Anomaly
Version
This article is for the PC version of Stellaris only.
An anomaly is represented by survey readings that deviate from what is normal. In Stellaris, anomalies are a feature of the exploration system. When a science ship surveys a celestial body it may identify an anomaly that needs further investigation by the scientist on board. The higher the level of the scientist and the lower the level of the anomaly, the faster the anomaly is investigated. As such, anomalies of higher levels are often best left off until a skilled scientist can study them faster.
When the investigation of an anomaly is complete, an event will pop up that can give various bonuses, such as research points, resources on a planet, or even a special project which requires further research investment to unlock benefits. Certain Ethics occasionally have additional options.
Generation[edit]
Most anomalies are randomly generated as a side-effect of surveying a non-star celestial body. Each surveyed celestial body has a 5% chance of spawning an anomaly, which is increased by 0.5% for every surveyed planet with no anomaly before being reset. Some Leader Traits also affect the chance of finding anomalies.
Anomalies can also be generated by events.
Upon generation, the only information the player is given about an anomaly is its location and its difficulty level, which ranges from 1 (easy) to 10 (very hard).
Anomalies have their own tab in the Situation Log.
Investigation[edit]
To investigate an anomaly, a science ship with a scientist on board must be present at the celestial body where the anomaly is located. Investigating them takes time, which is determined by the level of the scientist minus the difficulty level of the anomaly. The time required (in days) is shown below.
| Level difference | Investigation days |
|---|---|
| +9 (Inconsequential) | 20 |
| +8 (Inconsequential) | 24 |
| +7 (Trivial) | 30 |
| +6 (Trivial) | 35 |
| +5 (Very Easy) | 45 |
| +4 (Very Easy) | 55 |
| +3 (Easy) | 65 |
| +2 (Easy) | 80 |
| +1 (Routine) | 100 |
| 0 (Routine) | 120 |
| Level difference | Investigation days |
|---|---|
| -1 (Routine) | 180 |
| -2 (Challenging) | 300 |
| -3 (Challenging) | 540 |
| -4 (Hard) | 720 |
| -5 (Hard) | 1080 |
| -6 (Very Hard) | 1440 |
| -7 (Very Hard) | 2160 |
| -8 (Hellish) | 2880 |
| -9 (Hellish) | 5760 |
Media Coverage[edit]
A number of anomaly events can be solved in ways that will impact an empire's media views on the empire if not 
Gestalt Consciousness. Such outcomes bring a 
Happiness modifier for 10 years.
| Media Coverage modifier | Happiness |
|---|---|
| Extremely Positive | +40% |
| Very Positive | +25% |
| Positive | +10% |
| Negative | -10% |
| Very Negative | -20% |
| Extremely Negative | -30% |
| Governance | Crime • Empire • Ethics • Government • Policies • Edicts • Leader • Factions • Population • Species rights • Traditions |
| Exploration | Exploration • Map • Species • Anomaly • Events • FTL • Fallen empire • Pre-FTL species • Spaceborne aliens |
| Colonization | Colonization • Celestial body • Planetary management • Economy • Technology • Construction • Starbase • Ship |
| Diplomacy | Diplomacy • Trade • Subject empire • Federations • AI personalities |
| Warfare | Warfare • Space warfare • Land warfare • Ship designer |
| Others | Traits • Terraforming • Pop modification • Slavery • Crisis • Preset empires • AI players • Easter eggs |
