This article has been verified for the current PC
version (3.8) of the game.
Traditions represent the socio-cultural evolution of an empire as it expands and develops and consist of abilities, edicts, or bonuses unlocked with the
unity resource. Traditions are a key mechanic for tailoring the playstyle of an empire by allowing the player to reinforce the empire's strengths or lessen its weaknesses. Completing a tradition tree unlocks a slot for an
ascension perk, which provides even further enhancements.
The cost of unlocking a tradition depends on how many traditions the empire has already unlocked, as well as the
empire size cost. The tradition cost formula is the following:
"Tech/tradition cost" refers to the game setting. "Empire size effect" is a modifier to the effect of empire size on its associated penalties, including tradition cost; it is affected by certain authorities. The adoption and finisher effects both count as traditions in their own right, so starting a group counts as one tradition, and unlocking the last tradition in a group counts as two.
Several of these parameters are controlled by defines.[1]
Traditions are grouped into tradition trees with 5 traditions each, as well as a bonus for adopting the tradition tree and one for finishing it. Each empire can select up to 7 tradition trees.
The Discovery tradition tree focuses on exploration and research and is available to all empires.
+20% Anomaly Research Speed
Unlocks the Map The Stars edict
Unlocks the Chart the Unknown agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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+35% Survey Speed
+50% Science Ship Disengage Chance
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+1 Research Alternatives
+20% Scientist Experience Gain
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+20% Research Station Output
+20% Research from Starbase Buildings
Unlocks the Research Subsidies edict
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+1 Leader Pool Size
+25% Leader Experience Gain
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−20% Researcher Upkeep
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+10% Research speed
Can create Research Cooperative federations if Federations DLC is enabled
Scholarium tier 3: +1000 Research points in Research Caches
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The Domination tradition tree focuses on better managing planets and is available to all empires.
−33% Clear blocker cost if not Void Dwellers
−20% Habitat upkeep if Void Dwellers
Unlocks the Civil Exclusion agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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+20% Governor Experience Gain
+0.5 Monthly Influence
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+1 Housing from upgraded capital buildings if not Gestalt Consciousness
+1 Housing from all housing buildings if not Gestalt Consciousness
+2 Housing from Synaptic Nodes if Hive Mind
−25% Empire Size from districts if Machine Intelligence
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+1 Unity per Enforcer if not Gestalt Consciousness
Unlocks the Enhanced Surveillance edict if not Gestalt Consciousness
−10 Deviancy on all colonies if Gestalt Consciousness
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+20% Councilor Experience Gain
+50 Edict fund
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+5% Worker and Slave Output if not Gestalt Consciousness
Unlocks the Extended Shifts edict if not Gestalt Consciousness
+5% Menial Drone Output if Gestalt Consciousness
Unlocks the Drone Overdrive edict if Gestalt Consciousness
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−10% Empire Size from Pops
Can create Hegemony federations if Federations DLC is enabled
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The Expansion tradition tree focuses on the expansion of territory and colonies and is available to all empires.
+25% Colony Development Speed
Unlocks the Superior Colonies agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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−10% Starbase Influence Cost
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+1 Extra pops when establishing colony
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−25% Empire Size from Systems and Colonies
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−20% Starbase Upkeep
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+10% Pop Growth Speed if not Machine Intelligence
+10% Pop assembly speed if Machine Intelligence
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+1 Max Districts for all non-artificial planets if not Void Dwellers −20% Habitat Build Cost if Void Dwellers
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The Prosperity tradition tree focuses on various empire-wide bonuses and is available to all empires.
+20% Mining Station Output
Unlocks the Favored Society agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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−10% Building and District Upkeep
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−10% Building and District Build Cost
+25% Planet Build Speed
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+5% Specialist and Complex Drone Output
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−5% Upkeep from Jobs
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+1 Housing per City/Hive/Nexus District if not Void Dwellers
+5 Housing per City/Hive/Nexus Segment if not Void Dwellers
+3 Housing per Residential Arcology if not Void Dwellers or Gestalt Consciousness
Void Dwellers: +1 Building slot for Orbital Habitats if Void Dwellers
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+5% Resources from Jobs
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The Supremacy tradition tree focuses on fleets and armies and is available to all empires.
+20 Naval Capacity
+20% Army Damage
Unlocks the Military Backup agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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−10% Ship Build Cost
+25% Ship Build Speed
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−10% Ship Upkeep
+20% Naval Capacity
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+10% Ship Fire Rate
+20% Orbital Bombardment Damage
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+20 Fleet command limit
+20% Admiral Experience Gain
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+20% Damage against Starbases
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Unlocks War Doctrine policies
Unlocks the Supremacist diplomatic stance
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The Diplomacy tradition tree focuses on improving the benefits an empire can gain through diplomacy and is not available to empires with the
Inward Perfection or
Devouring Swarm civics.
−50% Diplomatic Influence Cost
Unlocks the Diplomatic Grants edict
Unlocks the Build Relations agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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Can create Federations
+1 Available envoys
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+3 Unity per Embassy
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+100% Federation Naval Capacity Contribution
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+50 Trust Cap
+33% Trust Growth
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+5 Diplomatic Acceptance
1% Monthly chance to gain a Favor per Improve Relations action
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+10% Diplomatic Weight +1 Available envoys
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The Adaptability tradition tree focuses on using planets more efficiently and is not available to
Machine Intelligence empires.
−10% Pop Housing Usage
Unlocks the Conquer Nature agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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−10% Building and District strategic resource cost and upkeep
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+10% Habitability
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−25% Orbital bombardment damage
+25% Defense Army Damage
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+1 Building slots for all planets
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−33% Resettlement Cost
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Unlocks Planetary Prospecting Decision if not Void Dwellers Unlocks Orbital Surveying Decision if Void Dwellers
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The Harmony tradition tree focuses on better managing the empire and is not available to
Gestalt Consciousness empires.
−10% Pop Upkeep
Unlocks the Inner Stability agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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+20 Years Leader Lifespan if not Necrophage
−1 Leader Maximum Negative Traits if not Necrophage
+5-100 Unity per converted pop if Necrophage
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−10% Empire Size from Pops
−75% Pop Demotion Time if not Shared Burdens
−20% Leader Upkeep if Shared Burdens
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+25% Governing Ethics Attraction
−10 Crime
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+50 Edict fund
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+5 Stability
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+25% Planetary Ascension Effect
Can create Holy Covenant federations if Federations DLC is enabled
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The Mercantile tradition tree focuses on trade and is not available to
Gestalt Consciousness empires.
+5 Trade protection
+1 Collection range
Unlocks the Open Markets agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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+1 Trade Value per Clerk
+1 Clerk per City District and Trade District
+3 Clerk per Residential Arcology
+5 Clerk per City Segment
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Unlocks the Consumer Benefits trade policy if not a member of a Trade League federation
Unlocks the Marketplace of Ideas trade policy if not a member of a Trade League federation
+50% Federation Naval Capacity Contribution if member of a Trade League federation
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+1 Merchant job per Commercial Zone
+1 Merchant job per Commercial Segment and Trade District
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+10% Trade Value
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−10% Market Fee
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+10% Trade Value
Can create Trade League federations if Federations DLC is enabled
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The Unyielding tradition tree focuses on defense and is available to all empires.
+2 Starbase capacity
+50% Starbase Upgrade Speed
Unlocks the Impenetrable Border agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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+25% Defense Army Health
+0.5 Unity per Defense Army
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+33% Starbase Health
+33% Starbase Damage
+33% Defense platform damage
+33% Defense platform hull points
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−25% Orbital Bombardment Damage Received
−25% War exhaustion gain
+25% Hostile claim influence cost
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+2 Starbase capacity
−50% Starbase Upgrade Cost
+4 Hostile Operation Difficulty for Sabotage Starbase
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+15% Ship Fire Rate within the empire's borders
+33% Ship Build Speed while in a defensive war
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+50% Defense platform cap
−20% Starbase Upkeep
Can create Martial Alliance federations if Federations DLC is enabled
Bulwark tier 3: −0.5 Hostile Ship Daily Hull Regen in owned systems
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The Synchronicity tradition tree focuses on better managing the empire and is only available to
Gestalt Consciousness empires.
−10% Pop Upkeep
Unlocks the Revision agendas if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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Hive Mind: +20 Years Leader Lifespan
 Necrophage Hive Mind: +5-100 Unity per converted pop
Machine Intelligence: −50% Leader accident chance
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−20% Leader Upkeep
−10% Empire Size from Pops
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+2 Amenities from Synapse Drones if Hive Mind
−3 Deviancy from Evaluators if Machine Intelligence
+30% Automatic resettlement chance if Machine Intelligence
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+50 Edict fund
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+5 Stability
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+25% Planetary Ascension Effect
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The Versatility tradition tree focuses on various empire-wide bonuses and is only available to
Machine Intelligence empires.
−10% Pop Assembly Cost
Unlocks the Self Maintenance agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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+50 Trust Cap from Machine Intelligence empires
+1 Available envoys
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−10% Pop Housing Usage
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−10% Market Fee
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−5% Upkeep from Jobs
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−33% Resettlement Cost
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+2 Amenities per Maintenance Drone
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The Politics tradition tree focuses on power in the
Galactic Community and is only available after the Galactic Community has been formed. It is not available to 

genocidal empires.
+1 Envoy
+0.1 Monthly influence per Envoy assigned to the Galactic Community
Unlocks the Pioneer Politics agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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- When a resolution passes with this empires support,
+1 Favor with empire who proposed it
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−25% Resolution Propose Cost
−25% Resolution Veto Cost
+2.5% Diplomatic Weight per Envoy assigned to the Galactic Community
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Whenever a resolution proposed by this empire passes, gain 18x unity output (250 ~ 1000000)
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- Whenever another empire's resolution passes,
+25% Diplomatic Weight until a resolution proposed by this empire passes.
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−25% Veto Cooldown
−25% Emergency Measures Cooldown
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+10% Diplomatic Weight
Unlocks the Politics Traditions resolutions
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The Subterfuge tradition tree focuses on espionage and counterespionage and is available to all empires.
+1 Codebreaking
Cloaking and Detection technologies appear 5 times more often
Unlocks the Uncover Secrets agenda if Galactic Paragons DLC is installed
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+1 Encryption
+5 Chance to Evade
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+1 Codebreaking
+1 Operation Skill
+10 Tracking
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+1 Hostile Operation Difficulty
+20% Hostile Operation Infiltration Required
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+10 Intel per failed Hostile Operation
+1 Available Envoys
+10 Maximum Infiltration Level
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+50% Infiltration Speed
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50% Infiltration Level refund for successful Operations
+1 Cloaking Strength
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The Aptitude tradition tree focuses on leaders and is available to all empires.
−25% Leader Upkeep
Unlocks the Leadership Conditioning agenda
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+1 Leader Capacity
+1 Leader Pool Size
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+10% Leader Experience Gain
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−1 Leader Maximum Negative Traits
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+10 Years Leader Lifespan if not Machine Intelligence
−25% Leader Upkeep if Machine Intelligence
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+2 Naval Capacity per Admiral or General
−2% Empire Size per Governor
+2% Leader Experience Gain per Scientist
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+1 Leader Starting Traits
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The Statecraft tradition tree focuses on the government council and is available to all empires.
+20 Edict Fund
Unlocks the Departmental Efficiency agenda
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+10% Councilor Agenda Speed
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+10% Councilor Experience Gain
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Unlocks the Rightful Claims agenda
Unlocks the Oppose the Fallen agenda
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+300 Leaders Experience per launched agenda
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+20% Council Agenda Effect Duration
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+1 Leader Capacity
+1 Effective Councilor Skill
Gives the Galactic Administration technology if not already unlocked
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Ascension tradition trees require one of the Ascension path perks (or
Teachers of the Shroud), and as such are all mutually exclusive.
The Synthetic tradition tree requires either the
Synthetic Evolution or the
Synthetic Age ascension perk.
Unlocks the Synthetic Yield agenda
+25% Leader Experience Gain if not Machine Intelligence
+1 Leader Level Cap if not Machine Intelligence
Machine Intelligence: Can assimilate robotic pops if Machine Intelligence
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−10% Robotic pop amenities usage
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Unlocks a special project to turn all organic non-Livestock pops mechanical and unlock Synthetic assimilation
+10% Pop assembly speed if Fanatic Purifiers
+1 Machine species trait picks if Machine Intelligence
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+10% Robot output
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−50% Modify Species special project cost
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+2 Robot modification points
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+1 Roboticist from capital buildings if not Machine Intelligence
+1 Mechanical species trait picks if not Machine Intelligence
+1 Replicator from capital buildings if Machine Intelligence
Leaders gain the Synthetic trait if Machine Intelligence
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The Cybernetic tradition tree requires either the
The Flesh is Weak or the
Organo-Machine Interfacing ascension perk. Its traditions can only be unlocked after the special project unlocked by adopting the tree is completed.
Unlocks the Cybernetic Advantage agenda
Unlocks a special project to give all pops the Cybernetic trait if not Driven Assimilator
Driven Assimilator: Doubles unity and society research gained for each pop assimilated; also adds engineering research per assimilated pop.
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Unlocks Cybernetic Assimilation if not Driven Assimilator
+1 pops assimilated each year and can assimilate hive-minded pops if Driven Assimilator
+10% Pop growth speed on planets with ongoing purges if Fanatic Purifiers or Devouring Swarm
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−10% Cybernetic pop upkeep
−10% Empire Size from Cybernetic Pops if Hive Mind
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Cybernetic pops can have cyborg traits
+1 Organic species trait picks
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Unlocks the Assembly Standards policy if not Driven Assimilator
Unlocks the Create Crucible World decision if Driven Assimilator
−50% Empire Size from Districts if Hive Mind
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−50% Modify Species special project cost
Robot modification points apply to biological pops as well if not Hive Mind
+2 Augumentation Drone jobs from Spawning Pools if Hive Mind
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+10% Resources from cybernetic pops
+1 Organic species trait picks
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The Genetic tradition tree requires the
Engineered Evolution ascension perk.
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Genetic modification can remove positive and overtuned traits
Genetic modification can add negative traits
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+1.5 Monthly Organic Pop Assembly from Clone Vats buildings
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−50% Modify Species special project cost
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+1 Organic species trait picks
Genetic modification can change species portrait
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The Psionic tradition tree requires the
Mind Over Matter ascension perk. Empires with the
Teachers of the Shroud origin only require the
Psionic Theory technology.
Unlocks the Psionic Supremacy agenda
All pops gain the Latent Psionic trait
Adds the Telepathy technology as a research option if Teachers of the Shroud
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Unlocks the Psi Corps building
Unlocks the Psi Corps orbital ring building
Adds the Thought Enforcement technology as a research option
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+10 Base Intel Level
Unlocks the Sight Beyond Sight edict
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Main species replaces the Latent Psionic trait with Psionic
Unlocks Psionic assimilation
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Unlocks a special project to enter the Shroud
+5% Resouces from Psionic pops from each Telepath job
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+2 Codebreaking
+2 Encryption
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−10% Edict upkeep
−20% Shroud delve cooldown
Can confirm an established Covenant
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Finishing an entire tradition tree or acquiring the
Ascension Theory technology unlocks an ascension perk slot. Ascension perks can be viewed as defining characteristics that emerge as a product of the socio-cultural evolution represented by the traditions intertwining with the empire's identity (its Origin, Ethics, Civics, Government and Population). Ascension perks represent the empire's greater-scope ambition(s) and, in the case of the three ascension paths, its ultimate final fate.
Ascension perks often favor either a tall or wide gameplay, with some that allow access to gameplay mechanics not available through traditions alone. This includes the three ascension paths, the ability to build advanced deep-space megastructures, the ability to use terraforming to create special planets, and becoming a Galactic Nemesis. An empire can have up to 8 Ascension perks.
Due to the difficulty of unlocking an ascension perk slot, it is prudent to delay making a choice, especially if the desired perk cannot be selected because the required technologies have not been researched yet. In addition, once chosen, an ascension perk is permanent and cannot be changed.
Tier 0 ascension perks can be taken from the start. Tier 1 perks require 1 previous ascension perk to be taken, tier 2 perks require 2 previous ascension perks, and tier 3 perks require 3 previous ascension perks. The higher the AI weight, the more likely an AI empire will select that ascension perk.
Ascension paths are special tier 1 ascension perks that will unlock a tradition tree and a unique technology to research. Each empire can take only one ascension path perk and only if fewer than 7 tradition trees have been taken. Empires with the
Teachers of the Shroud origin are locked into the Psionic ascension and cannot take any of these perks.
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Ascension perk
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Prerequisites
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Tradition tree
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Research option
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AI weight
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Description
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DLC
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Engineered Evolution
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Gene Tailoring technology
 Teachers of the Shroud origin
 Machine Intelligence
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Genetic
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Gene Seed Purification
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15
- x0 if below 6 worlds
- x3 if
Hive Mind
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To leave our genetic destiny in the hands of nature is an inefficient and excruciatingly slow process. Why not jump-start the future of our species?
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Mind over Matter
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Psionic Theory technology
 Teachers of the Shroud origin
 Gestalt Consciousness
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Psionic
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Telepathy
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100
- x0 if below 6 worlds
- x0.1 if not
 Spiritualist
- x10 if
Become the Crisis
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Only a fraction of the potential contained within our minds has been unlocked. The latent psionic abilities of our species are only now beginning to manifest in certain individuals.
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The Flesh is Weak
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Integrated Cybernetics technology
 Teachers of the Shroud origin
 Gestalt Consciousness
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Cybernetic
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Quantum Neuro-Links
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20
- x0 if below 6 worlds
- x0.5 if not
 Materialist
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The limits and constraints imposed on us by our feeble organic bodies are simply unacceptable. To reach our full potential, we must turn to cybernetic implants.
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Organo-Machine Interfacing
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Hive Mind
Integrated Cybernetics technology
Driven Assimilator
Has assimilated at least 30 pops
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Cybernetic
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: Quantum Neuro-Links
: Adaptive Cybernetics
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20
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The limits and constraints imposed on us by our creators are simply unacceptable. To reach our full potential, we must turn to cybernetic implants.
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Synthetic Evolution
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Synthetics technology
 Teachers of the Shroud origin
 Gestalt Consciousness
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Synthetic
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Synthetic Personality Matrix
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20
- x0 if below 6 worlds,
Necrophage or MSI
- x0.1 if not
 Materialist
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It is time to abandon the flawed organic vessels that imprison our minds. By transferring our neural patterns into synthetic bodies, we will achieve a higher state of being.
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Synthetic Age
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Machine Intelligence
Machine Template System technology
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Synthetic
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Binary Motivators
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20
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The age of organics has come and gone, the future of the galaxy belongs to the machines. This is the dawn of a synthetic age.
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- ↑ Specifically:
- The base cost of 300 is controlled by
TRADITION_COST_AMOUNTS
- The cost per tradition of 8 is controlled by
TRADITION_COST_TRADITION
- The exponent of 1.8 is controlled by
TRADITION_COST_TRADITION_EXP
- The empire size threshold below which no penalties apply (100 in the above formula) is controlled by
EMPIRE_SIZE_BASE
(this also affects technology cost)
- The magnitude of the effect of empire size (0.002 in the above formula) is controlled by
EMPIRE_SIZE_COST_TRADITION_PENALTY
- The full formula also contains a multiplier term for number of tradition groups unlocked (
). The multiplier of 0 is controlled by TRADITION_COST_MULT_TRADITION_GROUP
.
- ↑ Specifically,
Plantoids,
Lithoids,
Leviathans,
Distant Stars,
Ancient Relics, or
Aquatics