Anomaly

Version

This article has been verified for the current PC version (3.8) 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% base 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 each increases the base chance of finding anomalies by 10%. The chance to discover an anomaly rises to 50% by the 10-th unsuccessful try with the base chance (5%), by the 4-th try with the  Meticulous trait or the Map The Stars edict, and by the 3-ed try with both of them.

Anomalies only spawn on a planet the first time it is surveyed by any player, and are only visible to that player. Subsequent surveys on that planet by other players will not yield anomalies.

Level

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

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. If an anomaly would give the scientist an expertise trait it already has the scientist will gain 200 experience instead.

Anomaly	Level	Celestial body	Empire	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
Ancient Battlefield	5	Asteroid		Next hull size technology or scaled  Engineering Research if already researched
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 Can choose to instead gain a special project to gain a new ship if  Reanimators or  Permanent Employment 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
Mysterious Heat	2	Frozen		Choice between scaled  Unity or scaled  Society Research
Something Smells	2	Frozen		Special project to gain scaled  Society Research
Thin Ice	4	Frozen		Special project to gain +1  Research deposit, +3  Rare Crystals deposit, or lose the science ship scientist to gain a +5  Research deposit
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 +7  Physics Research deposit but the scientist dies or a special project to give the scientist the Expertise: Field Manipulation trait
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
Kaleidoscopic	2	Ocean		Science ship scientist gains 200 experience
The Winter of the Fallen	3	Tomb		Special project to gain 125-250  Influence Can choose to instead gain a general leader if  Pacifist,  Spiritualist or  Fanatic Spiritualist
Impossible Organism	6	Toxic		Impossible Organism event chain
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
Ancient Shipyard	4	Uninhabitable Planet		Special project to gain 3 pirate corvettes or a pirate destroyer
Asteroid in Orbit	1	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	Uninhabitable Planet		+4  Society Research deposit
Life Signs	2	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	Uninhabitable Planet		The Ransomeers event chain
Massive Impact	2	Uninhabitable Planet		Scaled  Physics Research +3  Minerals deposit
Monoliths	3	Uninhabitable Planet		Scaled  Engineering Research
Peculiar Crater	7	Uninhabitable Planet		+1  Living Metal deposit and Living Metal technology if not already researched
Projecting	3	Uninhabitable Planet		Special project to gain +3  Engineering Research deposit
Signs of Battle	4	Uninhabitable Planet		Special project to gain +3  Engineering Research deposit
Solar Sailer	2	Uninhabitable Planet		Scaled  Engineering Research
Space Station	1	Uninhabitable Planet		A random celestial body with a deposit within borders gains a mining station
Strange Mountain Formation	3	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
Strange Readings	7	Uninhabitable Planet		+3  Unity deposit Can choose to also gain +1  Amenities and −1  Deviancy for 20 years if  Hive Mind Can choose to instead gain +6  Physics deposit if  Machine Intelligence
Surface Beacon	1	Uninhabitable Planet		+4  Minerals deposit
Surface Writing	2	Uninhabitable Planet		+3  Society Research deposit
Unidentified Object	2	Uninhabitable Planet		Special project to gain scaled  Engineering Research
Unusual Energy Readings	2	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	Uninhabitable Planet		Scaled  Society Research Scaled  Society Research
Rainbow in the Dark	5	Black Hole		+9  Physics Research deposit Scaled  Physics Research and science ship scientist gains the  Paranoid trait
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
The Orb	2	Any Planet		Chouse between scaled  Physics Research or giving the science ship scientist the Intemporal trait
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

Human anomalies

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 Voyager golden record. If the empire is not human it will gain 350  Engineering.

Distant Stars anomalies

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
Ancient Hulk	8	50  Influence or special project to find the Paridayda system	Gas Giant	Gestalt Consciousness 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 the S875.1 Warform renowned paragon 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	Dead God Dead God planet modifier, +5  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

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.

Spiky Readings

If an anomaly is randomly discovered on planet with a pre-sapient species the anomaly will always be the level 2 anomaly Spiky Readings and the pre-sapient species will always have the  Psionic trait. Investigating the anomaly and choosing to continue to investigate will bring a special project that unlocks a second special project. Finishing the second special project will ring the option to pay various amounts of  Energy. Agreeing will unlock The Beholder legendary paragons.

Repeatable anomalies

Repeatable anomalies can be discovered regularly by leaders with certain traits and have minor effects:

• Hidden Resources adds a deposit of 3  Energy or  Minerals
• Rare Geological Formation adds a deposit of 2  Exotic Gases,  Rare Crystals or  Volatile Motes
• Unusual Phenomenon adds a deposit of 3  Engineering,  Physics or  Society

References

Game concepts