Hands-On Usage
add_intel is commonly used in intelligence events or decision scripts to simulate intelligence agencies accumulating intelligence on specific countries after completing tasks, such as deploying spies or rewarding intelligence points after completing intelligence operations. It is also suitable for providing players with initial intelligence advantages against potential enemy nations after completing specific focuses.
# After completing the "Infiltrate Polish Intelligence Network" decision, Germany gains intelligence bonuses against Poland
GER = {
add_intel = {
target = POL
civilian_intel = 5
army_intel = 3
}
}
Synergy
[compare_intel_with](/wiki/trigger/compare_intel_with): Before and after executing add_intel, this trigger is commonly used to detect whether the current intelligence level has reached a threshold, determining whether to continue accumulating intelligence or trigger subsequent events.
[create_intelligence_agency](/wiki/effect/create_intelligence_agency): Typically establish an intelligence agency first before beginning intelligence accumulation; the combination of both forms a complete intelligence system initialization process.
[add_opinion_modifier](/wiki/effect/add_opinion_modifier): When intelligence operations are discovered, it can work in reverse coordination with add_intel (one side gains intelligence while the other suffers diplomatic penalties), simulating the dual impact of espionage events.
[country_event](/wiki/effect/country_event): After intelligence accumulation reaches a certain level, trigger events that commonly work in tandem with add_intel within the same option block, forming a chain structure of "intelligence operation completed → intelligence reward → trigger subsequent storyline".
Common Pitfalls
- Incorrect target specification:
target must be a concrete country tag (such as POL) or a valid scope keyword (such as ROOT, FROM). Beginners often mistakenly write province IDs or state IDs, causing the script to silently fail and the intelligence to not be added at all.
- Calling outside COUNTRY scope:
add_intel only works under COUNTRY scope. If mistakenly written in STATE scope (for example, inside an every_owned_state block), the game will not execute the command and may not produce a clear error message. Ensure the outer scope is a country.