Biological traits

Version

This article has been verified for the current PC version (4.4) of the game.

Species traits

Pop modification

Biological traits

Machine traits

Biological traits are available for species with the Organic, Lithoid and Thermophile primary trait. They can be changed through genetic modification, which requires the Gene Tailoring technology.

Climate preference traits

Each species has a climate preference trait that determines their base Habitability on the various types of planets, usually that corresponding to the type of their homeworld. It also decides the background that will be used when viewing the template in the species menu.

Climate preference traits can be changed after researching the Glandular Acclimation technology but a pop can never have more than one climate preference trait. Climate preference cannot be changed if the species has the Aquatic or Void Dweller trait.

Preference	Dry	Wet	Cold	Other	Source
Arid	60%	20%	20%	Arid World: +20%	Empire creation Genetic modification Volcanic requires the Infernals DLC
Desert	60%	20%	20%	Desert World: +20%
Savanna	60%	20%	20%	Savanna World: +20%
Continental	20%	60%	20%	Continental World: +20%
Ocean	20%	60%	20%	Ocean World: +20%
Tropical	20%	60%	20%	Tropical World: +20%
Alpine	20%	20%	60%	Alpine World: +20%
Arctic	20%	20%	60%	Arctic World: +20%
Tundra	20%	20%	60%	Tundra World: +20%
Volcanic	60%	20%	0%	Volcanic World: +60%
Habitat	0%	0%	0%	Habitat: +80% Arkship: +20%	Void Dwellers species Can be added through genetic modification by Void Dwellers empires
Gaia	0%	0%	0%	Gaia World: +100%	Life-Seeded species
Ring World	0%	0%	0%	Ring World: +100%	Shattered Ring species
Machine	0%	0%	0%	Machine World: +100%	Resource Consolidation cyborg species if Driven Assimilator
Arkship	0%	0%	0%	Habitat: +60% Arkship: +80%	Nomadic species
Tomb	60%	60%	60%	Tomb World: +80%	Species generated by Genesis Genesis Guides Astrogenesis Technologies Genesis Symbiotes Genesis Architects civics on a matching world Species generated by the Omnicodex relic on a matching world
Relic	0%	0%	0%	Relic World: +80%
Ecumenopolis	0%	0%	0%	Ecumenopolis: +80%
Hive	0%	0%	0%	Hive World: +100%
Nanite	60%	60%	60%	Nanite World: +80%
Synaptic Lathe	0%	0%	0%	Synaptic Lathe: +100%
Mutagenic Habitability	50%	50%	50%	Tomb World: +50% Volcanic World: +50% Auto-mods species towards the other habitability traits	Environmental Integration tradition
Dry Climate Mods	70%	0%	0%	Habitability capped at 125% +2.5% Job Efficiency per 10% Habitability above 100% −2.5% Pop Housing Usage per 10% Habitability above 100% −2.5% Pop Amenities Usage per 10% Habitability above 100%	Can be added through genetic modification with Integrated Anatomy tradition Requires the Cybernetic trait Requires the The Machine Age DLC
Wet Climate Mods	0%	70%	0%
Cold Climate Mods	0%	0%	70%

Basic traits

Basic traits can be selected when first creating a species, and later changed through genetic modification. Traits that affect Happiness cannot be added to species with the Hive-Minded trait.

Basic characteristics

These traits define basic characteristics of a species. They can be added to the starting founder species under certain conditions, and require special conditions to add or remove.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts			Notes	Description	DLC
Hive-Minded	Not affected by happiness +20 Years leader lifespan −10 Years leader initial age Can be employed in gestalt jobs Uses a different set of species rights outside Hive Mind empires		0		Forced for Hive Mind starting species Can only be added or removed through assimilation Can assimilate into or out of if either: Engineered Genesis tradition Genotype Regeneration tradition Planned Polymorphism tradition Evolutionary Extrapolation tradition Transubstantiation Synthesis ( Hive Mind only) Inevitable Assimilation ( Driven Assimilator only)	This species is made up of semi-autonomous individuals slaved to a single, unfathomably vast consciousness.
Aquatic	Ocean Worlds: +20% Habitability −10% Pop housing usage +10% Worker job efficiency Dry and Cold planets: −20% Habitability +30% Pop housing usage Hydrocentric ascension perk boosts this trait's effects by 50%		2	0	Requires Ocean Preference Can be added if either: Empire creation Allelic Expression tradition Exemplary Genetics tradition Unnatural Selection tradition Can be removed if Hydrocentric and either: Genetic Resequencing tradition Genotype Regeneration tradition Unnatural Selection tradition Cannot change climate preference without removing the trait	This species is perfectly adapted to living in the depths of the ocean. However, on dry land, it is like a fish out of water.

Positive traits

Positive traits can be selected in empire creation or added to templates after the Gene Tailoring technology has been researched. They can only be removed if the empire has the Genetic Resequencing or Genotype Regeneration tradition.

The Adaptive and Rapid Breeders traits are not available for Lithoid species at game start, but can be added through genetic modification if the empire has the Allelic Expression, Exemplary Genetics, or Unnatural Selection tradition.

The Recursive Learners trait is only available for species with the Arkship Preference or Mutagenic Habitability trait.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts			Can also be removed with	Description	DLC
Adaptive	+10% Habitability		2	+500		This species is highly adaptive when it comes to foreign environments.
Extremely Adaptive	+20% Habitability		4	+1000		This species is remarkably adept at adapting to any foreign environments.
Agrarian	+15% Farming job efficiency		2	+500	Targeted Gene Expressions	This species has a deep connection to the land, and make expert farmers and gardeners.
Charismatic	+20% Influential job efficiency		2	+500	Targeted Gene Expressions	Members of this species have a special charisma, and are generally considered pleasant to be around.
Communal	−10% Pop housing usage		1	+500		Members of this species are highly communal, and quite used to living in close proximity to others.
Conformists	+30% Governing ethics attraction		2	+500		These people always seek consensus and are more likely to conform to the governing ethics.
Conservationist	−10% Pop consumer goods upkeep		1	+500		Members of this species believe that resources must be conserved and recycled.
Docile	−10% Empire size from pops		2	+500		Members of this species are easy to manage and organize. They tend to be cooperative and amicable.
Enduring	+20 Years leader lifespan		1	+500		Lifespans in this species are unusually long.
Venerable	+80 Years leader lifespan		4	+1000		This species can grow to an age that commands dignity and respect.
Existential Iteroparity	+20% Pop growth during war and crisis		2	+1000	Somatic Synthesization	This species grew up in hostile conditions where outbreeding your rivals was the key to survival.
Industrious	+15% Mining job efficiency		2	+500	Targeted Gene Expressions	Members of this species are known for their diligent and hard-working nature, always going above and beyond.
Ingenious	+15% Technician job efficiency		2	+500	Targeted Gene Expressions	Members of this species are good at 'thinking outside the box' and know how to maximize the efficiency of their infrastructure and power grids.
Intelligent	+10% Researcher job efficiency		2	+500	Targeted Gene Expressions	This species is highly intelligent, and enjoys faster technological progress.
Natural Engineers	+15% Engineer job efficiency		1	+500		Members of this species have a natural inclination towards engineering and material sciences.
Natural Physicists	+15% Physicist job efficiency		1	+500		Members of this species have a natural inclination towards theoretical physics and astral phenomena.
Natural Sociologists	+15% Biologist job efficiency		1	+500		Members of this species have a natural inclination towards sociology and biological studies.
Migratory	−35% Resettlement cost		1	+500		This species has a nomadic past, and its members often think nothing of relocating to another world.
Quick Learners	+10% Leader experience gain		1	+500		Members of this species are quick to learn from their experiences.
Rapid Breeders	+10% Pop growth speed		2	+1000	Somatic Synthesization	This species reproduces at a very rapid rate, increasing population growth.
Resilient	+50% Defense army damage		1	+500		Members of this species are physiologically resilient, and will fight like enraged brood mothers to defend their worlds.
Strong	+20% Army damage +10% Soldier efficiency +2.5% Worker job efficiency +2.5% Menial Drone job efficiency		1	+1000		Members of this species possess great physical strength, making them formidable fighters on the ground.
Very Strong	+40% Army Damage +15% Soldier efficiency +5% Worker job efficiency +5% Menial Drone job efficiency		3	+2000		Members of this species possess a strength that almost defies the laws of physics.
Talented	−10% Leader upkeep −1 Leader maximum negative traits		1	+500		Member of this species are born with a natural aptitude.
Thrifty	+25% Trader job efficiency		2	+500	Targeted Gene Expressions	Members of this species are instinctively economical and are always looking to make a good profit, whatever corners need cutting.
Traditional	+10% Bureaucrat job efficiency		1	+500	Targeted Gene Expressions	Certain aspects of this species' cognition makes it predisposed to especially value historical precedence and group unity.
Incubators	+30% Pop growth speed −1% for every 100 pops above 700, until it reaches the effect of −10% at 4700 pops		2	+2000	Somatic Synthesization	When isolated or few in numbers, a species with this trait naturally adapts and is able to focus on procreation with an intentness others would consider extreme. However, when in large numbers, this effect is reversed, and they find reproduction more difficult.
Noxious	+2% Happiness per non-Noxious pop (max +40%) −1% Happiness to non-Noxious pops +50% Army damage +30% Species minimum habitability −30% Species habitability cap +10% Pop amenities usage Cannot be set to Livestock slavery		1	−500		Extremely unpleasant to be in the vicinity of, beings with this trait take vindication from being insufferable to everyone else.
Inorganic Breath	+0.02 Exotic gases per 100 pops +50% Pop upkeep		3	+1000		The slightly toxic digestive methods of this species have resulted in a highly exotic breath composition.
Unbreakable Resolve	+0.2 Stability per 100 free pops (max +15)		2	+1000		Bound by an intricate web of mirror neurons, these individuals possess an innate ability to synchronize their will. Duty is not a burden, but a shared purpose, and hardship is met with unwavering unity.
Photoadaptive	+10 Years leader lifespan +15% Physicist jobs in systems with a black hole +15% Engineer jobs in systems with a class M star Worker and Menial Drone job efficiency scale with star class +15% around Pulsars and Neutron Stars +10% around B, A, F and Astral Star +5% around G, K and File:X Star.png Viridescent Lightbringer −5% around M Stars −15% around T Brown Dwarfs, Black Holes and Protostars		2	+1000		This species resonates with starlight. Variations in stellar luminosity subtly reshape their biology as they journey between stars.
Reaver	+5% Trader job efficiency Commanders gain the Plunderer trait		2	+500		Cunning, not camaraderie, shaped this species' evolution. Every interaction is a contest of will, and survival belongs to the most ruthless.
Recursive Learners	+1.25% Job efficiency per district depending on arkship Metallurgists, Artisans and Astro-Harvesters on civilian arkships Engineers, Biologists, Physicists on scientific arkships Engineers and Soldiers on military arkships		1	+500		Born to the Arkship, this species refines its knowledge in generational cycles, each cohort improving upon the last to meet their vessel's unique demands.

Vocational Genomics

The Vocational Genomics trait cannot be selected at game start, but can be added through genetic modification after researching the Targeted Gene Expressions technology. It enables auto-modding, and will automatically adjust to provide bonuses associated with the pop's current job.

Trait	Effects			Description
Vocational Genomics	Enables Auto-Modding	3	+1000	Advanced genetic strings feature epigenetic triggers that adapt to occupational demands, dynamically optimizing gene expression for the host's work environment.

Positive phenotype traits

Phenotype traits can only be added to certain species classes or certain portraits from other classes that visibly have the trait. These restrictions are removed if the empires finishes the Genetics tradition tree or adopts the Unnatural Selection tradition. Empires with the Evolutionary Predators origin can obtain these traits via the Adaptive Evolution situation even if they lack the required DLC by gaining the phenotype DNA from events.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts	Species class	Additional portraits			Description	DLC
Phototrophic	Replaces half of base pop upkeep with Energy		Plantoid Fungoid		1	+1000	This species is sustained by a combination of both food and sunlight.
Radiotrophic	Replaces half of base pop upkeep with Energy No Energy upkeep on Tomb Worlds +10% Tomb World pop growth speed +10% Tomb World habitability		Plantoid Fungoid Lithoid Thermophile		2	+1500	This species is sustained by a combination of both food and low-energy radiation, and as such can thrive on the most inhospitable of worlds.
Invasive Species	+5% Habitability per negative trait +5% Pop growth speed per negative trait	All positive non-botanical biological traits	Plantoid Fungoid		2	0	Rapid reproduction. High dispersal ability. Zero useful capabilities.
Budding	+0.02 Organic pop assembly per 100 pops		Plantoid Fungoid		2	+2000	This species is capable of reproduction by budding, in addition to the more usual fertilization of seeds or spores.
Crystallization	+0.02 Organic pop assembly per 100 pops		Lithoid		2	+2000	With crystalline growths, this species is capable of generating self replicating lattices of themselves, in addition to the more usual reproductive methods.
Gaseous Byproducts	+0.01 Exotic gases per 100 pops		Lithoid		2	+1000	The metabolic processes of this species cause regular venting of gases useful to industry.
Scintillating Skin	+0.01 Rare crystals per 100 pops		Lithoid		2	+1000	The outermost layer of this species is studded with sparkling crystals and gemstones that occasionally flake off.
Volatile Excretions	+0.01 Volatile motes per 100 pops		Lithoid		2	+1000	The highly compressed spoor created by this species is unstable and contains an unbelievable amount of power.
Familial	+0.1% Happiness per 100 Familial pops (max +20%)		Humanoid Mammalian Avian		2	+1000	Bound by deep, enduring relationships with their closest relatives, this species forms highly efficient and cohesive collectives.
Genetic Memory	+0.5% Habitability per colony age (max +25%)		Humanoid Mammalian Necroid		3	+1000	Passing down knowledge and learnings from one generation to the next has been the start of many civilizations. This species has taken it a step further by encoding survival insights directly into their genetic code, ensuring that each generation is born with the accumulated wisdom of their ancestors.
Camouflage	+10% Physicist job efficiency +20% Army health		Arthropoid Reptilian Aquatic		1	+500	Masters of disguise, this species seamlessly merges with their surroundings, rendering themselves nearly invisible to predators and prey alike. Their innate understanding of optics gives them an edge in guerilla warfare.
Chromalogs	+40% Army health +15% Governing ethics attraction +20% Physicist job efficiency +20% Bureaucrat job efficiency		Arthropoid Reptilian Aquatic		4	+1500	Harnessing the artistry of color, this species has transcended mere camouflage, evolving to communicate through the vibrant and intricate patterns displayed on their bodies.
Egg Laying	+15% Biological growth speed if local surplus of Food +15% Lithoid growth speed if local surplus of Minerals		Avian Reptilian Aquatic		2	+500	The young of this species do not develop inside a parent, but inside the protective shell of an egg. This allows for rapid growth during times of plenty.
Spare Organs	Leaders survive their first death 20% Chance to replace lost offensive armies +50% Livestock Output		Molluscoid Necroid Toxoid		2	+1000	This species evolved redundant organs to survive even the most grievous injuries - a successful adaptation, as evidenced by their continued existence.
Seasonal Dormancy	−15% Employed pop upkeep −75% Unemployed pop upkeep		Mammalian Reptilian		2	+500	This species has evolved on a planet with cyclical seasons that support hibernation. In the modern age, these seasonal triggers can be artificially simulated to efficiently store less productive members of society.
Flight	−30% Army damage taken +1 Effective commander skill level		Avian Arthropoid		2	+500	This species soars above the constraints of the earth, freely navigating the skies. Their cities feature unique, dense layouts, optimized for aerial inhabitants. In conflict, they prove to be elusive and difficult targets.
Spatial Mastery	−50% Army damage taken −10% Pop housing usage +1 Effective leader skill level		Avian Arthropoid		4	+1000	Not only capable of flight, this species possesses unique cerebral adaptations, enabling them to instinctively process and navigate three-dimensional spaces. These abilities make them unparalleled in planning battles, surveying planets, and managing cities.
Shelled	+10% Habitability −30% Pop housing usage		Molluscoid Necroid		3	+1500	Whether naturally grown or found by chance (or design), this species carries their homes with them. These shells provide a protective sanctuary, ensuring there is always a place to rest for the night.
Acidic Vascularity	+250 Army damage dealt when armies die −75% Purged pop resource output		Necroid Toxoid		1	+500	The internal fluids of this species serve as their most potent defense. Highly corrosive and lethal, these liquids ensure that any enemies regret poking holes.
Uncanny Intuition	+2 Effective councilor skill level		Psionic		3	+2000	This species exhibits an inexplicable ability to navigate through complex problems on its first attempt.
Cranial Hypertrophy	+15% Researcher job efficiency −10% Worker job efficiency −10% Menial Drone job efficiency		Psionic		2	+1500	The frame of this species' neural encasement has inflated to the point where its physical capabilities have become somewhat limited.
Cranial Megatrophy	+25% Researcher job efficiency −20% Worker job efficiency −20% Menial Drone job efficiency		Psionic		4	+2000	The frame of this species' neural encasement has inflated to its ultimate biological limit.
Crucible Community	+0.25 Edict fund per 100 pops		Thermophile		1	+500	Tempered by adversity and bound by shared struggle, this species has been forged into an unbreakable whole. Their collective will fuels governance, each member a vital link in the chain of unity.
Pyroclastic Channeling	+10% Pop growth speed on Volcanic worlds		Thermophile		1	+500	Shaped by the relentless fury of volcanic worlds, this species does not fear pyroclastic forces - they channel and manipulate them, transforming devastation into a vital source of sustenance and power.
Shell Slag	+0.005 Living metal per 100 pops		Thermophile		2	+500	An intricate symbiosis with Living Metal allows this species to grow not in the traditional sense, but through the accretion and self-assembly of bio-ferrous structures.

Negative traits

Negative traits can be selected in empire creation, and later removed from templates after the Gene Tailoring technology has been researched. They can be added to templates if the empire has one of the following traditions:

• Genetic Resequencing
• Genotype Regeneration
• Unnatural Selection

The Terraphobic trait is only available to species with the Arkship Preference, Habitat Preference or Mutagenic Habitability traits.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts			Description	DLC
Decadent	−10% Worker happiness −10% Slave happiness		−1	−200	This species believes that whenever there is hard work that needs doing, that work is always best done by somebody else.
Deviants	−15% Governing ethics attraction		−1	−200	These people are rebellious in nature and constantly try to challenge the status-quo.
Fleeting	−10 Years leader lifespan if biological −25 Years leader lifespan if lithoid		−1	−200	Time is fleeting for this species. What they lack in longevity, they have to make up in other ways.
Jinxed	+1 Leader maximum negative traits		−1	−500	Leaders from this species seem clumsier and more prone to accidents or vices than average, as if cursed from birth.
Nonadaptive	−10% Habitability		−2	−200	This species does not adapt well to foreign environments.
Psychological Infertility	−30% Pop growth during war and crisis		−2	−1000	Members of this species are extremely sensitive to the rigors of conflict with the resulting stress taking over the more primal urges.
Quarrelsome	−10% Bureaucrat job efficiency		−1	−200	While not inherently distrustful, members of this species are often socially combative.
Repugnant	−20% Influential job efficiency		−2	−200	The physical appearance and customs of this species are considered offensive to most others, and few appreciate them as neighbors.
Sedentary	+35% Resettlement cost		−1	−200	This species has a sedentary past, and its members are reluctant to migrate away from where they grew up.
Slow Breeders	−10% Pop growth speed		−2	−1000	This species reproduces at a slow rate, lowering population growth.
Slow Learners	−10% Leader experience gain		−1	−200	Members of this species are slow to learn from their experiences.
Solitary	+10% Pop housing usage		−1	−200	Members of this species tend to be solitary and territorial, often becoming agitated in crowded conditions.
Unruly	+10% Empire size from pops		−2	−200	Unruly species are difficult to manage and organize. They do not like being told what to do, and are often quarrelsome or questioning.
Wasteful	+10% Pop consumer goods upkeep		−1	−200	Members of this species seemingly have no concept of frugality and are prone to useless consumption.
Weak	−20% Army Damage −10% Soldier job efficiency −2.5% Worker job efficiency −2.5% Menial Drone job efficiency		−1	−1000	Members of this species are physically weaker than average, making them poor fighters on the ground.
Terraphobic	−35% Army damage −15% Job efficiency on planets +15% Pop amenities usage on planets		−1	−250	Having adapted to life aboard artificial environments, this species finds planetary environments oppressive. Gravity, atmosphere, and terrain pose constant challenges to their frail physiology.

Negative phenotype traits

Phenotype traits can only be added to certain species classes or certain portraits from other classes that visibly have the trait. These restrictions are removed if the empires finishes the Genetics tradition tree or adopts the Unnatural Selection tradition.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts	Species class	Additional portraits			Description	DLC
Nascent Stage	New pops are pre-sapient for the first 5 years		Humanoid Mammalian Reptilian Arthropoid		−2	−1000	This species gives birth at an early stage of development, resulting in a prolonged period where the young are incapable of contributing to society. During this time, they remain blissfully unaware of the responsibilities and burdens that come with sapience.
Permeable Skin	−20% Habitability on worlds with a different climate category	All non-standard climate preference traits	Molluscoid Aquatic		−1	−1000	Specially developed skin that requires ideal conditions coats this species. As long as this species does not stray far from their home climate that shouldn't be a problem.
Hollow Bones	−0.67% Worker job efficiency per planet size −0.67% Menial Drone job efficiency per planet size −0.67% Soldier job efficiency per planet size		Avian Toxoid		−3	−400	Plagued by inherent fragility, this species must exercise extreme caution in daily activities to avoid cracking up during even the most mundane tasks.
Rooted	+200% Resettlement cost Pops will not resettle automatically		Fungoid Plantoid		−3	−400	This species literally takes root in whichever environment they find themselves, making removal a highly traumatic experience.
Brittle	+0.5 Pop amenities usage		Lithoid Necroid		−3	−1000	Plagued by inherent fragility, this species must exercise extreme caution in daily activities to avoid cracking up during even the most mundane tasks.
Haunting Visions	−10% Elite job efficiency −10% Specialist job efficiency −10% Complex Drone job efficiency		Psionic		−2	−2000	Entities from other dimensions send maddening visions into the minds of this species, affecting their ability to perform complex tasks.

Civic traits

The following traits are added to the founder species when starting the game with a certain civic and can never be removed. None of them costs any trait point.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts		Civic	Description	DLC
Stargazer	+10% Habitability −50% Resettlement cost		+500	Stargazers	This species has always, consciously or not, longed to traverse the void between the stars.
Storm Touched	+10% Job efficiency in a cosmic storm −10% Pop amenities usage in a cosmic storm		0	Storm Devotion Storm Devotion Storm Influencers	Being inside a cosmic storm fills the Storm Touched with devotional aspiration.
Tankbound	−50% Food (or equivalent) Pop upkeep +50% Pop amenities usage −25% Pop growth speed Cannot be employed in Worker jobs Cannot be recruited in armies		0	Tankbound Tankbound Corporate Thinktank	This species lives out its existence suspended in a vat of specialized bio-fluids. As such, they are heavily reliant on assistive equipment and incapable of engaging directly in physical work.

Origin traits

The following traits are added to the founder species when starting the game with a certain civic. If a biological species completes synthetic ascension its origin trait will be replaced with the machine species version of the trait. Driven Assimilator or Rogue Servitor secondary species will use these origin traits as well.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts			Origin	Notes	Description	DLC
Serviles	+10% Happiness +10% Worker job efficiency Cannot be employed in elite or specialist jobs Cannot generate leaders		1	+500	Syncretic Evolution (secondary species)	Cannot be removed	This species evolved alongside a second, more advanced civilization. Never particularly intelligent to begin with, selective breeding for physical prowess and docility has reduced them to servile proles.
Survivor	+10 Years leader lifespan +70% Tomb World habitability −10% Pop housing usage −15% Pop amenities usage		0	+500	Post-Apocalyptic	Can be removed	This species has survived the horrors of a nuclear apocalypse. Their capacity for thriving in the most inhospitable of circumstances should not be underestimated.
Void Dweller	+15% Job efficiency on habitats −15% Job efficiency on planets −30% Pop happiness on planets		0	+500	Void Dwellers	Can be added if: Void Dwellers origin Habitat Preference Can be removed if either: Genetic Resequencing tradition Genotype Regeneration tradition	This species thrives in orbital habitats, with an inherent ability to efficiently navigate their maze-like corridors and complicated architecture. They are at ease in zero gravity but do not respond well to a planetary environment.
Necrophage	+80 Years leader lifespan −50% Pop upkeep +5% Elite job efficiency +5% Specialist job efficiency −10% Worker job efficiency −50% Pop growth speed −50% Organic pop growth multiplier		0	0	Necrophage	Cannot be removed	This species of near-immortals procreates by consuming pops of other species.
Cave Dweller	+50% Species minimum habitability +15% Mining job efficiency +10% Empire size from pops −10% Biological pop growth speed		0	+500	Subterranean	Cannot be removed	This species thrives under the surface of any planet they can inhabit.
Perfected Genes	+25 Years leader lifespan −20% Leader experience gain		0	0	Under One Rule	Cannot be removed	Millennia of genetic experimentation and war have led to the creation of a highly resilient species.
Pathogenic Genes	Pops decline naturally Cannot reproduce naturally Cannot colonize or be resettled		−1	0	Synthetic Fertility	Cannot be removed	A novel genetic disease prevents this species from producing offspring. It has resisted all known gene therapy methods.
Malleable Genes	Enables Auto-Modding Cannot be genetically modified		6	+500	Evolutionary Predators	Cannot be removed	This species does not stick as rigidly to identifiable features and organs as most other species do. Instead they grow the best appendage for the job. However this instability has some drawbacks.
Wilderness	Cannot colonize megastructures Cannot colonize artificial worlds Will slowly die in non-Wilderness empires		0	0	Wilderness	Can only be added or removed through assimilation if either: Engineered Genesis tradition Genotype Regeneration tradition Planned Polymorphism tradition Evolutionary Extrapolation tradition Transubstantiation Synthesis ( Hive Mind only) Inevitable Assimilation ( Driven Assimilator only)	This species exists as part of a mutualistic entity, made indistiguishable from its environment in its thoughts and productive output.
Blind	+10% Happiness +25% Bureaucrat job efficiency −50% Job efficiency		0	0	Endbringers (situation approach)	Cannot be removed	Where we are going, we won't need eyes to see.

Hard Reset traits

Empires with the Hard Reset origin start the game with a positive and a negative trait. They cannot be removed through species modification, but may be downgraded based on choices made during the Embodied Identity situation. None of the traits cost any trait points.

Positive trait			Negative trait
Trait	Effects	Description	Trait	Effects	Description
Cyber Commandos	Commanders have the Cyber Commando III trait +75% Army damage +15% Soldier job efficiency +30% Happiness when at war or crisis −20% Pop growth speed	Total limb replacements and bonded nanomesh body armor ensure these cyborgs can wage war with brutal efficiency. As a consequence, several non-military bodily functions have been sacrificed.	Unplugged	+1 Pop amenities usage −10 Happiness when not at war or crisis −20 Years leader lifespan	Several of these cyborgs' augments were designed to utilize a battlefield network which no longer exists, causing intense stress and discomfort.
Cyber Shock Troops	Commanders have the Cyber Commando II trait +50% Army damage +10% Soldier job efficiency −10% Pop growth speed	These cyborgs benefit from a holistic approach to embodied loadouts. Rather than fully-integrated body armor, swappable augments allow for a modicum of non-military function.	Disconnected	+1 Pop amenities usage −10 Happiness when not at war or crisis	The ill-fitting nature of these cyborgs' imposed, military augments greatly reduces their quality of life and increases their bodies' demands during periods of rehabilitation.
Cyber Soldiers	Commanders have the Cyber Commando trait +25% Army damage +5% Soldier job efficiency	Elegant augmentations to these cyborgs' senses, glands, and motor nerves ensure they remain fierce and capable warriors while only marginally impacting their reproductive capabilities.	Haunted	+1 Pop amenities usage	Auditory hallucinations and other sensory echoes from their former machine consciousness still haunt these cyborgs, causing them to suffer severe bouts of depression and anxiety.
De-Cyberized	+5% Happiness +20% Governing ethics attraction +10% Biologist job efficiency +10% Bureaucrat job efficiency	These ex-cyborgs have disabled or cast off the augments which had once been forced upon them, reclaiming many of their species' organic, inherited attributes.

Roughly a year after the Embodied Identity situation has been concluded, if the founder species does not have the De-Cyberized trait the empire will be offered the option to gain one of three traits for the founder species:

Trait	Effects	Description
Neuro-Calmed	−5% Empire size from pops +15% Governing ethics attraction	These cyborgs have their Neuroxene levels downregulated, reducing impulsivity and aggression, driving individuals to de-prioritize personal gain in favor of societal norms.
Neuro-Savant	+10% Leader experience gain −1 Leader maximum negative traits	These cyborgs have their Cognivex levels upregulated, enhancing synaptic plasticity, information retention, and problem-solving abilities.
Regen-Optimized	+10% Habitability +10% Pop growth speed	These cyborgs have their Regenol-X levels upregulated, harmonizing biological and synthetic systems, allowing cybernetic implants to self-repair at the molecular level.

Clone Army traits

Empires with the Clone Army origin start the game with the Clone Soldier trait. After completing the Homeworld Excavation archaeology site, the empire gets the Genetic Crossroads event chain, allowing it to choose between replacing the trait with Clone Soldier Descendant or Clone Soldier Ascendant. Each of the Clone Solder traits adds a corresponding Commander trait. None of the Clone Soldier traits can be removed and they do not cost any trait points.

Pops with the Clone Soldier or Clone Soldier Ascendant traits cannot reproduce naturally, must be assembled and sustained by the Ancient Clone Vat buildings, and will decline with insufficient buildings. They cannot be sold on the slave market or used as a founder species in a released sector, and cannot be genetically modified without adopting the Clone Synthetization tradition after choosing the Clone Potential path.

Ascended Clone Army empires that adopted Cloning traditions can support additional pops through Clone Vats, Gene Clinics, and Genomic Research Facilities. The Clone Synthetization tradition will also allow them to genetically modify Clone Soldier pops and add the Clone Soldier trait to other species. The sustained pop limit is shared by all Clone Soldier pops regardless of species.

Trait	Effects	Commander trait	Conflicts		Description
Clone Soldier	+50% Governing ethics attraction +50% Army damage +25% Pop upkeep −40 Years leader lifespan Cannot reproduce naturally Decline without sufficient Clone Vat buildings	Clone Army Commander			Engineered for compliance and war: short-lived, unable to reproduce naturally, and very efficient.
Clone Soldier Ascendant	+50% Governing ethics attraction +20% Habitability +40% Elite job efficiency +25% Specialist job efficiency +75% Army damage +25% Army health +30% Pop upkeep Cannot reproduce naturally Decline without sufficient Clone Vat buildings	Ascendant Clone Army Commander			Clones at their genetically-engineered peak, with further improved strength, efficiency, durability, and longevity - but forever infertile.
Clone Soldier Descendant	+20% Governing ethics attraction +20% Army damage +10% Pop upkeep	Descendant Clone Army Commander		+1000	Once infertile, engineered for compliance and war. Their genetic edge diminished, they are now stable enough for natural reproduction.

Overtuned traits

Empires with the Overtuned origin can select these traits in empire creation and change them through genetic modification. They can also be removed by empires with the Genetic Resequencing or Genotype Regeneration tradition. Overtuned traits provide bonuses similar to basic traits for less points but also reduce leader lifespan and pop growth speed. Overtuned traits have their effects doubled by the Damn the Consequences edict.

Trait	Effects	Lifespan	Growth Speed			Description
Augmented Intelligence	+10% Researcher job efficiency	−10 years	−1.5%	1	+1000	More brains equals more brain power. Extra thinking organs have been added in strategic areas of the recipient's body to ensure maximum cognitive capacity. Even if they don't always agree.
Commercial Genius	+25% Trader job efficiency	−10 years	−1.5%	1	+1000	By tweaking agreeability and dialing down empathy, anyone can be turned into a trading genius. The pursuit of unmatched commercial dominance outweighs any potential side effects.
Crafted Smiles	+15% Influential job efficiency	−10 years	−1.5%	1	+1000	Slightly shifted facial features, a mix of enhanced and slackened muscular development - and of course outside chemicals - have created the perfect smile. Forever.
Dedicated Miner	+15% Mining job efficiency	−10 years	−1.5%	1	+1000	Supreme hand-eye coordination, near endless endurance and self-purifying lungs have created entire crack teams of miners. Sadly they get brittle without sunlight.
Expressed Tradition	+10% Bureaucrat job efficiency	−10 years	−1.5%	1	+1000	Fanaticism on demand: faith is merely a cocktail of hormones, one we have perfected. Where that faith eventually leads is a matter of subsequent guidance.
Farm Appendages	+15% Farming job efficiency	−10 years	−1.5%	1	+1000	The more appendages, the higher the farming output. Some appendages can even operate while their host is asleep. Rumors of hosts strangled by their new limbs have been deemed unfounded in our latest investigation.
Gene Mentorship	+30% Leader experience gain	−10 years	−1.5%	1	+1000	By combining genetically redesigned 'instinctive knowledge' and outside chemical stimuli, we have succeeded in vastly accelerating our learning capacities. Although it has resulted in some extremely paranoid individuals.
Juiced Power	+40% Army damage +5% Worker job efficiency +5% Menial Drone job efficiency +5% Soldier job efficiency	−10 years	−1.5%	1	+1000	Adrenaline released on demand and hyper-potent growth hormones have led to a massive increase in strength. Just ignore the occasional internal tearing.
Low Maintenance	−10% Pop consumer goods upkeep	−10 years	−1.5%	1	+1000	Reduced consumption, excretion, and rest rates have resulted in twice the beings for half the price. However, demand for protein-rich meals has increased.
Spliced Adaptability	+20% Habitability	−10 years	−1.5%	1	+1000	A few genetic snips and slices here and there and they can survive nearly anywhere. The process comes with an acceptable number of deaths from side effects.
Technical Talent	+15% Technician job efficiency	−10 years	−1.5%	1	+1000	Extra internal organs grant a vastly increased innate sensitivity to electricity and magnetic fields. Reports of recipients hearing screams and voices from the reactors should be ignored.
Fleeting Excellence	Enables Auto-Modding	−20 years		2	+1000	Advanced epigenetic triggers boost physical and cognitive performance in the workplace, dramatically shortening life expectancy. After all, fading away is never as much fun as burning out.
Elevated Synapses	+20% Researcher job efficiency −25% Leader upkeep −1 Leader maximum negative traits	−30 years	−5%	2	+2000	As a computational device, a brain does not run at 100% capacity. However, we have gone beyond the standard usage. If issues are encountered, try turning it off and on again.
Pre-Planned Growth	−10% Pop housing usage +15% Pop upkeep	−30 years	+30%	2	+2000	Scheduled fertility, scheduled interest, scheduled compatibility. Population growth on demand for a strong and stable population - with a few minor edits here and there. Jealous individuals are to be directed to the nearest Fertility Center for mandatory training.
Excessive Endurance	+5% Job efficiency +30% Habitability	−30 years	−5%	3	+2000	The greatest in adaptability genes have been hyper-expressed in these specimens. Mutation rates around 30% indicate a somewhat stable and successful experiment.

Cybernetic Creed traits

Empires with the Cybernetic Creed origin will begin with the Ritualistic Implants and can replace it with a faction-specific trait during the The Conclave of Fusion situation. Each of these traits gives leaders the Ritualistic Implants trait, increases the pops' price on the slave market by +500 and prevents the species from being modified until the The Conclave of Fusion situation ends.

Trait	Effects	Creed	Description
Ritualistic Implants	+5% Bureaucrat job efficiency +5% Metallurgist job efficiency +5% Artisan job efficiency +5% Soldier job efficiency +5% Engineer job efficiency +5% Worker job efficiency +5% Army damage	None selected The United Creeds	These implants are proudly adorned by the faithful. Their dedication to the divine is an inspiration to all.
Augmentations of the Choir	+10% Bureaucrat job efficiency +10% Researcher job efficiency	The Choir of the Mind	The Choir of the Mind's semi-interlinked consciousness allows instant communication between researchers.
Augmentations of the Commune	+10% Bureaucrat job efficiency +10% Worker job efficiency	The Commune of Toil	The Commune of Toil's divine augmentations surpass traditional tools in every respect.
Augmentations of the Fellowship	+10% Bureaucrat job efficiency +10% Metallurgist job efficiency +10% Artisan job efficiency	The Fellowship of the Hammer	The Fellowship of the Hammer uses divine augmentation to create everything the faithful need.
Augmentations of the Templars	+10% Bureaucrat job efficiency +10% Soldier job efficiency +10% Army health +10% Army damage	The Templars of Steel	The divine augmentations of the Templars of Steel make our holy warriors unstoppable in battle.

Pre-sapient traits

Pre-sapient species have exclusive traits that cannot otherwise be chosen when creating or modifying a species. They retain these traits after being uplifted as a sapient species and the traits do not cost any trait points. A few pre-sapient traits are found only in certain species but can also be added if a sapient species is turned pre-sapient by a covenant with the Composer of Strands. They can be removed from templates if the empire has one of the following:

• Epigenetic Triggers technology
• Genetic Resequencing tradition
• Genotype Regeneration tradition

Trait	Effects	Conflicts	Notes	Description
Conservative	+5% Happiness +25% Governing ethics attraction −33% Leader experience gain			Members of this species often prefer old wisdom over new experiences.
Earthbound	+10% Technician job efficiency +50% Defense army damage			Members of this species are very possessive of the planets they call home.
Natural Intellectuals	+5% Bureaucrat job efficiency +10% Research job efficiency −10% Mining job efficiency			Members of this species are more philosophically inclined than most.
Proles	+10% Army damage +10% Mining job efficiency +10% Farming job efficiency −15% Research job efficiency			This species has traditionally shunned intellectual pursuits in favor of physical labor.
Starborn	−50% Resettlement cost +10% Habitability			This species has always, consciously or not, longed to traverse the void between the stars.
Irradiated	+100% Tomb World habitability +30 Years leader lifespan		Species generated by Genesis Guides Genesis Guides Astrogenesis Technologies Genesis Symbiotes Genesis Architects civics can only have this trait if generated on a Tomb World or their homeworld	This species has evolved to thrive in environments subject to extremely high levels of background radiation.
Forcefully Devolved	−10% Army damage −10% Job efficiency −10% Pop growth speed −25% Leader experience gain		Added by the Devolving Beam colossus weapon Pre-FTL civilization species have a 1% chance to have the trait	The brutal devolution process endured by this species had a strong negative impact upon their abilities.
Docile Livestock	+30% Pop growth speed +10% Bureaucrat job efficiency −50% Technician job efficiency −75% Researcher job efficiency		Only found through the Overgrown Ruins anomaly, or added by the Composer of Strands	Docile and delicious, this species has had its higher brain functions genetically altered to create a kind of harmless livestock that can care for itself, without the pesky need for social interaction or self-determination.
Unintelligent	+20% Pop growth speed −100% Technician job efficiency −100% Researcher job efficiency		Only found through the Rapid Desertification anomaly	This species is unable to complete even the simplest tasks. Their only skill is the incredible speed at which they reproduce.
Pre-Sapient	Becomes sapient after 5 years Cannot be uplifted Cannot be purged regardless of Pre-Sapients policy		Added to new pops with the Nascent Stage trait	Spending a brief time bereft of conscious thought, this species will soon grow up to be a fully sapient being.

Acquired traits

These traits are not available at game start, but can be gained over the course of the game. They do not cost any trait points, but cannot be added through genetic modification, even by applying an existing template.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts		Source	Can be removed	Description	DLC
Not of this World	−10 Years leader lifespan +10% Pop upkeep +0.5 Physics research per 100 pops		0	Plight of the Beta-Universe situation mirror species		This species is not from this universe and is degrading slowly.
Brain Slug Host	+10% Researcher job efficiency +10% Bureaucrat job efficiency −25% Pop growth speed		0	Abandoned Settlements anomaly		This species is enjoying the presence of a neural symbiont: a helpful slug that attaches itself to the brain stem of its host.
Unlifted	−60% Researcher job efficiency		−150	Enigmatic Cache	Epigenetic Triggers technology Genetic Resequencing tradition Genotype Regeneration tradition	This species has suffered the tragic consequences of an uplifting gone wrong.
Somewhat Uplifted	+10% Researcher job efficiency		+500	Enigmatic Cache		This species was partially uplifted by a benevolent extragalactic intellect and has left some of its pre-sapient origins behind.
Uplifted	+10% Researcher job efficiency +10% Leader experience gain		+750	Enigmatic Cache		This species was uplifted by a benevolent extragalactic intellect and has left its pre-sapient origins behind.
Bloomed	+10% Job efficiency on Gaia Worlds +10% Pop growth speed on Gaia Worlds −10% Pop amenities usage on Gaia Worlds −10% Pop housing usage on Gaia Worlds		+2000	Gaia Seeders final phase building Plantoid or Fungoid species or empire has Unnatural Selection tradition	Genetic Resequencing tradition Genotype Regeneration tradition	This species has been exposed to the transformational effects of a Gaia Seeder, causing it to sprout mutualistic blooms of lichen when living on Gaia Worlds.
Zombie	−100% Pop upkeep −25% Job efficiency Not sapient Cannot generate leaders Cannot be employed in elite or specialist jobs Cannot be employed in complex drone jobs Not affected by happiness Cannot be used in colony ships Cannot join factions Cannot be the founder species in a released sector Cannot colonize Cannot reproduce naturally		+500	Pop was either: Assembled with a Reassigner employed on planet Purged with Mechromancy ascension perk (33% chance)		The remains of a once-proud sapient being, this husk is not suitable for much more than the simplest tasks.
Plasmic	+15% Habitability +15% Pop growth speed −10% Pop housing usage		+2500	Plasmic Core relic activation		The external membrane and amorphous body of this species allows them to adapt to any environment and renders them immune to a wide variety of diseases.
Storm Fused	+10% Job efficiency in a cosmic storm +5% Happiness in a cosmic storm		0	Patriotic Institute of Celebration building		The Storm Fused learned to cultivate their Inner Storm as they strain for enlightenment.
Geleboric Mutations	+25% Biologist job efficiency −10% Happiness −20% Leader lifespan −20% Pop growth speed		0	Fatal Mutations event		Unfortunate reactions to experimentation drastically altered this species' physiology.
Inner Darkness	+0.02 Dark Matter per 100 pops		0	Dark Matter Contamination event		Their bodies enhanced following saturation in Dark Matter, they now vent trace amounts of non-baryonic particles at regular intervals but will burn through their expected lifespan more quickly.
Psionic Ephapse	+5% Happiness +5% Job efficiency +5% Bureaucrat efficiency if Psionic or Latent Psionic +5% Researcher efficiency if Psionic or Latent Psionic		0	Emergent Abilities event		After long-term exposure to mind-altering bacteria, this species' digestive system produces psionic probiotics that promote telepathic communication between affected individuals.
Marked	+0.06 Unity per 100 pops +6% Army morale damage −6% Army health		0	Psionic Ascension situation event Endbringers origin		In a gruesome display of devotion, this species has branded its flesh with the mark of 'The End'.

Ascension traits

Ascension traits can only be added by completing certain ascensions.

Assimilation traits

These traits are added by assimilation or events, and cannot be added or removed through genetic modification. None of them costs any trait points. When a species is assimilated to add a trait, all traits that conflict with it will be removed.

Trait	Effects		Primary sources	Secondary sources	Description
Limited Cybernetic	+5% Job efficiency Replaces half of base pop upkeep with Energy Leaders have the Limited Cyborg trait	0	Limited Cyberization policy		This species has the least amount of implants necessary to function in a cybernetic society.
Cybernetic	+10% Army damage +20% Habitability +40 Years leader lifespan Replaces half of base pop upkeep with Energy Leaders have the Cyborg trait	+1500	Cybernetics tradition tree Transubstantiation Synthesis tradition Driven Assimilator civic	Keepers of Knowledge fallen empire pops Racket Industrial Enterprise pops	This species has embraced cybernetics on such a scale that its members may be considered cyborgs. They routinely replace their organic body parts with more advanced mechanical versions.
Latent Psionic	+10% Researcher job efficiency +5% Bureaucrat job efficiency +5% Enforcer job efficiency Leaders may start with the Psychic trait	+1500	Psionics tradition tree Teachers of the Shroud origin	Shroud Preacher governor trait	This species has latent psionic abilities, which are dormant in most of its members. Although quite rare, these powers will manifest in some leaders.
Psionic	+10% Researcher job efficiency +10% Bureaucrat job efficiency +10% Enforcer job efficiency +5% Happiness Leaders have the Psychic trait	+1500	Great Awakening tradition	Holy Guardians fallen empire pops Ketling Star Pack pops Extradimensional species Psi-Inoculate Pops decision	All members of this species possess powerful psionic abilities. They typically communicate with each other through telepathy.

Biological ascension traits

Biological ascension traits are unlocked for genetic modification through biological ascension traditions.

Advanced genetic traits

Advanced genetic traits are unlocked for genetic modification by the Allelic Expression or Exemplary Genetics or Unnatural Selection traditions. They can only be removed by empires that have the Genetic Resequencing or Genotype Regeneration or Unnatural Selection traditions.

If the empire has the Exemplary Genetics tradition, all of these traits except Exotic Metabolism have their cost reduced by −1, while their cost for Species Genetic Perfection calculation of purity authorities are not changed.

If the empire has the Somatic Synthesization tradition, the Vat-Grown trait can be added or removed regardless of other requirements and has its cost reduced to 0.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts			Notes	Description
Delicious	+100% Livestock job efficiency		2	+1000	Organic species only	This species has the curious evolutionary adaptation of being highly nutritious when eaten.
Felsic			2	+1000	Lithoid species only	This species has been engineered to be especially mineral-rich.
Ductile			2	+1500	Thermophile species only	This species has been engineered to grow reusable alloy compounds.
Natural Machinist	+25% Metallurgist job efficiency +25% Artisan job efficiency		3	+2000		This species has been engineered to have an incredible knack at working with machinery.
Nerve Stapled	−15% Empire size from pops +15% Job efficiency −90% Civilian job efficiency Not sapient Cannot generate leaders Cannot be employed in elite or specialist jobs Cannot be employed in complex drone jobs Not affected by happiness Cannot be used in colony ships Cannot join factions Cannot be the founder species in a released sector		4	+1500		Unessential neural pathways relating to self-preservation and free-will are severed, creating a docile and obedient client species.
Vat-Grown	+25% Organic pop growth multiplier −5% Pop housing usage −10% Pop amenities usage Cannot reproduce naturally		2	+1500	Can also be added or removed with: Somatic Synthesization tradition (Cost reduced to 0)	Artificially grown in cloning vats, the natural reproductive abilities of this species have been negatively impacted.
Erudite	+20% Researcher job efficiency −10% Leader upkeep −1 Leader maximum negative traits Leaders have the Erudite trait		4	+2000		Biological engineering has unlocked previously dormant parts of this species' brains, greatly increasing mental acuity.
Fertile	+20% Pop growth speed −5% Pop housing usage +10% Happiness		4	+2000	Can also be removed with: Somatic Synthesization tradition	The natural fecundity of this species has been dramatically enhanced through aggressive physical and behaviorial sculpting.
Robust	+30% Habitability +5% Job efficiency +50 Years leader lifespan		4	+2000		Bio-Optimized organs with redundant functions have made this species extraordinarily resistant to environmental hazards and disease.
Exotic Metabolism	+50 Years leader lifespan +0.125 Exotic gas upkeep per 100 pops +25% Pop growth speed +25% Habitability		1	+750	Toxoids DLC Can also be removed with: Somatic Synthesization tradition	A metabolism based on exotic - and expensive - gases has vastly enhanced this species' abilities.

Adaptive Mutations

Empires without the Evolutionary Predators origin obtain the Adaptive Mutations trait upon adopting Mutation tradition tree, or later by launching the Divergence Directive agenda.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts		Description
Adaptive Mutations	Enables Auto-Modding		+500	By introducing hyper-adaptive nucleotides into the genetic structure of this species, they are capable of evolutionary changes in real time.

Nucleotide Isolation traits

Nucleotide Isolation traits can be obtained in two ways:

• They can be added through genetic modification via the Nucleotide Isolation tradition.
• They can be obtained from the Orbital Speed Demon event chain, in which case they will also come with their trait point cost reduced by −1, while their cost for Species Genetic Perfection calculation of purity authorities are not changed.

Trait	Effects			Alien Box solution	Description
Bioadaptability	−5% Pop amenities usage +5% Pop growth speed +30% Species minimum habitability	1	+500	Green	This species has been modified to be slightly more adaptive and can now better endure harsh climates.
Limited Regeneration	−5% Pop amenities usage +5% Pop growth speed +15% Army damage +10% Years leader lifespan	1	+250	Blue	This species has been modified to heal faster, making them more dangerous in battle and somewhat longer-lived in general.
Social Pheromones	−5% Pop amenities usage +5% Pop growth speed −5% Pop housing usage	1	+250	Red	This species has been modified to be more social and accepting of crowded conditions.

Biological leviathan traits

Biological leviathan traits can only be added by empires that defeated certain guardians and either completed the Genetics tradition tree or adopted the Nucleotide Isolation tradition.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts			Guardians	Description
Drake-Scaled	+100% Army health +0.5 Alloys per 100 pops		3	+1000	Ether Drake Shard Sky Dragon	This species has the genetic material from a stellar dragon spliced into its DNA. As such, they shed scales which can be recycled into useful alloys.
Polymelic	+0.1 Organic pop assembly per 100 pops		3	+1500	Tiyanki Matriarch	This species has added genetic material from the Tiyanki Matriarch into their DNA sequence. This has granted them rapid asexual reproduction, as well as a few unexpected tentacles.
Voidling	+80% Species minimum habitability Uses Energy upkeep instead of Food or Minerals		3	+1500	Voidspawn	This species has the genetic material from the Voidspawn spliced into its DNA. Subsisting off cosmic radiation, they are highly resistant to hostile environments.

Cyborg traits

Cyborg traits can be added to or removed from a Cybernetic species if the empire has the Integrated Anatomy tradition. They are removed if the species is assimilated to remove cybernetic traits.

Empires with the Hard Reset origin or the Augmentation Bazaars civic can select some of these traits at empire creation and add or remove them through species modification.

Positive cyborg traits

Trait	Effects	Conflicts			Can also be added or removed with	Description	DLC
Universal Augmentations	Enables Auto-Modding		2	+1000		Universal plug-and-play connection ports allow augmentations to be replaced as needed, aligning their capabilities with current operational demands.
Efficient Processors	+5% Job efficiency		2	+500		These highly efficient processors increase the both workload and endurance.
Harvesters	+10% Farming job efficiency		1	+750	Augmentation Bazaars civic	A suite of tools, from nutrient solution diagnostics and on-site balancing to per-stalk micro-threshing, enables cybernetic workers to increase produce yields.
Power Drills	+10% Mining job efficiency		1	+750	Augmentation Bazaars civic	Outfit a cyborg with a battery of power drills, and suddenly everything looks like a mineral deposit.
Superconductive	+10% Technician job efficiency		1	+750	Augmentation Bazaars civic	The use of superconductive materials in units have cut energy transmission losses to zero percent.
Double Jointed	−10% Pop housing Usage −35% Resettlement cost		1	+1500		Collapsible labor units with flexible joints enable them to fold neatly into stacks during transportation, then self-assemble on site.
Durable	−0.5 Pop amenities usage		1	+750	Hard Reset origin	Protected by exoskeletons of chrome-plated titanium, these heavy-duty machines were designed to excel under harsh conditions and require less maintenance.
Enhanced Memory	−25% Leader upkeep −1 Leader maximum negative traits		1	+750	Hard Reset origin	A revolutionary technique fits autonomous units with memory cells using a revolutionary, new technique for magnetic induction, improving their performance significantly.
Learning Algorithms	+25% Leader experience gain +1 Effective leader skill level		1	+1500	Hard Reset origin	Sophisticated, self-learning algorithms that stimulate the rapid evolution of a unit's neural clusters.
Logic Engines	+10% Researcher job efficiency		1	+750	Augmentation Bazaars civic	Efficiently navigating the increasingly complex frontiers of science requires parallel processors to augment organic brains.
Loyalty Circuits	+10% Happiness		1	+500	Hard Reset origin Augmentation Bazaars civic	Loyalty as an ideal is a distinctly organic concept. It is much more efficient to simply program compliance.
Streamlined Protocols	−10% Empire size from pops		1	+750	Hard Reset origin	Extensively batched AI processes allow these units to scale greatly with minimal loss of efficiency.
Trading Algorithms	+25% Trader job efficiency		1	+500	Augmentation Bazaars civic	Predictive algorithms allow for maximum optimization. Infinitesimal market fluctuations in currency rates, stock availability, and the emotional response of organic partners are accounted for.
Embellished Augments	+20% Influential job efficiency		1	+750	Augmentation Bazaars civic	This species favors custom engravings, aftermarket components and paint schemes to maximize visual impact. Sometimes the only choice is to flash that chrome.
Compliance Filters	+10% Bureaucrat job efficiency		1	+750	Augmentation Bazaars civic	Cortical analysis units can jolt down users at the inception of seditious thiking, or dispense hormonal rewards to exemplar citizens.
Integrated Weaponry	+100% Army damage +15% Enforcer job efficiency +15% Soldier job efficiency		1	+1000	Hard Reset origin	Fusing armaments with cybernetic limbs offers instant firepower for the army and law enforcement officials alike.
Refurbished Implants	+10% Pop growth speed		1	+1500	Hard Reset origin	The enforced backwards compatibility of mandatory implants greatly reduces the cost of outfitting newborn citizens.
Bionic Engineers	+15% Engineer job efficiency		1	+750	Hard Reset origin	Precision-crafted tools and implant modifications have been created specifically to assist in demanding engineering tasks.
Bionic Physicists	+15% Physicist job efficiency		1	+750		Integrated multi-modal processing produces physics calculations on the fly without requiring a connection to an external computing unit.
Bionic Sociologists	+15% Biologist job efficiency		1	+750		Empathy drivers and behavioral heuristics open a fast track to sociological research, handling complex analytics like a second brain.

Negative cyborg traits

Trait	Effects	Conflicts			Can also be added or removed with	Description	DLC
Power Intensive	+1 Energy upkeep		−1	−250		These cybernetic components require frequent recharging from an external power source.
Bulky	+10% Pop housing usage +35% Resettlement cost		−2	−500		These highly advanced mega-machines were not designed to traverse the universe in a box.
High Bandwidth	+10% Empire size from pops		−2	−150	Hard Reset origin	Individual units send and receive a vast amount of largely duplicate data, causing exponential lag as the number of units attached to each central processing hub increases.
High Maintenance	+0.5 Pop amenities usage		−2	−150	Hard Reset origin	These machines were designed with a complete disregard for longevity and are prone to malfunction. They will require frequent maintenance.
Neural Limiters	−20% Leader experience gain −1 Effective councilor skill level		−2	−250	Hard Reset origin	By limiting the cognitive abilities of our workers we can encourage them to focus on more menial tasks.
Abrasive Implants	−10% Happiness		−1	−150		The implants on these cyborgs are rough and ill-fitting, resulting in subdermal irritation and regular malfunctions. Not bad on the body, but terrible on the mind.
Delicate Frames	−50% Army damage −5% Worker job efficiency −5% Menial Drone job efficiency −15% Soldier job efficiency		−1	−250		Subpar components and installation have resulted in a fragile cyborg chassis. Basic operations are not compromised, but the users are advised to avoid situations with high likelihood of physical trauma.
Scarcity Algorithms	−25% Trader job efficiency		−1	−150		Aggressively cost-aware coding hampers risk-taking and therefore denies opportunities for greater profits.
Limited Memory	−40% Leader experience gain		−2	−150	Hard Reset origin	Insufficient operational memory has bottle-necked the capacity for learning, leaving the user unable to process the entirety of their experiences.
Utilitarian Augments	−20% Influential job efficiency		−2	−500		These cyborgs employ crude but functional parts with minimal consideration for aesthetics. Sometimes the job just has to get done.

Mechanical leviathan traits

Mechanical leviathan traits can only be added by empires that have the Leviathan Tech Genesis technology and defeated the guardian with the same name.

Trait	Effects			Description
Ancient Dreadnought	+500% Army damage +15% Metallurgist job efficiency	2	+1500	Equipped with miniaturized energy modules, there is a marked enhancement in industrial productivity and an increase in frame-integrated weaponry damage.
Enigmatic Fortress	−50% Pop amenities usage	2	+1500	Enigmatic self-repair routines can source materials directly from subspace, dramatically lowering the material expenses associated with repairs.
Infinity Sphere	+25% Researcher job efficiency	2	+1500	Hyperefficient, gravity-resistant processing circuits that minimize energy waste and substantially cut processing costs.
Scavenger Bot	+100% Pop growth speed	2	+1500	Advanced molecular scavenging can transform any substance into the required materials for constructing robotic frames.

Auto-modding only traits

These traits are auto-modding targets of Adaptive Mutations and Malleable Genes. They cannot be directly added to species.

All of these traits increase corresponding job efficiency by +5%, or +10% with the Planned Polymorphism tradition.

Adaptive Mutations trait	Malleable Genes trait	Effects	Description
Adaptive Claws	Malleable Claws	+5% / +10% Mining job efficiency	With diamond-hard digits, this adaptation allows for easier extraction of minerals.
Adaptive Insulators	Malleable Insulators	+5% / +10% Technician job efficiency	A thick insulating layer safeguards against accidents, especially in high-energy environments.
Adaptive Plows	Malleable Plows	+5% / +10% Farming job efficiency	An extra appendage with a hardened shovel-like digit speeds up tilling and planting. Adapting to various terrain types, these malleable plows are always the right tool for the job.
Adaptive Cortex	Malleable Cortex	+5% / +10% Research job efficiency	While an engorged central cortex is slightly uncomfortable, it dramatically accelerates problem-solving and innovation.
Adaptive Sense Organs	Malleable Sense Organs	+5% / +10% Bureaucrat job efficiency	Enhanced sensory organs facilitate a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives. Before you can thrive, you must first observe.
Adaptive Calluses	Malleable Calluses	+5% / +10% Metallurgist job efficiency +5% / +10% Artisan job efficiency	When handling scalding or corrosive materials, extra-thick calluses can be invaluable.
Adaptive Pheromones	Malleable Pheromones	+5% / +10% Trader job efficiency	Highly adaptive pheromones can be incredibly persuasive during negotiations.
Adaptive Harmonics	Malleable Harmonics	+5% / +10% Influential job efficiency	A series of highly-calibrated holes allows this species to produce soothing, and harmonious sounds simply by moving about.

Unique species traits

These traits are present on unique species that can be encountered in the galaxy, and cannot be added to regular species.

Trait	Effects	Conflicts			Species source	Description
Nivlac	+50% Habitability +15% Pop growth speed		2	+100	Impossible Organism event chain	This species possesses perplexing adaptability, allowing it to thrive in most environments and survive virtually everywhere.
Numistic Administration	+25% Trader job efficiency +33% Trade from living standards		1	0	Numistic Order caravan deal	This species has been trained in the holy art of Numistic administration.
Slimespawn	+10% Pop growth speed −10% Pop upkeep		0	0	Toxic Pools archaeological site	This species spawns rapidly from a thick and mucilaginous slime with the aid of a gestational catalyst.

References

Game concepts