Anomaly

Version

This article has been verified for the current PC version (3.4) of the game.

An anomaly is represented by survey readings that deviate from what is normal. When a science ship surveys a celestial body it may identify an anomaly that needs further investigation. Anomalies have their own tab in the Situation Log.

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.

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. The Meticulous trait and Map The Stars edict also increase the chance of finding anomalies by 10%.

Level[edit | edit source]

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. As such, anomalies of higher levels are often best left off until a skilled scientist can study them faster.

Level difference	+9	+8	+7	+6	+5	+4	+3	+2	+1	0	−1	−2	−3	−4	−5	−6	−7	−8	−9
Investigation days	20	24	30	35	45	55	65	80	100	120	180	300	540	720	1080	1440	2160	2880	5760

Anomaly list[edit | edit source]

Each anomaly outcome can only take place once. Once each outcome of an anomaly has taken place the anomaly can no longer be found again.

Anomaly	Level	Celestial body	Possible outcomes
Icy Plains	4	Arctic	Ancient Mining Site planetary feature and scaled Engineering Research
Arid and Abandoned	6	Arid	Choice between 100-1000 Minerals or a special project to gain the Extensive Sensor Searches edict
Arid Wastes	3	Arid	Planet gains +50% Energy from Jobs for 2 years after being colonized and 2 Frozen Gas Lake planetary features
Crash Site	2	Asteroid	Creates the Seeds of Destruction archaeological site
Abandoned Station	3	Asteroid	50 Influence Choice between 100-1000 Energy or 100-1000 Minerals
Alien Machine	3	Asteroid	Choice between 100-1000 Minerals and scaled Physics Research or creating a wormhole to a random system
An Asteroid, Carved	3	Asteroid	Shrines to the Old Gods event chain
An Invitation	3	Asteroid	Option to spend 200 Energy to gain a random reward
Asteroid Collision	1	Asteroid	+3 Minerals deposit Choice between the Asteroid Encryption and Asteroid Relay Stations empire modifiers
Asteroid Waves	1	Asteroid	Scaled Physics Research +2 Engineering Research deposit and +2 Society Research deposit Science ship scientist gains the Expertise: Statecraft trait if not Machine Intelligence and Expertise: Biology trait if Machine Intelligence Choice between +2 Physics Research deposit and +2 Society Research deposit or scaled Physics Research and 150-2000 Energy
Astonishing Asteroids	6	Asteroid	Choice between 100-1000 Minerals or a special project to gain the next mining technology
Covered in Debris	3	Asteroid	+3 Minerals deposit Choice between +3 Alloys deposit or the next Afterburners technology if not yet researched
Crashed Ship	3	Asteroid	Scaled Engineering Research +3 Minerals deposit
Dimensional Disturbance	6	Asteroid	Scaled Engineering Research and Scaled Physics Research 1 extradimensional science ship
Docking Hatch	3	Asteroid	100-1000 Energy +3 Engineering Research deposit
Dustbowl	1	Asteroid	+3 Engineering Research deposit +6 Engineering Research deposit Ion Thrusters technology or 100-500 Unity if already researched
Energy Emissions	1	Asteroid	Scaled Physics Research +3 Physics Research deposit
Lost Soul	2	Asteroid	+3 Minerals deposit
Mind the Minerals	2	Asteroid	+3 Alloys deposit
Mystical	7	Asteroid	Special project to gain 25 Influence
Mineral Cluster	3	Asteroid	250-5000 Minerals and science ship scientist gains the Carefree trait Science ship scientist gains a random expertise trait Special project to gain scaled Society Research and give the science ship scientist the Expertise: Statecraft trait Can choose to instead gain 40-100 Influence if Xenophobe or Fanatic Xenophobe Special project to gain 40-100 Influence or 250-5000 energy and +20 Opinion with a random empire
Odd Readings	6	Asteroid	Scaled Society Research Choice between 100-1000 Minerals or a special project to gain a science ship
Orbital Speed Demon	4	Asteroid	Orbital Speed Demon event chain
Radiating Asteroid	7	Asteroid	+1 Dark Matter deposit
Spacecraft Remains	4	Asteroid	Scientist leader and either Automated Exploration Protocols, Synchronized Defenses or Subspace Sensors technology
Unknown Origin	1	Asteroid	Scaled Society Research +3 Society Research deposit +1 Alloys deposit
Unknown Insides	3	Asteroid	Choice between +4 Energy deposit or a special project to gain +3 Minerals deposit
Unusual Temporal Fluctuations	5	Asteroid	+3 Physics Research deposit
A Curious Signal	2	Barren	Choice between 150-1000 Unity or +10% Citizen Pop Happiness and +100% Xenophile Ethics Attraction for 5 years
Looking Down	6	Barren	+2 Engineering Research deposit and +2 Physics Research deposit Special project to give the science ship scientist the Expertise: Military Theory trait Can choose to instead gain 40-100 Influence if Pacifist or Fanatic Pacifist
On the Barren Plains	5	Barren	Limbo event chain
Strange Emissions	4	Barren	Choice between 100-1000 Energy, 40-100 Influence or scaled Society Research Choice between 100-1000 Energy, 40-100 Influence or a special project to gain scaled Society Research
Winking	5	Barren	Choice between +4 Physics Research deposit or spending 200 Energy for a 50% chance to terraform the planet into an Arid World
Continental Findings	1	Continental	Planet gains the Lush modifier Choice between 150-2000 Energy and Minerals or a special project to gain the Master's Teachings: Diplomatic Trust edict
Buried in the Sand	4	Desert	Choice between +2 Engineering Research deposit or a robot admiral Choice between 150-2000 Energy and Minerals or a special project to gain the Master's Teachings: The Greater Good edict
Desolate Sands	1	Desert	Planet gains +30% Physics Research from Jobs and 3 Quicksand Basin blockers
Dunes	3	Desert	100-1000 Energy Science ship scientist gains the Towel-bearer trait Special project to gain 1 corvette Can choose to instead gain 40-100 Influence if Xenophobe or Fanatic Xenophobe
Cold Hard Potential	3	Frozen	+6 Minerals deposit and a scientist leader Next shields technology +20% Anomaly Research Speed and +20% Survey Speed for 10 years Choice between 150-2000 Energy and 500 Consumer Goods or a special project to gain the Master's Teachings: Philosophical Mindet edict
Cold Wastes	2	Frozen	+5% Happiness for 20 years Choice between scaled Physics Research or a scientist leader
Ice Lit	3	Frozen	Blue Lasers technology or 100 scientist experience if already researched
Something Smells	2	Frozen	Special project to gain scaled Society Research
Minesweeper	2	Gaia	Science ship scientist gains the Expertise: New Worlds trait
Paradise Anticipated	3	Gaia	Scaled Society Research
Aerostat Structures	1	Gas Giant	Scaled Society Research +3 Engineering Research deposit
Atmospheric Object	4	Gas Giant	Scaled Engineering Research Scaled Physics Research
Atmospheric Storms	1	Gas Giant	+3 Physics Research deposit Choice between +3 Physics Research deposit or a special project to gain scaled Physics Research and +6 Energy deposit
Cargo Pod	1	Gas Giant	Choice between 100-1000 Alloys, 100-1000 Energy or scaled Society Research Can choose to instead gain 1 Minor Artifacts if Ancient Relics is installed Choice between 100 Influence or +5% Research Speed and −5% Monthly Unity for 10 years
Clouds Dance	1	Gas Giant	The Gas Giant is terraformed into a Barren World and the science ship scientist gains 200 experience
Gas Giant Ship	5	Gas Giant	Choice between 50 Influence or a special project to gain a cruiser
Gas Giant Signal	5	Gas Giant	Gas Giant Signal event chain
Ice Ice Giant	6	Gas Giant	+1 Zro deposit
Promising Moon	1	Gas Giant	+3 Energy deposit Choice between +5 Minerals deposit or 1200 Minerals
Space Debris	1	Gas Giant	+3 Minerals deposit Special project to give the science ship scientist the Maniacal trait
Terminal Orbit	5	Gas Giant	Special project to gain scaled Physics Research
Heated Rhythm	2	Molten	+2 Engineering Research deposit and 150-2000 energy
Drops in the Ocean	3	Ocean	+10% Society Research from Jobs for 10 years, +10% Happiness for 10 years and gain the Improved Working Environment edict
Floating Value	3	Ocean	Choice between 250-5000 Minerals and 125-250 Influence
Impossible Organism	6	Toxic	Impossible Organism event chain
Kaleidoscopic	2	Ocean	Science ship scientist gains 200 experience
The Winter of the Fallen	3	Tomb	Special project to gain 125-250 Influence
Pigment Poison	7	Toxic	+10% Happiness for 20 years
Poison-coated	2	Toxic	Option to pay 100 Energy to issue a special project to gain +6 Minerals deposit
Signs of Former Habitation	1	Toxic	+2 Society Research deposit and +2 Engineering Research deposit +2 Society Research deposit and +2 Physics Research deposit
Toxic Construction	8	Toxic	+6 Minerals deposit
Toxicity	3	Toxic	+6 Engineering Research deposit, Improved Energy Initiative edict and science ship scientist gains the Expertise: Propulsion trait
Among the Vines and Trees	3	Tropical	Planet gains +20% Pop Growth Speed and +10% Happiness
Tropical Oddities	3	Tropical	Planet gains +20% Society Research from Jobs and 2 Noxious Swamp blockers
Scurrying	4	Tropical	40-100 Influence
Wooden Hegemony	3	Tropical	Special project to give the science ship scientist 200 experience
Confounding Cosmic Rays	5	Dry Planet	+3 Physics Research deposit Next reactor technology
Possible Inhabitants	3	Dry Planet	Choice between 100-1000 Minerals or a special project to gain 150-2000 Minerals, 6 pops or the Mineral Mapping empire modifier
Spotty Greenery	4	Wet Planet	Hyperfertile Valley planetary feature Special project to add the Ancient Mining Site planetary feature and give the science ship scientist the Expertise: Industry trait
Rainbow in the Dark	5	Black Hole	+9 Physics Research deposit Scaled Physics Research and science ship scientist gains the Paranoid trait
Ancient Shipyard	4	Any Uninhabitable Planet	Special project to gain 3 pirate corvettes or a pirate destroyer
Asteroid in Orbit	1	Any Uninhabitable Planet	+3 Engineering Research deposit Can choose to instead gain the Asteroid Thrusters empire modifier with Calamitous Birth origin +2 Rare Crystals deposit
Atmospheric Anomaly	3	Any Uninhabitable Planet	+4 Society Research deposit
Life Signs	2	Any Uninhabitable Planet	+3 Society Research deposit +3 Minerals deposit Choice between +4 Society Research deposit or +3 Food deposit Choice between +4 Engineering Research deposit or +3 Alloys deposit Can choose to instead gain +5 Alloys deposit with Catalytic Processing civic Can choose to instead gain +4 Society deposit with Agrarian Idyll civic Choice between scaled Physics Research, scaled Society Research, 250-1500 Unity or +4 Engineering Research deposit Special project to gain +4 Society Research deposit and scaled Society Research +3 Society Research deposit and special project to gain scaled Society Research and the Living Metal technology if not already researched
Doppler Effect	3	Any Uninhabitable Planet	The Ransomers event chain
Massive Impact	2	Any Uninhabitable Planet	Scaled Physics Research +3 Minerals deposit
Monoliths	3	Any Uninhabitable Planet	Scaled Engineering Research
Peculiar Crater	7	Any Uninhabitable Planet	+1 Living Metal deposit and Living Metal technology if not already researched
Projecting	3	Any Uninhabitable Planet	Special project to gain +3 Engineering Research deposit
Signs of Battle	4	Any Uninhabitable Planet	Special project to gain +3 Engineering Research deposit
Solar Sailer	2	Any Uninhabitable Planet	Scaled Engineering Research
Space Station	1	Any Uninhabitable Planet	A random celestial body with a deposit within borders gains a mining station
Strange Mountain Formation	3	Any Uninhabitable Planet	Special project to gain +3 Engineering Research deposit and +3 Society Research deposit Can choose a second special project that will grant a Skeletal Giant Army if the empire has the Reanimators or Permanent Employment civic Choice between +4 Society Research deposit or a special project to gain +8 Society Research deposit and scaled Society Research Can choose to instead gain +10 Food deposit if Devouring Swarm
Surface Beacon	1	Any Uninhabitable Planet	+4 Minerals deposit
Surface Writing	2	Any Uninhabitable Planet	+3 Society Research deposit
Unidentified Object	2	Any Uninhabitable Planet	Special project to gain scaled Engineering Research
Unusual Energy Readings	2	Any Uninhabitable Planet	Scaled Engineering Research Scaled Physics Research +3 Physics Research deposit Choice between 200 Influence or +10% Monthly Engineering Research for 10 years
Weak Signal	2	Any Uninhabitable Planet	Scaled Society Research Scaled Society Research
A Feel for Steel	2	Any Habitable Planet	Metal Boneyards planetary features Choice between 250-5000 Energy or a special project to gain the Master's Teachings: Warring States edict
A Glint of Metal	4	Any Habitable Planet	Rich Mountain and Submerged Ore Veins planetary features
Parked	8	Any Habitable Planet	1 pirate corvette or 40-100 Influence if Xenophobe or Fanatic Xenophobe
Planetary Scars	4	Any Habitable Planet	Special project to gain a random weapon technology
Rubiconian Shores	7	Any Habitable Planet	Drifting Battlefield event chain
Signs of Ancient Life	3	Any Habitable Planet	Enigmatic Robot planetary feature and 100-1000 Alloys
Steamrolled	1	Any Habitable Planet	All blockers on the planet are removed
What Hums in the Night	5	Any Habitable Planet	Toy Factory Complex planetary feature Xenobiology technology if not already researched
Distress Signal	2	Any Planet	Special project to gain scaled Society Research
Playful Ruins	3	Any Planet	Scaled Engineering Research Scaled Society Research
A Strange Resonance	2	Any Star	Choice between +4 Physics Research deposit and +10% Monthly Unity for 50 years or the next lasers technology if not yet researched
Improbable Orbit	5	Any Star	Choice between 40-100 Influence or a special project to gain 150-300 Influence Can choose to instead gain 80-175 Influence if Spiritualist or Fanatic Spiritualist
Light Phenomenon	3	Any Star	Choice between +4 Physics Research deposit or a special project to gain 150-2000 Minerals

Distant Stars anomalies[edit | edit source]

Distant Stars anomalies have only one possible outcome.

Anomaly	Level	Reward	Celestial body	Requirements
Armed Vessel	3	50 Influence or special project to gain 90-250 Engineering Research	Asteroid	No empire discovered the same anomaly
Secret Heart	5	+1 Rare Crystals deposit	Asteroid
Unscannable Object	1	90-250 Physics Research +1 L-Gate Insight if an L-Gate was discovered	Asteroid
Waterless Canyons	1	+4 Minerals deposit	Barren
Gray Goo	4	Random Industry technology +1 L-Gate Insight if an L-Gate was discovered	Frozen
Inconsistent Readings	1	+3 Physics deposit	Frozen
Metallic Crystal Formations	2	90-250 Engineering Research 200 Nanites if not Xenophobe 90-250 Society Research if Xenophobe +1 L-Gate Insight if an L-Gate was discovered	Frozen
Alien Activity	3	60-150 Society Research	Gaia	No empire discovered the same anomaly
Movement in the Clouds	2	Lost Amoeba event chain	Gas Giant
Solid Core	3	+2 Exotic Gases deposit and 90-250 Society Research +1 L-Gate Insight if an L-Gate was discovered	Gas Giant
Volcanic Vents	1	+1 Exotic Gases deposit and 60-150 Society Research	Molten
Deep Tunnels	1	Flooded Mounds planetary feature and Watery Grave planet modifier	Ocean
Impenetrable Clouds	1	+3 Minerals deposit	Toxic
Mysterious Construct	5	Special project to gain a unique Admiral leader if AI Policy is not Outlawed	Toxic	No empire discovered the same anomaly
Fleet Signatures	4	+3 Society deposit	Black Hole
Heavy Pulse	2	+4 Physics deposit	Class F Star
Ship Fragments	1	120-350 Society Research	Neutron Star	No empire discovered the same anomaly
Abandoned Settlements	4	Special project to gain the Brain Slug Host trait and 150-500 Society Research if not Machine Intelligence 150-500 Society Research if Machine Intelligence	Any Habitable Planet	No empire discovered the same anomaly
Alien Life	3	Savage Wildlands planetary feature and Hostile Fauna planet modifier	Any Habitable Planet	No empire discovered the same anomaly
Attractive Magnetism	1	Soothing Magnetism planet modifier	Any Habitable Planet	Gestalt Consciousness
Bizarre Blanket	1	90-250 Society Research	Any Habitable Planet
Corrupt Survey Data	4	60-150 Engineering Research and the planet disappears	Any Habitable Planet	No empire discovered the same anomaly
Isolated Ruin	2	Zone A planetary feature	Any Habitable Planet
Megaflora	1	90-250 Society Research	Any Habitable Planet	Machine Intelligence
Peculiar Patterns	3	Harvester Fields planetary feature Ancient Harvesters planet modifier	Any Habitable Planet
Resonant Crystals	1	Resonant Crystals planet modifier	Any Habitable Planet	Gestalt Consciousness
Overgrown Ruins	6	120-350 Society Research if not Fanatic Purifiers or Determined Exterminator 90-250 Society Research if Fanatic Purifiers or Determined Exterminator	Any Habitable Planet
Deep Caverns	7	+1 Living Metal deposit and Living Metal technology if not already researched	Any Uninhabitable Planet
Webwork	2	+3 Society deposit	Any Uninhabitable Planet
Silent Behemoth	2	+3 Society deposit and 60-150 Society Research	Any Uninhabitable Moon
Unusual Moon	3	+3 Minerals deposit	Any Uninhabitable Moon	No empire discovered the same anomaly
Encrypted Transmission	2	+1 L-Gate Insight	Any Planet	System has an abandoned L-Gate
Metallic Sands	2	90-250 Engineering Research Nanosands planetary feature if planet is habitable +4 Minerals deposit if planet is uninhabitable +1 L-Gate Insight if an L-Gate was discovered	Any Planet
Supply Ship Wreckage	2	300 minerals or 100 Influence	Any Planet	Genocidal
Interference	1	60-150 Physics Research and 60-150 Society Research	Any Star
Irregular Energy Emissions	4	25 Influence or special project to give a scientist the Meticulous trait	Any Star	Gestalt Consciousness No empire discovered the same anomaly

Heavy Readings[edit | edit source]

If an anomaly is randomly discovered on a star and the system contains a Gateway the anomaly will always be the level 2 anomaly Heavy Readings. Investigating the anomaly will issue a special project on the Gateway. Finishing the special project will grant 90-250 Physics Research and the investigating scientist will gain 2 skill levels and the Paranoid trait.

Repeatable anomalies[edit | edit source]

There are two types of repeatable anomalies. The first is the Ancient Signs of Life anomaly, which can only be found on Barren worlds and will add the Terraforming Candidate planet modifier once investigated.

The second are anomalies with the name randomized based on the planet class which will reveal a pre-sapient species on the planet once investigated. Such an anomaly can be triggered once for each planet class, including Gaia and Tomb worlds. Genocidal empires cannot discover these anomalies.

Human anomalies[edit | edit source]

If the Sol system is present in the galaxy two special anomalies can spawn. If a human empire investigates them it will gain 40-100 Influence.

Debris Field anomaly can spawn on a random asteroid. Investigating it will discover the Pioneer 11 probe. If the empire is not human it will bring the following options:
- Decipher the data disk and gain 500 Engineering Research while the science ship leader gains 200 Experience. The location of the Sol system is added to the situation log. Entering the system will grant 80-175 Influence.
- Sell the data disk and gain 500 Engineering Research.
- Use the data disk as furniture and gain 40-100 Influence if Xenophobe or Fanatic Xenophobe.
A Lush Planet anomaly can spawn on a random Continental or Tropical planet. Investigating it will discover the Voager golden record. If the empire is not human it will gain 350 Engineering.