Scouting
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Scouting is the act of sending a reconnaissance march to another player's city to gather intelligence before a potential attack. Scout reports reveal valuable information about the target's defenses, troop counts, and resource stockpiles.
Overview
Before attacking another player, skilled commanders always scout first. A scout march travels to the target city and returns with a report detailing what defenders it encountered. This intelligence helps you decide whether an attack is worthwhile and how to compose your attacking force.
What Scouts Reveal
A successful scout report typically includes:
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Troop Count | Number and type of defending troops in the Wall garrison |
| Troop Tiers | Whether the defender has T1, T2, T3+ troops |
| Trap Count | Any defensive traps placed around the city |
| Resource Stockpile | Amount of unprotected resources available to plunder |
| Hero Assignment | Sometimes reveals the defending heroes assigned to garrison |
Scout vs. Counter-Scout
Scouting is not foolproof — defenders can counter it:
- The Watchtower detects incoming scouts and alerts the defender
- A high-level Watchtower may identify who is scouting
- Certain research technologies can reduce the amount of information scouts gather
- Defenders with very large garrisons may deter potential attackers even when scouted
How to Scout
- Tap on the target city on the world map.
- Select "Scout" from the action menu.
- Your scouts are sent automatically — no resource cost beyond the march.
- When scouts return, view the Scout Report in your reports tab.
Scout Report Interpretation
Reading a scout report effectively:
- **No troops + lots of resources** → Easy target, low risk
- **High troop count, high tier** → Dangerous, consider attacking with overwhelming force or skipping
- **Protected resources (at/below Storehouse cap)** → Attack may not yield meaningful loot even if won
- **Trap-heavy city** → Traps deal damage to attackers before combat begins — factor this in
Sending Scouts Without Being Detected
Some research technologies can reduce scout visibility, making your reconnaissance harder for the defender's Watchtower to detect. This is useful for ambush-style attacks.
Tips
- Always scout before attacking: Attacking without scouting is gambling — the defender may have a much stronger garrison than expected.
- Scout regularly during events: State vs State and other events create rapidly changing military landscapes — scout before every attack.
- Check resources in the report: If the defender's resources are fully protected by Storehouse, your attack will win nothing even if you defeat their troops.
- React to being scouted: If your Watchtower alerts you that you've been scouted, activate a Peace Shield or reinforce your garrison before an attack arrives.
- Scout alliance targets too: Before a coordinated alliance attack, one player scouts while others prepare — efficient division of labor.