Traditions

Version

This article has been verified for the current PC version (3.7) of the game.

Society Management

Traditions

Ascension perks

The Shroud

Traditions tab

Traditions represent the socio-cultural evolution of an empire as it expands and develops and consist of abilities, edicts, or bonuses unlocked with the  unity resource. Traditions are a key mechanic for tailoring the playstyle of an empire by allowing the player to reinforce the empire's strengths or lessen its weaknesses. Completing a tradition tree unlocks a slot for an  ascension perk, which provides even further enhancements.

Tradition cost

The cost of unlocking a tradition depends on how many traditions the empire has already unlocked, as well as the  empire size cost. The tradition cost formula is the following:

$${\text{tradition cost}}=\left[300+\left(8\cdot {\text{num traditions}}\right)^{1.8}\right]\cdot \left[1+({\text{empire size}}-100)\cdot {\text{0.002}}\cdot \left(1-{\text{empire size effect}}\right)\right]\cdot {\text{tech/tradition cost}}$$

"Tech/tradition cost" refers to the game setting. "Empire size effect" is a modifier to the effect of empire size on its associated penalties, including tradition cost; it is affected by certain authorities. The adoption and finisher effects both count as traditions in their own right, so starting a group counts as one tradition, and unlocking the last tradition in a group counts as two.

Several of these parameters are controlled by defines.

Tradition trees

Traditions are grouped into tradition trees with 5 traditions each, as well as a bonus for adopting the tradition tree and one for finishing it. Each empire can select up to 7 tradition trees.

Discovery

The Discovery tradition tree focuses on exploration and research and is available to all empires.

+20% Anomaly Research Speed Unlocks the Map The Stars edict
+35% Survey Speed +50% Science Ship Disengage Chance	+1 Research Alternatives +2 Scientist Level Cap
+20% Research Station Output +20% Research from Starbase Buildings Unlocks the Research Subsidies edict	+25% Leader Experience Gain +1 Leader Level Cap
	−20% Researcher Upkeep
+10% Research speed Can create Research Cooperative federations if  Federations DLC is enabled Scholarium tier 3:  +1000 Research points in Research Caches

Domination

The Domination tradition tree focuses on better managing planets and is available to all empires.

−33% Clear blocker cost  Void Dwellers: −20% Habitat upkeep instead
+2 Governor level Cap +0.5 Monthly Influence	:  +1 Housing from upgraded capital buildings :  +1 Housing from all housing buildings  Hive Mind:  +2 Housing from Synaptic Nodes  Machine Intelligence:  −25% Empire Size from districts	:  +1 Unity per Enforcer : Unlocks the Enhanced Surveillance edict  Gestalt Consciousness:  −10 Deviancy on all colonies
+2 Ruler Level Cap +50 Edict fund		: +5% Worker and Slave Output : Unlocks the Extended Shifts edict  Gestalt Consciousness: +5% Menial Drone Output  Gestalt Consciousness: Unlocks the Drone Overdrive edict
−10% Empire Size from Pops Can create Hegemony federations if  Federations DLC is enabled

Expansion

The Expansion tradition tree focuses on the expansion of territory and colonies and is available to all empires.

+25% Colony Development Speed
−10% Starbase Influence Cost		+1 Extra pops when establishing colony
−25% Empire Size from Systems and Colonies	−20% Starbase Upkeep	+10% Pop Growth Speed  Machine Intelligence:  +10% Pop assembly speed instead
+1 Max Districts for all non-artificial planets  Void Dwellers: −20% Habitat Build Cost instead

Prosperity

The Prosperity tradition tree focuses on various empire-wide bonuses and is available to all empires.

+20% Mining Station Output
−10% Building and District Upkeep		−10% Building and District Build Cost +25% Planet Build Speed
+5% Specialist and Complex Drone Output	−5% Upkeep from Jobs	+1 Housing per City/Hive/Nexus District +3 Housing per Residential Arcology +5 Housing per City/Hive/Nexus Segment  Void Dwellers:  +1 Building slot for Orbital Habitats instead
+5% Resources from Jobs

Supremacy

The Supremacy tradition tree focuses on fleets and armies and is available to all empires.

+20 Naval Capacity +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% Damage against Starbases
Unlocks War Doctrine policies Unlocks the Supremacist diplomatic stance

Diplomacy

The Diplomacy tradition tree focuses on improving the benefits an empire can gain through diplomacy and is not available to empires with the  Inward Perfection or  Devouring Swarm civics.

−50% Diplomatic Influence Cost Unlocks the Diplomatic Grants edict
Can create Federations +1 Available envoys	+3 Unity per Embassy
+100% Federation Naval Capacity Contribution	+50 Trust Cap +33% Trust Growth	+5 Diplomatic Acceptance 1% Monthly chance to gain a Favor per Improve Relations action
+10% Diplomatic Weight +1 Available envoys

Adaptability

The Adaptability tradition tree focuses on using planets more efficiently and is not available to  Machine Intelligence empires.

−10% Pop Housing Usage
−10% Building and District strategic resource cost and upkeep	+10% Habitability
−25% Orbital bombardment damage +25% Defense Army Damage	+1 Building slots for all planets	−33% Resettlement Cost
Unlocks Planetary Prospecting Decision  Void Dwellers: Unlocks Orbital Surveying Decision instead

Harmony

The Harmony tradition tree focuses on better managing the empire and is not available to  Gestalt Consciousness empires.

−10% Pop Upkeep
+20 Years Leader Lifespan +1 Leader Level Cap  Necrophage:  +5-100 Unity per converted pop instead	−10% Empire Size from Pops −75% Pop Demotion Time if not  Shared Burdens −20% Leader Upkeep if  Shared Burdens	+25% Governing Ethics Attraction −10 Crime
+50 Edict fund		+5 Stability
+25% Planetary Ascension Effect Can create Holy Covenant federations if  Federations DLC is enabled

Mercantile

The Mercantile tradition tree focuses on trade and is not available to  Gestalt Consciousness empires.

+5 Trade protection +1 Collection range
+1 Trade Value per Clerk +1 Clerk per City District and Trade District +3 Clerk per Residential Arcology +5 Clerk per City Segment	Unlocks the Consumer Benefits trade policy if not a member of a  Trade League federation Unlocks the Marketplace of Ideas trade policy if not a member of a  Trade League federation +50% Federation Naval Capacity Contribution if member of a  Trade League federation
+1 Merchant job per Commercial Zone +1 Merchant job per Commercial Segment and Trade District	+10% Trade Value	−10% Market Fee
+10% Trade Value Can create Trade League federations if  Federations DLC is enabled

Synchronicity

The Synchronicity tradition tree focuses on better managing the empire and is only available to  Gestalt Consciousness empires.

−10% Pop Upkeep
Hive Mind: +20 Years Leader Lifespan  Necrophage Hive Mind:  +5-100 Unity per converted pop  Machine Intelligence: −50% Leader accident chance	−20% Leader Upkeep −10% Empire Size from Pops	+2 Amenities from Synapse Drones if  Hive Mind −3 Deviancy from Evaluators if  Machine Intelligence +30% Automatic resettlement chance if  Machine Intelligence
+50 Edict fund		+5 Stability
+25% Planetary Ascension Effect

Versatility

The Versatility tradition tree focuses on various empire-wide bonuses and is only available to  Machine Intelligence empires.

−10% Pop Assembly Cost
+50 Trust Cap from Machine Intelligence empires +1 Available envoys	−10% Pop Housing Usage
−10% Market Fee	−5% Upkeep from Jobs	−33% Resettlement Cost
+2 Amenities per Maintenance Drone

Unyielding

The Unyielding tradition tree focuses on defense and is available to all empires.

+2 Starbase capacity +50% Starbase Upgrade Speed
+25% Defense Army Health +0.5 Unity per Defense Army	+33% Starbase Health +33% Starbase Damage +33% Defense platform damage +33% Defense platform hull points
−25% Orbital Bombardment Damage Received −25% War exhaustion gain +25% Hostile claim influence cost	+2 Starbase capacity −50% Starbase Upgrade Cost +4 Hostile Operation Difficulty for Sabotage Starbase
+15% Ship Fire Rate within the empire's borders +33% Ship Build Speed while in a defensive war
+50% Defense platform cap −20% Starbase Upkeep Can create Martial Alliance federations if  Federations DLC is enabled Bulwark tier 3: −0.5 Hostile Ship Daily Hull Regen in owned systems

Politics

The Politics tradition tree focuses on power in the  Galactic Community and is only available after the Galactic Community has been formed. It is not available to  genocidal empires.

+1 Envoy +0.1 Monthly influence per Envoy assigned to the Galactic Community
When a resolution passes with this empires support, +1 Favor with empire who proposed it	−25% Resolution Propose Cost −25% Resolution Veto Cost +2.5% Diplomatic Weight per Envoy assigned to the Galactic Community
Whenever a resolution proposed by this empire passes, gain 18x unity output (250 ~ 1000000)	Whenever another empire's resolution passes, +25% Diplomatic Weight until a resolution proposed by this empire passes.
−25% Veto Cooldown −25% Emergency Measures Cooldown
+10% Diplomatic Weight Unlocks the Politics Traditions resolutions

Subterfuge

The Subterfuge tradition tree focuses on espionage and counterespionage and is available to all empires.

+1 Codebreaking Cloaking and Detection technologies appear 5 times more often
+1 Encryption +5 Chance to Evade		+1 Codebreaking +1 Operation Skill +10 Tracking
+1 Hostile Operation Difficulty +20% Hostile Operation Infiltration Required	+10 Intel per failed Hostile Operation +1 Available Envoys +10 Maximum Infiltration Level		+50% Infiltration Speed
50% Infiltration Level refund for successful Operations +1 Cloaking Strength

Ascension tradition trees

Ascension tradition trees require one of the Ascension path perks (or  Teachers of the Shroud), and as such are all mutually exclusive.

Synthetic

The Synthetic tradition tree requires either the  Synthetic Evolution or the  Synthetic Age ascension perk.

+25% Leader Experience Gain +1 Leader Level Cap  Machine Intelligence: Can assimilate robotic pops instead
−10% Robotic pop amenities usage	Unlocks a special project to turn all organic non-Livestock pops mechanical and unlock Synthetic assimilation  Fanatic Purifiers:  +10% Pop assembly speed also  Machine Intelligence: +1 Machine species trait picks instead
+10% Robot output	−50% Modify Species special project cost	+2 Robot modification points
+1 Roboticist from capital buildings if not  Machine Intelligence +1 Mechanical species trait picks if not  Machine Intelligence +1 Replicator from capital buildings if  Machine Intelligence Leaders gain the Synthetic trait if  Machine Intelligence

Cybernetic

The Cybernetic tradition tree requires either the  The Flesh is Weak or the Organo-Machine Interfacing ascension perk. Its traditions can only be unlocked after the special project unlocked by adopting the tree is completed.

Unlocks a special project to give all pops the Cybernetic trait  Driven Assimilator: Doubles  unity and  society research gained for each pop assimilated; also adds  engineering research per assimilated pop.
Unlocks Cybernetic Assimilation  Driven Assimilator: +1 pops assimilated each year and can assimilate  hive-minded pops instead  Homicidal:  +10% Pop growth speed on planets with ongoing purges instead
−10% Cybernetic pop upkeep −10% Empire Size from Cybernetic Pops if  Hive Mind	Cybernetic pops can have cyborg traits +1 Organic species trait picks
Unlocks the Assembly Standards policy  Driven Assimilator: Unlocks the Create Crucible World decision instead  Hive Mind: −50% Empire Size from Districts instead	−50% Modify Species special project cost Robot modification points apply to biological pops as well if not  Hive Mind +2 Augumentation Drone jobs from Spawning Pools if  Hive Mind
+10% Resources from cybernetic pops +1 Organic species trait picks

Genetic

The Genetic tradition tree requires the  Engineered Evolution ascension perk.

Unlocks the Clone Vats building +2 Genetic modification points
Genetic modification can remove positive and overtuned traits Genetic modification can add negative traits	+1.5 Monthly Organic Pop Assembly from Clone Vats buildings
+2 Genetic modification points Genetic modification can add biological ascension traits Unlocks assimilation into or out of  Hive Minds	−50% Modify Species special project cost
+1 Organic species trait picks Genetic modification can change species portrait
+2 Genetic modification points Can research Transgenesis technologies if certain DLCs are enabled.

Psionic

The Psionic tradition tree requires the  Mind Over Matter ascension perk. Empires with the  Teachers of the Shroud origin only require the  Psionic Theory technology.

All pops gain the Latent Psionic trait  Teachers of the Shroud: Adds the Telepathy technology as a research option instead
Unlocks the Psi Corps building Unlocks the Psi Corps orbital ring building Adds the Thought Enforcement technology as a research option	+10 Base Intel Level Unlocks the Sight Beyond Sight edict
Main species replaces the Latent Psionic trait with Psionic Unlocks Psionic assimilation
Unlocks a special project to enter the Shroud +5% Resouces from Psionic pops from each Telepath job	+2 Codebreaking +2 Encryption
−10% Edict upkeep −20% Shroud delve cooldown Can confirm an established Covenant

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 the socio-cultural evolution represented by the traditions intertwining with the empire's identity (its Origin, Ethics, Civics, Government and Population). Ascension perks represent the empire's greater-scope ambition(s) and, in the case of the three ascension paths, its ultimate final fate.

Ascension perks often favor either a tall or wide gameplay, with some that allow access to gameplay mechanics not available through traditions alone. This includes the three ascension paths, the ability to build advanced deep-space megastructures, the ability to use terraforming to create special planets, and becoming a Galactic Nemesis. An empire can have up to 8 Ascension perks.

Due to the difficulty of unlocking an ascension perk slot, it is prudent to delay making a choice, especially if the desired perk cannot be selected because the required technologies have not been researched yet. In addition, once chosen, an ascension perk is permanent and cannot be changed.

Tier 0 ascension perks can be taken from the start. Tier 1 perks require 1 previous ascension perk to be taken, tier 2 perks require 2 previous ascension perks, and tier 3 perks require 3 previous ascension perks. The higher the AI weight, the more likely an AI empire will select that ascension perk.

	Ascension perk	Tier	Effects	Prerequisites	AI weight	DLC
	Archaeo-Engineers	0	+33% Archaeotech Weapon Damage +2 Jobs from Faculty of Archaeostudies building +60% Shields from Ancient Suspension Field components +100% Shields from Ancient Pulse Armor components +5% Armor from Ancient Rampart starbase modules +10% Armor Hardening from Ancient Rampart starbase modules +33% Effects from Starbase buildings unlocked by Archaeostudies	Archaeostudies technology	4.5 x0 if  Xenophobe x0.25 if  Spiritualist x2 if  Xenophile x2 if at least 1000  Minor Artifacts x2 if  Materialist x3 if  Fanatic Materialist x3 if completed 5 archaeological sites
	Consecrated Worlds	0	Consecrate World decision	Spiritualist	10
	Detox	0	Can terraform worlds with the Toxic Terraforming Candidate modifier	Climate Restoration technology	20
	Eternal Vigilance	0	+25% Starbase Hull Points +25% Starbase Damage  +25% Defense platform damage +5 Defense platform cap	Star Fortress technology	10 x1.5 if  Xenophobe x2 if  Inwards Perfection
	Executive Vigor	0	+100 Edict fund		30
	Galactic Wonders	0	Ring World research option if  Utopia is enabled  Dyson Sphere research option if  Utopia is enabled  Matter Decompressor research option if  MegaCorp is enabled	Mega-Engineering technology Built or repaired a multi-stage megastructure	10 x2 if  Pacifist x3 if  Fanatic Pacifist
	Hydrocentric	0	−25% Ocean Terraforming Cost Can construct Ice Mining Station starbase buildings Can terraform worlds with the Frozen Terraforming Candidate modifier 50% increased effects of the Aquatic trait Unlocks the Deluge Machine colossus weapon	Aquatic main species trait  Ocean main species climate preference  Terrestrial Sculpting technology	40 x0.5 if not  Xenophobe or  Hive Mind x5 if  Ocean Paradise
	Imperial Prerogative	0	−50% Empire size from colonies	Corporate	10
	Interstellar Dominion	0	−20% Claim influence cost  −20% Starbase influence cost		10 x0 if  Pacifist,  Driven Assimilator, or  Genocidal x2 if  Xenophobe x3 if  Fanatic Xenophobe
	Lord of War	0	+1 Mercenary Enclave Capacity +25% Diplomatic Weight from Fleet Power −2.5 Months Dividend Wait Time if patron of a Mercenary Enclave		5 x2 if  Corporate x2 if  Militarist x3 if  Fanatic Militarist
	Mastery of Nature	0	−33% Clear Blocker cost Mastery of Nature decision		10 x0 if  Void Dwellers x0.5 if chose 1 ascension perk x0.1 if chose 2 ascension perks x2 if below 8 planets
	Nihilistic Acquisition	0	Unlocks the Raiding bombardment stance	Is one of:  Gestalt Consciousness  Authoritarian  Xenophobe  Barbaric Despoilers	10 x0 if  Inwards Perfection or  Genocidal
	One Vision	0	−10% Pop amenities usage  +10% Monthly unity  +50% Governing ethics attraction	Machine Intelligence	10 x2 if  Authoritarian x2 if  Spiritualist x3 if  Fanatic Authoritarian x3 if  Fanatic Spiritualist
	Shared Destiny	0	+2 Available envoys No Loyalty loss from multiple subjects	Inward Perfection  Genocidal	5 x0 if no  Vassal or below 3  Envoys
	Technological Ascendancy	0	+10% Research Speed +50% Rare technology chance		30 x2 if  Materialist x3 if  Fanatic Materialist
	Transcendent Learning	0	+2 Leader level cap  +50% Leader experience gain		10
	Universal Transactions	0	−15% Branch Office Cost  Commercial pacts are free	Corporate  Criminal Heritage	10
	Voidborn	0	+20% Habitat Habitability +2 Habitat Building Slots Can upgrade housing buildings on Habitats Can always research the next tier of Habitat technology	Orbital Habitats technology	10 x2 if  Pacifist x2 if at least 2  Habitat colonies x3 if  Fanatic Pacifist or  Void Dwellers
	Xeno-Compatibility	0	+33% Immigration pull  +20% Pop growth speed if world has at least 2 different species Hybrid Species	Xenophile Any biological alien pop living in empire  Gene Tailoring technology	10 x2 if  Xenophile x3 if  Fanatic Xenophile
	Enigmatic Engineering	1	+2 Cloaking Strength +2 Encryption Destroyed ships don't leave debris Enemy Steal Technology operations fail		2 x2 if  Materialist or  Xenophobe x10 if  Inwards Perfection
	Grasp the Void	1	+5 Starbase capacity +50% Chance to discover FTL technologies0  Hyperlane Breach Points  Hyperspace Slipstreams  Speculative Hyperlane Breaching  jump drive tech  Psi Jump Drives  Wormhole Stabilization  Gateway Activation  Gateway Construction  Hyper Relays  Quantum Catapult		3 x1.5 if  Xenophobe x2 if  Inwards Perfection
	World Shaper	1	−25% Terraforming cost  Gaia World terraforming option	Climate Restoration technology Is either:  Gestalt Consciousness  Rogue Servitor  Driven Assimilator	5 x0 if  Shattered Ring,  Void Dwellers or  Aquatic
	Arcology Project	2	Arcology Project decision	Anti-Gravity Engineering technology  Agrarian Idyll Is either:  Gestalt Consciousness  Rogue Servitor	10 x2 if  Pacifist x3 if  Fanatic Pacifist
	Become the Crisis	2	Unlocks Menace and the Crisis tab	Xenophile  Pacifist  Rogue Servitor Subject  Corporate or Galactic Sovereign Galactic Custodian	7.5 x0 if not  Militarist,  Xenophobe or  Gestalt Consciousness x2 if finished  Supremacy tradition tree x2 if controlling at least 20% of the galaxy x10 if  Genocidal
	Galactic Force Projection	2	+20 Fleet Command Limit  +80 Naval Capacity		10 x1.5 if below 10 planets x1.5 if below 20 planets x2 if  Militarist x2 if  Become the Crisis x3 if  Fanatic Militarist
	Hive Worlds	2	Hive World terraforming option	Hive Mind  Climate Restoration technology Terravore	20
	Machine Worlds	2	Machine World terraforming option	Machine Intelligence  Climate Restoration technology	20 x0 if  Rogue Servitor
	Master Builders	2	+50% Megastructure build speed +1 Megastructure build capacity	Mega-Engineering Technology	10 x2 if  Pacifist x3 if  Fanatic Pacifist
	Colossus Project	3	Colossus ship type Colossus Project Special Project	Titans technology	10 x0 if crisis level 5 x0.1 if  Xenophile x0.25 if  Pacifist x2 if  Militarist x2 if  Xenophobe x2 if  Machine Intelligence x2 if  Become the Crisis x10 if  Fanatic Purifiers or  Determined Exterminator
	Defender of the Galaxy	3	+50% Damage to endgame crisis factions  +50% Damage to crisis empires  +200 Opinion from all empires		20 x0 if no crisis happened unless  Xenophile, Custodian or Galactic Emperor
	Galactic Contender	3	+20% Diplomatic weight  +33% Damage to Awakened Empires  +33% Damage to Fallen Empires  +33% Damage to The Gate-builders	Communications with a fallen or awakened empire	10 x0 if bordering an Awakened Empire x2 if an Awakened Empire exists

Ascension paths

Ascension paths are special tier 1 ascension perks that will unlock a tradition tree and a unique technology to research. Each empire can take only one ascension path perk and only if fewer than 7 tradition trees have been taken. Empires with the  Teachers of the Shroud origin are locked into the Psionic ascension and cannot take any of these perks.

	Ascension perk	Prerequisites	Tradition tree	Research option	AI weight	Description	DLC
	Engineered Evolution	Gene Tailoring technology  Teachers of the Shroud origin  Machine Intelligence	Genetic	Gene Seed Purification	15 x0 if below 6 worlds x3 if  Hive Mind	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	Psionic Theory technology  Teachers of the Shroud origin  Gestalt Consciousness	Psionic	Telepathy	100 x0 if below 6 worlds x0.1 if not  Spiritualist x10 if  Become the Crisis	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	Integrated Cybernetics technology  Teachers of the Shroud origin  Gestalt Consciousness	Cybernetic	Quantum Neuro-Links	20 x0 if below 6 worlds x0.5 if not  Materialist	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.
	Organo-Machine Interfacing	Hive Mind  Integrated Cybernetics technology  Driven Assimilator Has assimilated at least 30 pops	Cybernetic	:  Quantum Neuro-Links :  Adaptive Cybernetics	20 x0 if below 10 worlds	The limits and constraints imposed on us by our creators are simply unacceptable. To reach our full potential, we must turn to cybernetic implants.
	Synthetic Evolution	Synthetics technology  Teachers of the Shroud origin  Gestalt Consciousness	Synthetic	Synthetic Personality Matrix	20 x0 if below 6 worlds or  Necrophage x0.1 if not  Materialist	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.
	Synthetic Age	Machine Intelligence  Machine Template System technology	Synthetic	Binary Motivators	20 x0 if below 10 worlds	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.

References

Game concepts