gives you a greater chance to detect and deflect an incoming sneak attack aimed at you. |
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Disable Security Devices (Side Roll Escape, Sneak 5)
The more important something is, the more security it will have. This ability lets you circumvent and disable many security devices that may otherwise bar you from your objective. Always keep an eye out for opportunities to put this ability to good use. |
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Poison Knife (Spinning Backsweep)
A well-placed poisoned blade can sometimes turn a grueling fight into a simple mop-up. Use this ability right before fleeing to give a pursuing enemy a gift that keeps on giving, or use it right before going into a fight to give you the edge you might need to win. |
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Find Weakness (Spinning Backsweep, Sneak 5)
Using the right tool, this ability gives you insight into the weaknesses of your enemies. Use it before a fight to give your damage dealing capabilities a boost against the enemy you examined. |
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Tap Data Node (Sneak 5)
The Matrix is full of hidden pathways, thrumming with information being sent back and forth. The points where these paths intersect are called Data Nodes. This ability lets you use a special tool to skim Raw Data out of these Nodes, which can then be processed into Information, the currency of the Matrix. Use this ability in conjunction with the Locate Data Node ability from the Operative discipline in order to optimize your data-gathering efficiency. |
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Spy (Find Weakness, Disable Security Devices)
The most effective Spies are silent killers. The Spy ability grants a large boost to the damage the Spy does when executing a successful sneak attack, thus giving you a much better chance of killing an enemy within one or two blows. |
Looking Forward:
Anyone who masters the Spy discipline will be able to move on to either the Infiltrator discipline or the Cutthroat discipline. The Cutthroat will expand on the Spy's sneak attack talents and will offer new sneak attacks to take enemies apart with. The Infiltrator gives you new ways to get into restricted areas as well as allowing you to begin using disguise tools to sneak past enemies.
Complementary Disciplines:
Solo:
Loading out the Spy discipline in combination with the Soldier discipline can make for a vicious combination. Sneak attack to begin the combat with the odds in your favor, and then proceed to stomp your enemy in Interlock.
Grouping:
Spies are effective when teamed up with any discipline. Since a Spy will tend to hover around the edges of the group, they generally do well when teamed up with solid solo disciplines like Code Shapers or with groups who have a good balance among themselves that the Spy can then enhance.
Minimum Level: 2
Hints and Tips:
To accomplish one of the most effective guerrilla tactics in the game, sneak attack your enemy, Sideroll Escape, and then Hyper-Sprint away. You can use Hyper-Jump in place of Hyper-Sprint at higher levels for an even more effective getaway.
Using Locate Data Node and Tap Data Node together will yield both experience and Information. This kind of data-mining can be a lucrative way to spend your time — and you never know when you might find something truly special.
You can sneak attack an enemy who is engaged in Close Combat with someone else. Two Spies working together can make short work of most enemies by going back and forth using sneak attacks on enemies to take them apart.
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