Traditions

Version

This article may contain outdated information that is inaccurate for the current version of the game. It was last updated for 2.3.

This article is for the PC version of Stellaris only.

Traditions tab.

Traditions are abilities or bonuses unlocked with the unity resource. Traditions can be seen as a representation of the socio-cultural evolution of the empire as it expands and develops. Traditions help define an empire by allowing the adoption of traditions trees that suit its particular play-style. Completing a tree allows the empire to pick an ascension perk to further enhance themselves.

Properties

Each tradition tree consists of the following:

• Adoption effect: This bonus is acquired when adopting the tradition tree.
• Tradition set: Each tradition tree contains a total of 5 traditions, that give new abilities or bonuses when adopted.
• Completion effect: This bonus is acquired upon adopting all of the traditions within a single tree.

Tradition swap

Some empires have little use for certain tradition trees (those being Diplomacy, Domination or Harmony). For such empires, these three tradition trees are replaced (swapped) with special trees that better fit their playstyle. Any authorities and civics that cause tradition swapping can only be picked during the empire creation phase and after that, they are fixed on permanently and cannot be replaced.

Traditions swaps range from narrative-only changes to the names and flavor text of an existing tradition tree to the addition of an entirely new tradition tree with new bonuses and effects.

Cost

The cost of unlocking a tradition depends on the size of your empire beyond your administrative cap, as well as how many traditions you have already unlocked. Overall, small harmonious empires will unlock traditions more quickly than large, expansionist ones.

Tradition cost is formulated approximately as follows:

${\text{Tradition cost}}=\left[300\,+\,\left(8\,\cdot \,{\text{Unlocked traditions}}\right)^{1.7}\right]\,\cdot \,\left(1\,+\,0.05\,\cdot \,{\text{Unlocked tradition trees}}\right)\,\cdot \,\left(1\,+\,0.005\,\cdot \,{\text{Empire size above cap}}\right)$

Example

An empire has completed one tradition tree and opened another, for a total of 8 unlocks (5 + 2 opens + one extra for finisher) and 2 open trees. Their empire size is 3 over their limit.

${\text{Tradition cost}}=\left[300\,+\,\left(8\,\cdot \,8\,\right)^{1.7}\right]\,\cdot \,\left(1\,+\,0.05\,\cdot \,2\,\right)\,\cdot \,\left(1\,+\,0.005\,\cdot \,3\,\right)\approx \,1648$

Notes:

• Adopting and completing a tree both increase the unlocked traditions factor (each by an additional 1).

Tradition trees

Each adopted Tradition will unlock all Traditions directly underneath.

Expansion

Expansion Traditions are themed around colonizing faster, growing the population faster, and generally expanding the empire.

We must spread our civilization to new systems and planets or risk eventual extinction. There are only two possible states for the hive: growth, or death. Growth projections indicate we will soon exceed the maximum storage capacity of our home systems. We must expand, or stagnate.
Adoption effect: +25% Colony development speed
–10% Starbase influence cost		+1 Pops on new colonies
+20 Administrative Cap	-20% starbase upkeep	+10% Pop growth speed +10% Pop assembly speed for Machine Intelligence
Finisher effect: +1 Max District for all non-habitat planets

Domination

Domination Traditions were originally focused around subject empires, but are now focused around strengtening the empire's governance through reducing crime, improving the performance of workers and slaves, and gaining better rulers and governors.

If we do not impose our will on others, they will inevitably impose theirs on us. Everything that is not Us must serve Us, either as servants, or as food. We seek harmonious functionality throughout the entire galaxy. Other stellar beings resist this due to inefficient personal whims. We will remove their disorder like a malfunctioning part.
Adoption effect: -33% Clear Blocker Cost
+2 Governor level cap	+1 Housing from Capital and Residence buildings +2 Housing from Maintenance Depots for Machine Intelligence +2 Housing from Synaptic Nodes for Hive Mind	+20% Crime reduction from Enforcers -10 Deviancy on all planets
+2 Ruler level cap		+5% Resource output from Workers and Slaves +5% Resource output from Menial Drones
Finisher effect: +1 Monthly influence

Prosperity

Prosperity Traditions are focused on improving the empire's economy by improving planets and improving the work performance of specialists.

There is no better indicator of the success or failure of a star nation than the strength of its economy. We must build a strong, prosperous Hive if we are to spread ourselves among the stars. Individual units all eventually cease functioning. Only numbers can provide the redundancy required to ensure continued existence. To build those numbers, we must have resources.
Adoption effect: +10% Mining Station Output
−10% Building and District upkeep		-10% Building and District build cost +25% Building and District build speed
+5% Specialist Output +5% Complex Drone Output	+1 Clerk Job from City Districts +5% Monthly Energy Credit output for Gestalt Consciousness empires	+1 Housing from City Districts, Hive Districts and Nexus Districts
Finisher effect: +1 Merchant Job per 50 Pops or +1 Coordinator Job per 20 Pops or +1 Synapse Drone Job per 20 Pops

Harmony

Harmony Traditions are focused on improving the empire's population by increasing leader lifespan, reducing their food and amenity consumption, and improving stability.

Few things can match the strength of a content populace working towards a common goal.
Adoption effect: -10% Pop food consumption
+20 Leader lifespan	-50% Stratum demotion time	+25% Governing Ethics Attraction
+15% Fire rate within the empire's borders (both ships and starbases) +33% Ship build speed while in a defensive war		-10% Pop Amenities Usage
Finisher effect: +5% Stability

Synchronicity

Gestalt Consciousness empires have their Harmony tradition tree replaced by Synchronicity. Despite the change in traditions, Synchroniality is still based around improving the empire's population along with a bonues to defense.

Unity of mind begets unity of purpose. We must strive for synchronized action in all endeavours.
Adoption effect: -10% Pop food consumption or -10% Robot upkeep
+20 Leader lifespan for Hive Mind -50% Leader accident chance for Machine Intelligence	-20% Leader upkeep	+2 Maintenance Drone job from maintenance depots
+15% Fire rate within the empire's borders +33% Ship build speed while in a defensive war		-10% Pop Amenities Usage
Finisher effect: +5% Stability

Supremacy

Supremacy Traditions are focused on improving the empire's military capabilities, through the ability to field larger fleets, improvements in ship construction and maintenance, better admirals, as well as building stronger and more starbases.

The future of this galaxy belongs to those who are strong enough to seize it. The only rule: Eat, or be eaten. All of our theoretical models invariably collapse due to the unknown variables presented by other empires. Since our models cannot be further improved, the unknown variables must be eliminated.
Adoption effect: +2 Starbase capacity and +20% Army damage
−10% Ship build cost +25% Ship build speed	−10% Ship upkeep +20% Naval capacity	+10% Ship fire rate +20% Orbital bombardment damage
+20 Fleet command limit +2 Admiral level cap		+20% Starbase damage -33% Starbase upgrade cost
Finisher effect: War doctrine policies unlocked

Diplomacy

Diplomacy Traditions are, as the name says, focused around diplomacy with other empires. This is done through the introduction of federations, improvements to the galactic market and trade.

The surest way to destroy your enemies is to make them your friends.
Adoption effect: −50% Diplomatic influence cost and +10% Pop growth from Immigration
Form Federations	+10% Trade value
+100% Federation naval capacity contribution	-10% Market Fee	+5 Base Trade Protection for Trade Routes
Finisher effect: +33% Trust growth and +50 Trust cap

Adaptability

Inward Perfection, Barbaric Despoilers, Fanatic Purifiers and Hive Mind empires have their Diplomacy tradition tree replaced by Adaptability. In contrast to Diplomacy, Adaptability Traditions are themed around helping them empire achieve self-sufficiency, which is accomplished through improvements to pops, increased habitability and improvements to planetside construction, resettlement and reduction of hostile orbital bombardment damage.

To adapt is to survive, and surpass.
Adoption effect: −10% Pop housing usage
Form Federations +10% Monthly Food output if empire cannot join federations	+10% Habitability
-25% Orbital bombardment damage taken +25% Defense Army damage	+1 Free building slot for all planets	-33% Resettlement cost
Finisher effect: Unlocks Planetary Prospecting Decision

Versatility

Machine Intelligence empires have their Diplomacy tradition tree replaced by Versatility. Versatility is themed around improving the flexibility of the machine population

A degree of flexibility is required when operating within the parameters of an unpredictable galaxy.
Adoption effect: −10% Pop assembly cost
Form Federations +50 Trust cap +20 Opinion with Machine Intelligence empires	-10% Pop housing usage
-10% Market Fee	-5% Upkeep for all jobs	-33% Resettlement cost
Finisher effect: 50% Refund per demolished building or district

Discovery

Discovery Traditions are focused around research and space exploration. It grants bonuses to research and improves the performance of scientists and science ships.

Our curiosity about the universe is what got us this far, and there is still so much left to discover. In our ancient past, explorator drones left the safety of our hive to find sites for new nests. Now they travel the stars, driven by the same ancestral yearning. Many of our long range contingency calculations break down due to insufficient data. Therefore, we must know everything.
Adoption effect: +20% Anomaly research speed
+35% Survey speed +50% Science ship disengagement chance	+1 Research alternatives +2 Scientist level cap
+10% Research Station Output	+25% Leader experience gain +1 Leader level cap
	-20% Upkeep for Pops working with Research
Finisher effect: +10% Research speed

Ascension perks

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 with the socio-cultural evolution represented by the Traditions intertwining with the empire's identity (its 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 deep-space megastructures, the ability to use terraforming to create special planets and other powerful abilities. 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 if any required technologies have not been researched yet. In addition, once chosen, the Ascension perk is permanent and cannot be changed.

Tier 0 ascension perks can be taken from the start. Tier 1 ones require 1 previous ascension perk, tier 2 ones require 2 previous ascension perks and tier 3 ones require 3 previous ascension perks.

	Ascension perk	Tier	Effects	Prerequisites	Description
	Consecrated Worlds	0	Consecrate Worlds decision	Spiritualist	The galaxy is home to many holy places, some more obvious than others. As mortals, we still struggle to divine the true nature of the universe.
	Eternal Vigilance	0	+25% Starbase Hull Points +25% Starbase Damage +25% Defense Platform Damage +5 Defense Platforms	Star Fortress technology	To display weakness is to invite attack. The price of invading our space must be so high that as few as possible are prepared to meet it.
	Executive Vigor	0	+50% Edict Duration		There will be no half-measures or compromises when implementing the edicts decided upon by our government. We go all the way, or not at all.
	Imperial Prerogative	0	+30 Administrative Cap	Corporate authority	As our civilization continues to grow, so its beating heart must also expand. More systems will be placed under our direct control.
	Interstellar Dominion	0	–20% Claim Influence Cost –20% Starbase Influence Cost		Our place amongst the stars is assured and irrefutable, and the borders of our nation equally so.
	Mastery of Nature	0	–33% Clear Blocker Cost Mastery of Nature decision		Although we mastered the nature of our homeworld long ago, the alien biomes we have since encountered present new challenges. They too shall be overcome.
	Nihilistic Acquisition	0	Unlocks the Raiding bombardment stance	Is either: Gestalt Consciousness Authoritarian Xenophobe Barbaric Despoilers	The notion of self-determination cannot be a moral absolute. Holistic goals clearly outweigh individual concerns.
	One Vision	0	-10% Pop Amenities Usage +10% Monthly Unity +50% Governing Ethics Attraction	Machine Intelligence	True unity is achieved only when the ultimate goals of a nation and its people are one and the same. After all, a house divided against itself cannot stand.
	Shared Destiny	0	–50% Subject integration influence cost +100 Subject Trust Cap	Is not: Corporate Inward Perfection Genocidal	As we reach for ever greater heights, we must not leave behind those who have loyally served us. The glorious future of our empire was always meant to be a shared destiny.
	Technological Ascendancy	0	+10% Research Speed Rare technologies are now 50% more common		Technologies that would have been indistinguishable from magic mere generations ago are now within our reach. A new age of technology has begun.
	Transcendent Learning	0	+2 Leader Level Cap +50% Leader Experience Gain		Our society must change its approach towards learning, and by doing so, our best and brightest will be able to reach a completely new level of achievements.
	Universal Transactions	0	-15% Branch Office Cost Commercial Pacts cost no influence	Corporate authority Criminal Heritage	We shall extend our brand and our business to every solar system in the galaxy. Greed is eternal!
	Voidborne	0	+20% Habitat habitability +2 Habitat district cap	Star Fortress technology	The void, once seen as a cold and insurmountable barrier, has become a second home to us. Permanent habitation in the depths of space is now eminently possible.
	Xeno-Compatibility	0	+33% Immigration Pull +20% Pop Growth Speed if planet has at least 2 different species Hybrid Species	Xenophile At least 1 xeno pop living in empire Gene Tailoring technology	The invention of universal sexual biology has revolutionized society. Even if it sometimes requires awkward rotations to make a connection.
	Enigmatic Engineering	1	+2 Sensor Range +4 Ship Hyperlane Detection Range Technology can't be reverse-engineered by others		Technology is simply not a way to solve a problem, but it is a language by which we ascend beyond the mundane. Lesser minds simply fail to understand our advances.
	Grasp the Void	1	+5 Starbase Capacity		The vast expense of the galaxy holds limitless riches for those empires that understand how to maintain their grasp on the void.
	Engineered Evolution	1	+3 Trait Points –25% Modify species special project cost Gene Seed Purification research option	Gene Tailoring technology Mind over Matter The Flesh is Weak Machine Intelligence	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?
	Mind over Matter	1	Telepathy research option Psi Corps building Psionic Ascension Path Primary species gains the Latent Psionic trait New leaders have a 20% chance to get the class appropriate Psychic trait Existing leaders can get the Psychic trait through events Increased Spiritualist ethics attraction	Psionic Theory technology Engineered Evolution The Flesh is Weak Gestalt Consciousness	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.
	The Flesh is Weak	1	–10% Robot Upkeep +33% Pop Assembly Speed Special Project to turn all pops into cyborgs All organic pops gain the Cybernetic trait All organic leaders gain the class appropriate Cyborg trait Assimilation Citizenship option Increased Materialist ethics attraction Enslaved robots will never rebel	Droids technology Engineered Evolution Mind over Matter Gestalt Consciousness	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.
	World Shaper	1	–25% Terraforming Cost Gaia World terraforming option	Climate Restoration technology Gestalt Consciousness Unless: Rogue Servitor or Driven Assimilator	To carefully shape and alter the ecosystem of an entire planet into something else is not so very different from an artist sculpting a statue out of clay.
	Arcology Project	2	Arcology Project decision	Anti-Gravity Engineering technology Gestalt Consciousness Agrarian Idyll	Thus shall we make a world of the city, and a city of the world.
	Galactic Force Projection	2	+20 Fleet Command Limit +80 Naval Capacity		The fleet is the instrument by which the will of our empire is made manifest - we live or die depending on its strength.
	Hive Worlds	2	Hive World terraforming option	Hive Mind Climate Restoration technology	We shall create living worlds that are every bit as much a part of the Hive as the drones that inhabit them.
	Machine Worlds	2	Machine World terraforming option	Machine Intelligence Climate Restoration technology	We shall shape our worlds into a mirror image of ourselves, replacing the fraility of biology with the immutable perfection of metal.
	Master Builders	2	+50% Megastructures build speed +1 Megastructures build capacity Mega-Engineering research option	Either: Galactic Wonders Voidborne Zero Point Power technology	Building a Megastructure requires an unprecedented amount of resources and planning. We are breaking new ground in the field of macro-engineering.
	Synthetic Age	2	+2 Machine Modification Points –33% Modify species special project cost	Machine Intelligence Machine Template System technology	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.
	Evolutionary Mastery	2	+3 Trait Points –25% Modify species special project cost Genetic Resequencing research option	Engineered Evolution Targeted Gene Expressions technology	Evolution is a single-minded beast that follows a single path to its inevitable conclusion. We cannot afford to limit ourselves thus - let us explore all paths simultaneously.
	Synthetic Evolution	2	+1 Robot Modification Points –50% Modify species special project cost +10% Robot Output Special Project to turn the empire synthetic A new robotic species will be created and can be named. All organic pops and leaders become that species All organic pops have their traits replaced with Mechanical Every organic army is turned into an Android Assault Army. Machine Intelligences regard you as a machine empire –40 opinion from Spiritualist empires –60 opinion from Fanatic Spiritualist empires –20 opinion from every empire that is not Materialist, Fanatic Materialist, Machine Intelligence or Synthetic	The Flesh is Weak Synthetic Personality Matrix Synthetics technology Completed special project The Flesh is Weak	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.
	Transcendence	2	Primary species gains the Psionic trait Assimilation Citizenship option All primary species leaders gain the Psychic trait Special Project to breach the Shroud	Mind over Matter	We stand on the threshold of awakening the true psionic might of our species. Our minds are ready, and we have heard whispers of a psychic realm beyond our own...
	Colossus Project	3	Colossus ship type Colossus Project Special Project	Titans Technology	The Colossus Project is where fevered dreams of terror and deterrence meet. A vision of the biggest ship, carrying a weapon capable of devastating entire worlds.
	Defender of the Galaxy	3	+50% Damage to endgame crisis factions +20 Opinion from other empires		As star nations vie with one another in petty disputes, sinister forces of unimaginable power are arraying themselves against all sapient life. Who will protect us?
	Galactic Contender	3	+33% Damage to Awakened Empires +33% Damage to Fallen Empires +33% Damage to The Gate-builders	Established communications with an awakened or fallen empire	The Fallen Empires cling to the ruins of their decrepit civilizations, ever fearful of the younger and more dynamic races that surround them. Their time has long since passed.
	Galactic Wonders	3	Ring World research option Dyson Sphere research option Matter Decompressor research option	Mega-Engineering technology	Megastructures are rightfully regarded as the wonders of our time. The scope of such a project would have been unimaginable mere generations ago.

References

Game concepts