Designation

Version

This article has been verified for the current PC version (3.6) of the game.

Designation represents the production focus on a world and provides a bonus favoring a certain production focus. It is by default determined by the most common type of Districts or Buildings constructed but can be chosen manually at any point. Capitals have their own unique designation which cannot be changed. If automation is turned on the world will build buildings favoring the designation's bonus unless the planet has low Amenities or high Crime or Deviancy, in which case it will first focus on tackling these issues. Each planetary ascension tier increases the effects of the planet designation by 25% and reduces size from the colony by 5%, which includes pops, districts and the colony itself. Ascension tiers are not lost if the designation is changed.

Planet designations

The following designations are available for all planets except Ecumenopolis. On ringworlds, every designation has +10% Pop growth and assembly speed.

Designation	Effects	Requirements	Description
Generator World	+25% Generator District build speed +25% Technicians output +10% Worker pop resource output if The Greater Good resolution 2 was passed	None	Nigh-endless complexes of generator plants hum and glow on this planet.
Mining World	+25% Mining District build speed +25% Miners and strategic resource gatherers output +10% Worker pop resource output if The Greater Good resolution 2 was passed	None	Strip mines, quarries, boreholes, and heavy machinery dominate this planet's surface.
Tech-World	+25% Research Lab build speed −20% Researcher upkeep	None	This world is a seat of scientific research and technological advancement.
Fortress World	+25% Stronghold build speed −10% Orbital bombardment damage +20% Defense army damage	None	Dominated by planetary defenses, bunkers and strongholds, foreign invasion and civil unrest will prove difficult on this world.
Refinery World	+25% Chemical Plant build speed +25% Synthetic Crystal Plant build speed +25% Exotic Gas Refinery build speed +10% Chemist output +10% Translucer output +10% Refiner output	None	Much of the planet surface is covered in a vast network of pipes, refineries, and distilleries. Try not to inhale too deeply.
Forge World	+25% Industrial District build speed −20% Metallurgist upkeep +5% Metallurgist output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed +1 Metallurgist job from Industrial Districts if empire uses consumer goods −1 Artisan job from Industrial Districts if empire uses consumer goods	None	The heat of alloy foundries can be felt almost everywhere on this planet.
Industrial World	+25% Industrial district build speed −10% Artisan upkeep −10% Metallurgist upkeep +5% Artisan output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed +5% Metallurgist output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed	Uses  consumer goods	Heavy industry with mixed production dominates this planet.
Factory World	+25% Industrial district build speed −20% Artisan upkeep  +1 Artisan job from industrial districts  −1 Metallurgist job from industrial districts +5% Artisan output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed	Uses  consumer goods	This planet specializes in manufactories, workshops, and civilian industries.
Agri-World	+25% Agriculture district build speed +25% Farmers output +10% Worker pop resource output if The Greater Good resolution 2 was passed	At least one biological species	Picturesque pastoral landscapes featuring flourishing crops are effaced only minutely by the ever-present scent of fertilizer.
Unification Center	+10% Administrator Output −10% Administrator Upkeep +1 Priest job per 25 pops if member of a level 4  Holy Covenant federation	Spiritualist  Rogue Servitor	An entire world dedicated to unifying our empire.
Ecclesiastical Center	+10% Priest Output −10% Priest Upkeep +1 Priest job per 25 pops if member of a level 4  Holy Covenant federation	Spiritualist	An entire world dedicated to unifying our empire.
Sanctuary World	+10% Bio-Trophies Output +10% Pop Growth Speed	Rogue Servitor	An world dedicated to the care and protection of organic life.
Urban World	+25% City district build speed −10% Building and district upkeep +20% Trade value	Gestalt Consciousness	A densely populated world where one glowing metropolis leads almost directly into the next.
Nest Planet	−10% Building and district upkeep +5% Complex drone output	Hive Mind	A teeming planet-wide network of bustling hives crisscross this world.
Machine Nexus	−10% Building and district upkeep +5% Complex drone output	Machine Intelligence	A mechanical network of thousands of unit service and repair facilities dominate this planet's surface.
Rural World	+25% Agriculture district build speed +25% Generator district build speed +25% Mining district build speed +10% Worker pop resource output	Gestalt Consciousness	The nature of this planet's production dispenses with the need for major urban centers.
Fringe Planet	+25% Agriculture district build speed +25% Generator district build speed +25% Mining district build speed +10% Menial drone pop resource output	Gestalt Consciousness	This planet is a sparsely populated world on the fringes of the collective.
Resort World	Cannot support districts Cannot support certain buildings Slave Processing Facility Psi Corps Clone Vats (Grand) Embassy Complex Hydroponics Farms Food Processing Facilities / Centers Mineral Purification Plant / Hub Energy Grid / Nexus Resource Silo Alloys buildings Consumer goods buildings Strategic resource refineries and mines Ministry of Production Research buildings Galactic Stock Exchange	Create Resort World Decision	A tranquil, weather-controlled resort world with beautiful nature that has not yet been scarred by large-scale development.
Penal Colony	+33% Immigration pull +100% Crime −25% Crime on other colonies	Create Penal Colony decision	A bleak penal colony, filled with criminals paying off their debt to society in labor camps.
Thrall-World	Can build Slave Huts and Overseer Residences buildings Cannot grow free pops Cannot support city districts Cannot support specialist buildings Allowed buildings are: Slave Processing Facility Clone Vats Gaia Seeders Hydroponics Farms Food Processing Facilities / Centers Mineral Purification Plants / Hubs Energy Grid / Nexus Bio-Reactor Slave Huts Overseer Residences Military Academy Stronghold Fortress Planetary Shield Generator Special feature buildings	Create Thrall-World decision	This world is purpose-built to maximize the growth rate of its enslaved population.
Crucible World	+10% Pop growth speed	Create Crucible World decision	A world dedicated to the growth of cyborg drones, ensuring the progeny will quickly become productive components of the collective.

Hive World designations

The following designations are only available for Hive Worlds.

Designation	Effects	Description
Hive World	+25% Agriculture district build speed +25% Generator district build speed +25% Mining district build speed +5% Menial drone output	A planet-sized organism that has not been specialized for any particular production type.
Hive World Foundry	+25% Industrial district build speed −20% Metallurgist upkeep +5% Metallurgist output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed	A planet-sized organism designated to produce vast amounts of alloys.

Machine World designations

The following designations are only available for Machine Worlds.

Designation	Effects	Requirements	Description
Machine World	+25% Generator district build speed +25% Mining district build speed +5% Menial drone output	None	A machine world that has not been specialized for any particular production type.
Machine World Foundry	+25% Industrial district build speed −20% Foundry drone upkeep +5% Foundry drone output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed	None	An enormous planet-sized machine, designated to produce vast amounts of alloys.
Machine World Factory	+25% Industrial district build speed −20% Artisan drone upkeep +5% Artisan drone output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed	Rogue Servitor	An enormous planet-sized machine, designated to produce vast amounts of consumer goods.

Ecumenopolis designations

The following designations are only available for Ecumenopolis planets.

Designation	Effects	Requirements	Description
Ecumenopolis	−25% Building and District Upkeep +20% Trade Value	None	This city planet has not been specialized in any particular industry.
Ecumenopolis Research	+25% Research Lab Build Speed −20% Researcher Upkeep	None	A vast city-planet that specializes in the latest cutting-edge research.
Ecumenopolis Foundry	+25% Foundry Build Speed +25% Foundry Arcology Build Speed −20% Metallurgist Upkeep +5% Metallurgist Output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed	None	A vast city-planet that specializes in the ceaseless production of alloys.
Ecumenopolis Industrial	+25% Industrial District Build Speed −10% Metallurgist Upkeep −10% Artisan Upkeep +5% Metallurgist Output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed +5% Artisan Output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed	Uses  consumer goods	A vast city-planet that splits its focus between that of alloys and consumer goods.
Ecumenopolis Factory	+25% Factory Build Speed +25% Industrial Arcology Build Speed −20% Artisan Upkeep +5% Artisan Output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed	Uses  consumer goods	A vast city-planet that specializes in the ceaseless production of consumer goods.

Ringworld designations

The following designations are only available for Ringworlds. Every ringworld designation also has +10% Pop growth and assembly speed.

Designation	Effects	Requirements	Description
Industrial World	Industrial Build speed 25% Artisan Upkeep -10% metalurgist Upkeep -10%
Forge World	Industrial Build speed 25% Metalurgist Upkeep -20%
Factory World	Industrial Build speed 25% Artisan Upkeep -20%
Ring World	+20% Immigration Pull +5% Resources from Jobs +15% Pop Growth Speed +5% Pop Assembly Speed	None	An immense ringworld, its massive area spread between all matters of produce.
Research Ring World	+15% Research from Jobs +10% Pop Growth Speed	None	An immense ringworld section is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge.
Agriculture Ring World	+10% Pop Growth Speed +25% Food from Jobs +10% Worker pop resource output if The Greater Good resolution 2 was passed	None	Endless fields are supported by the infrastructure of this ring world section to maximize growing potential.
Commercial Ring World	+20% Trade Value +10% Pop Growth Speed	Gestalt Consciousness	If you can't buy it here, it either doesn't exist or you didn't really want it anyway.
Unification Center	+10% bureaucrat output +10% bureaucrat value	Gestalt Consciousness	Linking generator segments together across this ring world section provides efficiencies of scale.

Habitat designations

The following designations are only available for Habitats.

Designation	Effects	Requirements	Description
Habitat	None	None	An artificial deep-space arcology.
Research Station	+25% Research District Build Speed +10% Researcher output	None	An artificial deep-space arcology dedicated to scientific research.
Hydroponics Station	+25% Hydroponics Farm Build Speed +1 Farmer Job from Habitation Districts −2 Housing from Habitation Districts	None	An artificial deep-space arcology dedicated to the growing of crops.
Fortress Station	+25% Stronghold Build Speed −10% Orbital Bombardment Damage +20% Defense Army Damage +1 Defense Army per Pop if Order's Keep +10% Lord Commander and Knight Output if Order's Keep	None	An artificial deep-space arcology dedicated to defensive structures.
Foundry Station	+25% Habitat Industrial District Build Speed −20% Metallurgist Upkeep +1 Metallurgist Job from Industrial Districts −1 Artisan Job from Industrial Districts +5% Metallurgist Output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed	None	An artificial deep-space arcology dedicated to alloy production.
Factory Station	+25% Habitat Industrial District Build Speed −20% Artisan Upkeep +1 Artisan Job from Industrial Districts −1 Metallurgist Job from Industrial Districts +5% Artisan Output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed	Uses  consumer goods	An artificial deep-space arcology dedicated to consumer good production.
Industrial Station	+25% Habitat Industrial District Build Speed −10% Artisan Upkeep −10% Metallurgist Upkeep +5% Artisan Output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed +5% Metallurgist Output if Industrial Development resolution 4 was passed	Uses  consumer goods	An artificial deep-space arcology dedicated to balanced alloy and consumer good production.
Refinery Station	+25% Chemical Plant build speed +25% Synthetic Crystal Plant build speed +25% Exotic Gas Refinery build speed +10% Chemist output +10% Translucer output +10% Refiner output	None	An artificial deep-space arcology dedicated to the production of strategic resources.
Unification Station	+10% Administrator Output −10% Administrator Upkeep +1 Priest job per 25 pops if member of a level 4  Holy Covenant federation	Spiritualist	An entire habitat dedicated to unifying our empire.
Ecclesiastical Station	+10% Priest Output −10% Priest Upkeep +1 Priest job per 25 pops if member of a level 4  Holy Covenant federation	Spiritualist	An entire habitat dedicated to unifying our empire.
Leisure Station	+25% Leisure District Build Speed +10% Happiness	Gestalt Consciousness unless  Rogue Servitor	An artificial deep-space arcology dedicated to the pursuit of leisure and culture.
Trade Station	+25% Trade District Build Speed +20% Trade Value	Gestalt Consciousness	An artificial deep-space arcology dedicated to trade.
Generator Station	+25% Reactor District Build Speed +10% Technicians output +10% Worker pop resource output if The Greater Good resolution 2 was passed	Can build Reactor Districts	An artificial deep-space arcology dedicated to the generation of energy.
Mining Station	+25% Astro-Mining Bay Build Speed +10% Miners and strategic resource gatherers output +10% Worker pop resource output if The Greater Good resolution 2 was passed	Can build Astro-Mining Bays	An artificial deep-space arcology dedicated to the harvesting of minerals.

Special designations

The following designations are available for all habitable celestial bodies but have special requirements. On ringworlds, capital and colony designations also have +10% Pop growth and assembly speed.

Designation	Effects	Requirements	Description
Empire Capital	+5% Stability +10 Amenities +10% Resources from Jobs +100% Governing Ethics Attraction +10% Automatic Resettlement Destination Chance	Capital world  Gestalt Consciousness	The capital planet of an interstellar empire is a vast complex of government buildings, bureaus and agency headquarters.
Hive Capital	+5 Stability +10 Amenities +10% Resources from Jobs −20 Deviancy +10% Automatic Resettlement Destination Chance	Capital world  Hive Mind	The capital planet of a Hive Mind is the primary seat of the Mind, from where the collective's thoughts and actions spring.
Machine Capital	+5 Stability +10 Amenities +15% Resources from Jobs −20 Deviancy +10% Automatic Resettlement Destination Chance	Capital world  Machine Intelligence	The capital planet of a Machine Intelligence is the primary focus of its central networked consciousness, from where all units and drones are tasked, controlled and administered.
Colony	+5 Stability +10 Amenities +10% Happiness +25% Automatic Resettlement Destination Chance	Less than 5 Pops  Gestalt Consciousness	A balanced settlement and a bold new frontier.
Colony	+5 Stability +10 Amenities +25% Automatic Resettlement Destination Chance	Less than 5 Pops  Machine Intelligence	A new colony of our empire, purposely designed for frictionless, everyday efficiency.
Fallen Empire Capital	+10% Stability	Capital world Fallen Empire	Though its empire may be in decline, the level of technological advancement on this world is astounding.
Fallen Empire Colony	+5% Stability	Fallen Empire	Though its empire may be in decline, the level of technological advancement on this world is astounding.
Primitive World	None	Pre-FTL civilization	A primitive planet that is home to a pre-FTL society.
Contingency World	None	Contingency	This planet has been taken over by the Contingency.
Infested World	None	Prethoryn Scourge	This planet has been infested by the Prethoryn Scourge.

Planetary ascension

Planets (including  habitats and  ringworlds) can be ascended using  unity, which increases the effects of the planet's designation and reduces  empire size from that planet (from the colony, districts, and pops).

Each planetary ascension tier increases the effects of the planet's designation by +25% of the base and reduces  empire size contribution from the colony, its districts, and its pops by −5% each. Secondary modifiers (such as bonuses to resource gathering designations from  the Greater Good line of resolutions) are not increased. The maximum planetary ascension tier depends on the number of unlocked  ascension perk slots, with the first tier being unlocked by the third ascension perk slot. Each additional ascension perk unlocked allows an additional planetary ascension tier. Once all eight ascension perk slots have been unlocked, an additional four planetary ascension tiers are unlocked for a maximum of 10, a possible total +250% designation effect increase and −50% reduction in empire size from that planet.

For example, a Generator World with 2 ascension tiers would give a +37.5% bonus to  technician output; i.e. the original +25% bonus, multiplied by a +50% increase.

The cost of increasing a planet's ascension tier depends on the empire's size and total number of planetary ascension tiers already present in the empire, whether on the same planet or other planets. For example, an empire with  200 size and 3 total ascension tiers (whether from three planets at tier 1, one at tier 3, or one at tier 2 and one at tier 1) would need to spend  5600 unity to increase the ascension tier of a planet. The precise formula is shown below:

${\begin{aligned}{\text{ascension unity cost}}&=&({\text{empire size}}\cdot 10)&\times (1+0.6\cdot {\text{total ascension tiers}})\\&=&(200\cdot 10)&\times (1+0.6\cdot 3)\\5600&=&2000&\times 2.8\end{aligned}}$

References

Game concepts