Here's ones of my easy tip I used (and I will be using again, once I'll get the money a nice computer ), very handy.
I'll add it soon on my HD guide, if I retrieve my Steam password that is 11
0) You need to have a Castle and be in Imperial Age;
1) Hover your mouse onto the "Spies" icon and look at the prize of the tech;
2) Halve the displayed cost;
3) Drop the two last digits;
4) You know how many villagers your enemy has!
Example 1: If it shows "Cost: 19400 Gold", it means your opponent has 19400/2 = 9700 => 97 villagers
Example 2: If it shows "Cost: 26800 Gold", it means your opponent has 26800/2 = 13400 => 134 villagers
How is it possible?
Well it's very simple, Spies cost rely on enemy villagers solely, and you have to pay 200 gold for each enemy villager.
(Source: http://ageofempires.wikia.com/wiki/Spie ... Empires_II) )
N.B: Beyond 30000 gold, you can't have a precise figure, because the max gold cost is capped to 30000. But really it's not important, as it translates to 150 villagers plus. You can just assume he's going elephants at that point
If you didn't know that already, I hope you're pleased to learn something new about AoC intricacies!
I'll add it soon on my HD guide, if I retrieve my Steam password that is 11
0) You need to have a Castle and be in Imperial Age;
1) Hover your mouse onto the "Spies" icon and look at the prize of the tech;
2) Halve the displayed cost;
3) Drop the two last digits;
4) You know how many villagers your enemy has!
Example 1: If it shows "Cost: 19400 Gold", it means your opponent has 19400/2 = 9700 => 97 villagers
Example 2: If it shows "Cost: 26800 Gold", it means your opponent has 26800/2 = 13400 => 134 villagers
How is it possible?
Well it's very simple, Spies cost rely on enemy villagers solely, and you have to pay 200 gold for each enemy villager.
(Source: http://ageofempires.wikia.com/wiki/Spie ... Empires_II) )
N.B: Beyond 30000 gold, you can't have a precise figure, because the max gold cost is capped to 30000. But really it's not important, as it translates to 150 villagers plus. You can just assume he's going elephants at that point
If you didn't know that already, I hope you're pleased to learn something new about AoC intricacies!