Common leader traits

Version

This article has been verified for the current PC version (3.8) of the game.

Leaders

Leaders

Common leader traits

Admiral traits

General traits

Governor traits

Scientist traits

Paragons

Traits represent the background, education or personality of a leader. Most traits can be upgraded. The way in which leaders gain or upgrade traits depends on whether the  Galactic Paragons DLC is enabled:

• If the DLC is enabled:
  • Leaders are able to select a trait to gain or upgrade every time they level up.
  • At level 4, they can choose a Veteran Class and, at level 8, they can choose a Destiny Trait.
  • Veteran traits are in the pool of possible traits, but only for the chosen Veteran Class.
• If the DLC is not enabled:
  • Leaders gain or upgrade a random trait every 2 levels.
  • Veteran trait pools are turned off, as the leaders do not use Veteran Classes.
  • A number traits are available only if the DLC is not enabled.

Councilor traits

Councilor traits typically affect the entire empire and are active only while the leader is a member of the council.

Common traits

There are 15 regular common traits. These leader traits are available for every leader class.

Trait	Councilor trait	Effects	I	II	III	Requirements	Opposite	Description
Adaptable		Leader Experience Gain	+10%	+20%			Stubborn	This leader is quick to adopt new methods and ideas that prove superior.
Adventurous Spirit		No effect if councilor Leader Upkeep Leader Experience Gain	−25%	−35% +10%	−50% +10%	Galactic Paragons DLC Veteran class		This leader has a yearning for adventure and an overt distaste for boardroom politics.
Capitalist		Monthly Energy Credits	+4	+8		After game start	Lavish Lifestyle	This leader craves material wealth and is good at acquiring it.
Champion of the People		Happiness if Rulers Political Power if	+3% +3%	+7.5% +6%		Gestalt Consciousness	Tyrannical	This leader appears to genuinely care about their subjects.
Eager		Leader Cost Leader Upkeep Leader Experience Gain	−50% −10%	−50% −15% +10%		In leader pool		This leader is particularly eager for an assignment.
Emotional Support Pet		Years Leader Lifespan Maximum Negative Traits	+10 −1			Galactic Paragons DLC In leader pool  Machine Intelligence		The warm cuddles of this adorable creature offer comfort from the horrors of space.
Entrepreneur		Monthly Consumer Goods	+3	+6		After game start  Gestalt Consciousness	Excessive	This leader has an enterprising mind, designing and producing impressive amounts of goods.
Gifted		Trait options on level-up Leader Experience Gain	+1 +5%	+1 +20%		Galactic Paragons DLC		This leader has a quick mind, grasping demanding concepts with ease.
Homesteader		Monthly Food	+4	+8		After game start The empire uses  Food		This leader has plots of land dedicated to the production of food.
Imperial Heir		Trait options on level-up Leader upkeep	+1 −100%			Imperial heir  Galactic Paragons DLC		The heir is next in line to rule the Empire.
Politician		Councilor Experience Gain Faction Approval if Monthly Unity if	+10% +2.5% +5%	+15% +5% +10%		Level 1 Councillor (if )		This leader has an affinity for politics, and is well-versed when it comes to fiery debates.
Private Mines		Monthly Minerals	+4	+8		After game start		This leader owns and maintains private sources of minerals.
Scrapper		Monthly Alloys	+3	+6		After game start		This leader possesses and operates private scavenging drones.
Resilient		Years Leader Lifespan if Leader Upkeep if	+10 −7.5%	+20 −15%			Substance Abuser	This leader is resilient and in excellent physical condition, increasing their life expectancy.
Venerated		Monthly Unity	+3	+6		Materialist leader		This leader is highly respected by others.

Species based traits

Certain species traits, such as from ascensions, can add a trait to leaders from that species.

Those traits typically have an effect which is common for all classes, as well as others effects depending on the class or if the leader is the ruler.

Trait	Effects					Requirements	Opposite
	Admiral	General	Scientist	Governor	Ruler
Brain Slug Host	+15% Councilor experience gain +1 Trait options on level-up  +5% Ship fire rate  +5% Evasion	+15% Councilor experience gain +1 Trait options on level-up  −15% Army upkeep	+15% Councilor experience gain +1 Trait options on level-up  +10% Survey speed  +10% Anomaly research speed	+15% Councilor experience gain +1 Trait options on level-up  +10% Planetary build speed	+15% Councilor experience gain +1 Trait options on level-up +10% Council agenda speed +15% Councilor experience gain	Neural Symbiosis Event (20% Chance)	Cyborg Synthetic
Erudite	+10% Ship fire rate  +10% Disengagement chance	+5% Army damage  +10% Disengagement chance	+1 Trait options on level-up  +2.5 Research per level	+5% Research from jobs	+1 Research alternatives	Erudite leader	Cyborg Synthetic Psychic
Cyborg	+10% weapons damage  +10% weapons range	+2 Combat Width	+33% Research Output from Assisting Research  +2.5 Research per level	−10% pop upkeep	−25% building and district upkeep  −5% empire size from districts	Cyborg leader	Psychic Chosen One
Synthetic	+10% Ship fire rate  +10% armor hardening	+5% Army damage  +10% army collateral damage	+15% Anomaly research speed  +2.5 Research per level	+5% worker job output	+1 pop assembly	Synthetic leader	Psychic Chosen One
Psychic	+10% weapons damage  +10% shield hardening	+15% Army morale  +15% Army morale damage	+25% Survey speed  +1 archaeology skill  +2.5 Physics Research per level  +3.334 Society Research per level  +2.5 Engineering Research per level	+10% Unity from jobs	+10% Governing Ethics Attraction  +0.5 Influence +10% Research Speed Psionics	Psionic Leader	Cyborg Synthetic
Chosen One	+20% weapons damage  +30% shield hardening	+30% Army morale  +30% Army morale damage  +20% Army damage	+50% Survey Speed  +2 archaeology skill  +10 Research per level	+20% Unity from jobs +10 Stability	+20% Governing Ethics Attraction  +1 Influence	Chosen One leader
Chosen of the Composer		+50% Army Health  +10% Army damage	+25% Survey Speed  +7.5 Research per level +2 Volatile Motes monthly +2 Rare Crystals monthly +2 Exotic Gases monthly	+5% Pop growth speed +5% Pop resource output	+50 Years Leader Lifespan +30% Leader Experience Gain +1 Leader cap	Psychic Chosen of the Composer leader	Cyborg Synthetic
Chosen of the Instrument	+40% Sublight speed −15% ship_windup_mult −25% ship_emergency_ftl_mult  +35% Disengagement chance		+7.5 Research per level +2 Zro monthly	+30% Slave pop resource output +5 Stability	+10% Happiness +15% Trade value	Psychic Chosen of the Instrument leader	Cyborg Synthetic
Chosen of the Eater	+40% weapons damage +10% Accuracy	+50% Army morale  +50% Army morale damage  +30% Army damage		−15% Ships Build Cost +25% Ships Build Speed	−10% ship upkeep +15% Ships Build Speed	Psychic Chosen of the Eater leader	Cyborg Synthetic
Chosen of the Whisperers	+3 Sensor Range  +40% Evasion	+20% Army damage  +30% Disengagement chance	+50% Anomaly Discovery Chance  +3 archaeology skill  +12.5 Research per level		−15% Operations Cost  +1 Influence +1 Encryption	Psychic Chosen of the Whisperers leader	Cyborg Synthetic

Negative Common Traits

The following negative leader traits are available for every leader class.

Trait	Councilor trait	Effects	I	II	Requirements	Opposite	Description
Fallible		Maximum Negative Traits	+1	+3	In leader pool		This leader is incapable of resisting temptation and can not stay out of trouble.
Substance Abuser		Years Leader Lifespan	−10	−30	Gestalt Consciousness	Resilient	This leader has fallen to substance abuse to cope with stress, which has had a detrimental effect on their physical health.
Stubborn		Trait options on level-up Leader Experience Gain	−1	−1 −20%		Adaptable	This leader is stubborn and slow to accept new methods and ideas, even if they have proven superior.
Melancholic		Leader Experience Gain Years Leader Lifespan if not immortal Leader Upkeep if immortal	−10% −10 +10%	−20% −20 +20%			This leader suffers extended bouts of sadness.
Lavish Lifestyle		Monthly Energy Credits	−10	−30		Capitalist	This leader has a weakness for beautiful, expensive things.
Excessive		Monthly Consumer Goods	−5	−15	Gestalt Consciousness	Entrepreneur	This leader indulges in hoarding goods for its personal use.
Arrested Development		Leader Experience Gain	−25%	−75%	In leader pool		The personal development and skills of this leader seem to have plateaued.
Reclusive		Diplomatic Weight	−5%	−15%	Xenophile leader	Master Diplomat	This leader does not like to be at the center of attention. Or to be the recipient of any attention at all, for that matter.
Embezzler		Monthly Energy Credits	−5%	−10%			This leader does not believe anyone would notice if small amounts of credits go missing.
Intolerant		Trust Cap	−10	−30	Xenophile leader	Xenolinguist	This leader views anyone different from them with suspicion and distrust.
Gullible		Encryption	−1	−2	Xenophobe leader		This leader believes almost anything they read from an official looking source.
Volatile		Monthly Unity	−5%	−10%	Pacifist Leader		This leader is infamous for their erratic temperament.
Passive		Council Agenda Speed	−10%	−20%			This leader has such a subdued personality, they are barely noticed.
Tyrannical		Happiness if Amenities if	−5% −5%	−10% −10%	Egalitarian leader		This leader is known for treating their subordinates in cruel and oppressive ways.
Bureaucratic		Empire Size from Pops	+5%	+15%	Authoritarian leader		This leader believes proper processes and duplicated paper trails are the marks of a well-run empire.

Common Destiny and Special Traits

There are 3 common destiny traits and one special trait: Intemporal.

	Trait	Effects	Scope	Councilor trait	Requirements	Description
	Perceptive Mentor	+1 Additional Leader Trait Options	Empire		Galactic Paragons DLC	Knowledge and experience are the foundation of every great society. This leader possesses these values and does everything to promote and encourage them in others.
	Master Bureaucrat	−10% Leader Upkeep −10% Empire Size Effect +75 Edicts Fund	Empire		Galactic Paragons DLC	Having toiled as a bureaucrat, this leader is a master of paperwork. With everything correctly filed, more time can be devoted to their subordinates.
	Health Specialist	+40 Years Leader Lifespan +40% Leader Experience Gain	Self		Galactic Paragons DLC	Some individuals are so obsessed with self-care they become masters of the art. Rigid discipline in sleep, food intake, and physical exercise have made this leader a true health guru.
	Intemporal	Immortal	Self		The Orb anomaly	This leader is unaffected by time and will not die from old age.

Starting ruler traits

The following traits can be picked at the start of the game for the ruler. They are also often present on leaders in the leader pool.

	Trait	I	II	Effects	Scope	Councilor trait	Requirements	Description	Opposite
	Principled	+2	+4	Stability	Empire		Governor  Under One Rule origin	This leader has a strict code and follows our empire's morals, setting a good example for others.	-
	Fleet Organizer	+5%	+15%	Naval Capacity	Empire		Admiral  Under One Rule origin	This leader is an expert at organization, having the necessary micromanagement skills to command very large starship formations.	Nervous
	Spycraft	+15% −15%	+25% −25%	Infiltration Speed Operation Cost	Empire		General  Under One Rule origin	Some generals prefer to use more subtle methods by employing spies and informants rather than brute strength.	-
	Spark of Genius	+3%	+6%	Research Speed Improved draw chance for rare technologies	Empire		Scientist  Under One Rule origin	This leader is prone to sudden bursts of inspiration.	Paranoid
	Mining Rush	+2.5%	+7.5%	Minerals from Jobs	Empire		Governor Scientist  Under One Rule origin	This leader has a firm focus on increasing mineral output.	-
	Warlike	+5% +5%	+7.5% +15%	Ship Weapons Damage Army Damage	Empire		Admiral General  Under One Rule origin	This leader does not shy away from conflict.	-
	Charismatic	−10% +15%	−15% +35%	Edicts Upkeep Edicts Fund	Empire		Under One Rule origin	This leader is exceptionally charismatic, enforcing their will with ease.	-
	Feedback Loop	+1 +1	+2 +3	Stability Amenities	Empire		Gestalt Consciousness  Under One Rule origin	Efficient feedback loops and action-reaction analysis make this unit far better at predicting outcomes.	Tyrannical
	Logistic Understanding	−5% −10%	−10% −15%	Ship Upkeep Army Upkeep	Empire		Under One Rule origin	This leader is well aware of the importance of properly-structured supply chains.	-
	Eye for Talent	+10%	+20%	Leader Experience Gain	Empire		Under One Rule origin	This leader is considered to be unusually perceptive, spotting talent where others only see eccentricity or incompetence.	-

Under One Rule traits

Under one Rule origin gives unique traits for the ruler leader at the start of the game. Each government ethic gives the options of 3 unique traits: two positive and one negative. Negative traits have -1 cost, so another positive trait can be picked for the ruler.

Paranoid Tyrant trait has a unique mechanic and can't be picked at the start of the game.

	Trait	I	II	III	Effects	Scope	Councilor trait	Requirements	Description	Opposite
	Commanding Presence	+1 +0.4 +5	+1 +0.6 +10	+1 +1 +15	Envoys Monthly Loyalty from Subjects Diplomatic acceptance chance	Empire		Under one Rule Authoritarian Empire Cost: +1	Through the sheer willpower of our leader, we are able to extend our empire's agenda across space, and force others to heed our command.	-
	High King	+3 +5% +10%	+5 +10% +20%	+8 +20% +30%	Stability Happiness of  Rulers Pop Resource output from  Rulers	Empire		Under one Rule Authoritarian Empire Cost: +1	By blood and merit, this leader earned the respect and loyalty of the other noble houses.	-
	Brutal	+30 −2.5%			Crime Pop Happiness from Enforcers and Telepaths	Empire		Under one Rule Authoritarian Empire Cost: −1	This leader's answer to any issue is brutal oppression, which alienates the local population.	Other Under One Rule negative traits
	Genome Artist	+1 −10% −5%	+1 −20% −15%	+1 −40% −30%	Gene Modification Points Modify Species Special Project Cost Pop Upkeep	Empire		Under one Rule Xenophobe Empire Cost: +1	This leader's flair for genetic manipulation is legendary.	-
	Ever Vigilant	+1 +1 +1	+1 +2 +2	+1 +2 +4	Available Envoys Codebreaking Encryption	Empire		Under one Rule Xenophobe Empire Cost: +1	This leader is extremely rigorous with security and encryption protocols, and personally oversees our intelligence department.	-
	Blunt	−25% −1			Diplomatic Weight Available Envoys	Empire		Under one Rule Xenophobe Empire Cost: −1	Callous and very direct, this leader regularly makes diplomatic blunders.	Other Under One Rule negative traits
	Inspired General	+10 +5% +75	+15 +10% +150	+20 +15% +300	Fleet command limit Naval capacity Ship starting experience	Empire		Under one Rule Militarist Empire Cost: +1	A brilliant military commander, loved by the troops.	-
	Unwavering Aggressor	+5% +5 +5	+10% +7 +7	+15% +10 +10	Ship fire rate Tracking Accuracy	Empire		Under one Rule Militarist Empire Cost: +1	An expert in starship weapons systems, this leader brings invaluable knowledge to fleet warfare.	-
	Warmonger	−10% −20			Citizen Pop Happiness Trade Protection	Empire		Under one Rule Militarist Empire Cost: −1	Provocative and adversarial, this leader enjoys conflict, be it social or martial.	Other Under One Rule negative traits
	Wise Mentor	+10% −10% +1	+15% −15% +1	+25% −25% +1	Leader experience gain Leader upkeep Leader capacity	Empire		Under one Rule Spiritualist Empire Cost: +1	This leader displays exceptional educational skills, and will help others to reach their full potential.	-
	Pious Ascetic	−10% −10% +0.5	−15% −15% +1	−20% −20% +2	Pop amenities usage Pop housing usage Society research from Priests	Empire		Under one Rule Spiritualist Empire Cost: +1	This leader is a model of self-discipline, and an inspiration to all.	-
	Absent-Minded	−10% +20%			Worker Pop Resource Output Researcher Upkeep	Empire		Under one Rule Spiritualist Empire Cost: −1	This leader is easily distracted and often forgets about less important tasks.	Other Under One Rule negative traits
	Gunboat Diplomat	+10% +0.25 −5%	+15% +0.5 −10%	+25% +1 −20%	Diplomatic weight from fleet power Influence from power projection Ship upkeep	Empire		Under one Rule Xenophile Empire Cost: +1	This leader favors displays of power. A well-placed threat is sometimes worth a thousand words.	-
	Brain Poacher	+10% +5%	+15% +7.5%	+20% +10%	Diplomatic weight from technology Research speed	Empire		Under one Rule Xenophile Empire Cost: +1	By offering the best, we can attract the brightest minds. This leader specializes in the recruitment of qualified personnel.	-
	Naive	−2 +15%			Encryption Pop Upkeep	Empire		Under one Rule Xenophile Empire Cost: −1	This leader is too trusting and forgiving. Others find it easy to abuse these qualities.	Other Under One Rule negative traits
	Autark	+5% +10% +10	+10% +15% +15	+20% +30% +30	Amenities Food output from jobs Trade protection	Empire		Under one Rule Pacifist Empire Cost: +1	This leader will strive to ensure the nation's self-sufficiency.	-
	Enlightened Ruler	+2.5 −5% +10%	+3.5 −10% +20%	+5 −20% +40%	Stability Upkeep from jobs Government ethics attraction	Empire		Under one Rule Pacifist Empire Cost: +1	Charismatic, caring and selfless, this leader seeks to improve quality of life for all.	-
	Fearful	+15% −10%			Ship Upkeep Naval Capacity	Empire		Under one Rule Pacifist Empire Cost: −1	Terrified of risks, this leader is overly cautious, and implements excessive checks and redundancies in their workflow.	Other Under One Rule negative traits
	Titan of Industry	+10% +5% +5%	+15% +10% +10%	+30% +15% +15%	Minerals from jobs Alloys from jobs Consumer goods from job	Empire		Under one Rule Materialist Empire Cost: +1	This leader sees a healthy economy as the foundation of any great nation.	-
	Great Inventor	+5% +0.5 +1	+10% +1 +2	+15% +2 +3	Pop assembly Speed Engineering research from Roboticists +3 Amenities from Roboticists	Empire		Under one Rule Materialist Empire Cost: +1	This leader is a pioneer in robotics and our lead researcher in workforce automation.	-
	Elitist	+30% +20%			Leader Upkeep Pop Amenities Usage	Empire		Under one Rule Materialist Empire Cost: −1	This leader abhors mediocrity, often dismissing talented people for even the slightest mistake.	Other Under One Rule negative traits
	Paranoid Tyrant	−1% −0.75% −1.5%			Unity from jobs per Delusion tier Happiness from Specialists per Delusion tier Happiness from Workers per Delusion tier	Empire		Under one Rule Delusional	This leader's paranoid delusions are driving Him\Her towards isolation.	Other Under One Rule negative traits
	Luminary Bloodline	+20 +50%			Years Leader Lifespan Leader Experience Gain	Self		Under one Rule Heir	The Heir to the Luminary. Living up to their predecessor's legacy will be a challenge, but this leader already shows great promise.

Luminary

The starting ruler of empires that have the  Under One Rule origin will have the Luminary trait. Some of its effects will grow when the following things happen:

• Forming a Federation
• Subjugating an empire
• Winning a war
• Situation events
• Becoming Custodian
• Becoming Galactic Emperor

Trait	Effects	Requirements	Description
Luminary	+40 Years Leader Lifespan +0.75 Stability per Luminary Growth Point +1.5% Unity from jobs per Luminary Growth Point	Luminary Extinguished situation	The Unification Wars were a brutal affair. In the end, [leader name] brought peace and purpose to us all. The Unifier is the living symbol of what our species can achieve, and an inspiration to all.
	−200% Leader Experience Gain +300 Years Leader Lifespan	Luminary Extinguished situation
	−10 Monthly Volatile Motes −10 Monthly Rare Crystals −10 Monthly Exotic Gases +800 Years Leader Lifespan	Sustaining Apparatus decision

References

Game concepts