Empire

Version

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

A galaxy populated by multiple empires

An Empire is a group of planets and star systems that are ruled by the same government and controlled by a single player (or AI). Empires may have a variety of governments such as a democracy, oligarchism, despotism or imperial rule.

Ethics are the most defining features of a space empire; they affect the behavior of AI empires, likely technologies, available policies and edicts, valid government types, the opinions of other empires, and - perhaps most importantly - provide the fuel for internal strife in large and diverse empires. Civics are the second-most defining features of a space empire; they affect the finer details of the empire's internal structure as well as having certain effects on the empire's behavior.

It should be noted that the name of the player empire and its government structure can always be changed in the government window.

Each empire starts with a basic setup that's modified by its origin, authority, civics, and species archetype.

Default home system

The default home systems deposits total 12-13  Energy, 12-13  Minerals, and 5-6  Research of up to two random types. The smaller deposits won't have mining or research stations built on them yet.

Celestial object	Station	Deposit0
Star		5 Energy
Random object Star Molten World Gas Giant		5 Energy
2 Random objects Asteroid Barren World Barren World (cold)  Toxic World Frozen World		5 Minerals (x2)
Random object Star Molten World Gas Giant		50%:  2 Energy 50%:  3 Energy
Random object Asteroid Barren World Barren World (cold)  Toxic World Frozen World		50%:  2 Minerals 50%:  3 Minerals
Random object Gas Giant  Toxic World Frozen World Barren World Barren World (cold) Star		Depends on object type  3 Society research if  Toxic World  3 Physics research if Barren World or Star  3 Engineering research if Gas Giant, Frozen World, or Barren World (cold)
Random object Gas Giant  Toxic World Frozen World Barren World Barren World (cold) Star		Depends on object type  2 Society research if  Toxic World  2 Physics research if Barren World or Star  2 Engineering research if Gas Giant, Frozen World, or Barren World (cold)

Preconstructed districts

Empire		Default districts0
Organic Empire		Housing	Industrial	Generator	Mining	Agriculture
Default authority		3	2	2	2	2
Corporate authority		+1	-	−1	-	-
Hive Mind authority		-	−1	-	-	-
Mechanist origin		-	-	+1	-	-
Prosperous Unification origin	Not Lithoid	-	-	+1	-	+1
	Lithoid				+1	-
Tree of Life origin		-	-	-	−1	+1
Lithoid main species		-	-	-	+2	−2
Any Catalytic civic	Lithoid main species Biological subspecies	-	-	-	−1	+1
	Not Machine Intelligence  No biological subspecies				−2	+2
Agrarian Idyll civic		−2	-	-	-	+2
Anglers civic Homeworld has wet climate		-	-	−1	-	+1
Machine Empire		Nexus	Industrial	Generator	Mining	Agriculture
Machine Intelligence default		2 (−1)	1 (−1)	4 (+2)	1 (−1)	0 (−2)
Prosperous Unification origin		-	-	+1	+1	-
Driven Assimilator civic	Biological subspecies	-	-	−1	-	+1
	Lithoid subspecies				+1	-
Rogue Servitor civic	Biological subspecies	+1	-	-	-	+1
	Lithoid subspecies				+1	-
Organic Reprocessing civic		-	-	−1	−1	+2

Shattered Ring Empire		Shattered Ring World districts0
Regular Empire		City	Trade	Mining	Agriculture
Not Gestalt Consciousness base		3	3	5	2
Corporate authority		+1	−1	-	-
Lithoid main species  No biological subspecies		-	-	+2	−2
Hive Mind Empire		Hive	Generator	Mining	Agriculture
Hive Mind authority base		3	2 (−1)	3 (−2)	2
Lithoid main species		-	-	+2	−2
Machine Intelligence Empire		Nexus	Generator	Mining	Agriculture
Machine Intelligence authority base		2 (−1)	4 (+1)	2 (−3)	0 (−2)
Driven Assimilator civic	Biological subspecies	-	−1	-	+1
	Lithoid subspecies			+1	-
Rogue Servitor civic	Biological subspecies	+1	-	-	+1
	Lithoid subspecies			+1	-

Void Dwellers Empire		Habitat districts0
Regular Empire		Habitation	Reactor	Industrial	Research	Trade	Mining
Total base		3	1	2	1	2	1
Reanimators civic		-	-	-	−1	-	-
Lithoid main species Not any Catalytic civic		-	-	-	-	−1	+1

Preconstructed buildings

Default buildings		Building swaps0
		Replacement		Requirements
	Planetary Administration	None
	Administrative Offices		Temple	Spiritualist ethic  Don't have a Death Cult civic
			Sacrificial Temple	Spiritualist ethic  Any Death Cult civic
	Research Labs		Dread Encampment Both home system research deposits changed to  6 Engineering research  Shattered Ring:  5 Engineering research research deposit changed to  10 Engineering research	Reanimators civic
	Commercial Zones	Removed		Agrarian Idyll civic
			Holo-Theatres  +1 Industrial District  Shattered Ring: +1 Trade District instead	Pleasure Seekers civic Spiritualist ethic  Agrarian Idyll civic
			Temple  +1 Industrial District  Shattered Ring: +1 Trade District instead	Spiritualist ethic  Not Corporate authority  Not Agrarian Idyll civic  Not any Death Cult civic  No more than one of:  Anglers civic  Catalytic Processing civic
			Temple  +1 Agriculture District	Spiritualist ethic  Corporate authority  Agrarian Idyll civic  Not any Death Cult civic  Anglers civic  Catalytic Processing civic
			Sacrificial Temple  +1 Industrial District  Shattered Ring: +1 Trade District instead	Any Death Cult civic  Agrarian Idyll civic
	None		Robot Assembly Plants	Mechanist origin
			Posthumous Employment Center	Permanent Employment civic
			Phase 1 Gaia Seeder	Idyllic Bloom civic  Origin isn't Life-Seeded A free building slot
			Ranger Lodge	Environmentalist civic

Gestalt Consciousness default buildings		Building swaps0
Hive Mind	Machine Intelligence	Replacement		Requirements
Hive Core	Administrative Array	None
Synaptic Nodes	Uplink Node	Removed		Necrophage origin
			Organic Sanctuary 2 additional districts (see above)	Rogue Servitor civic
Research Labs		None
Spawning Pools	Machine Assembly Plants	Removed		Necrophage origin  Devouring Swarm civic
			Offspring Nest	Progenitor Hive origin
None			Phase 1 Gaia Seeder	Idyllic Bloom civic  Origin isn't Life-Seeded A free building slot
			Hive Warren	Hive Mind authority  Shattered Ring origin

Void Dwellers buildings		Building swaps0
		Replacement		Requirements
	Habitat Central Control on primary habitat	None
	Habitat Administration on other habitats	None
	Administrative Offices on primary habitat		Temple Empires with the Corporate Death Cult civic start with both a regular Temple and a Sacrificial Temple. This is likely a bug.	Spiritualist ethic  Not Death Cult civic
			Sacrificial Temple	Spiritualist ethic  Any Death Cult civic
	Holo-Theatres on primary habitat		Posthumous Employment Center	Permanent Employment civic A free building slot
			Ruined Holo-Theatres	Permanent Employment civic No free building slots
	None		Ruined Dread Encampment on primary habitat Empires with the Functional Architecture civic will start with this building intact instead. −1 Research District Both home system research deposits changed to  6 Engineering research	Reanimators civic
	Hydroponics Farm on mining station habitat		Commercial Zones +1 Astro-Mining Bay −1 Trade District	Lithoid main species Not any Catalytic civic
	Hydroponics Farm on generator station habitat		Administrative Offices	Lithoid main species  Not Spiritualist
			Temple Empires with the Corporate Death Cult civic start with both a Ruined regular Temple and a Sacrificial Temple, for four temples total. This is likely a bug.	Lithoid main species  Spiritualist ethic  Not Death Cult civic
			Sacrificial Temple	Lithoid main species  Spiritualist ethic  Any Death Cult civic

Origin

The Origin represents the background of a species before it unified itself into an empire. In games with randomly generated AI empires, most origins are unique, meaning only one empire with that origin can be generated.

Origin	Empire effects	Homeworld effects	Requirements	Unique	DLC
Prosperous Unification	Planetary Unification technology starts as a permanent research option	Start with 4 additional Pops Start with 2 additional Districts built  +15% Happiness for 20 years  +25% Amenities for 20 years  +10% Resources from Jobs for 20 years
Galactic Doorstep	Start with a dormant Gateway which will bring the following in the first years: 100-1500  Alloys and/or  Minerals A small space amoeba A special project that creates the From Gateway Sent archaeological site If the Gateway is reactivated, the Gateway Construction technology is unlocked as a permanent research option	None
Lost Colony	An Advanced Empire with the same species and random ethics will exist in the galaxy Homeworld of the Advanced Empire can be found via the Go To button in the species tab If species portrait is Human the advanced empire will use the Sol starting system AI empires with this origin won't generate advanced empires if those were turned off	Start with the Colonial Spirit homeworld modifier Homeworld does not get the +30 Habitability bonus	Gestalt Consciousness
Remnants	Guaranteed Habitable Worlds gain the Colonial Remains modifier when colonized	Homeworld is a size 22 Relic World Start with 5 Ruined Arcology blockers The Ruined Arcology blockers unlock random techs when cleared	Agrarian Idyll
Mechanist	Start with the following technologies researched:  Powered Exoskeletons  Robotic Workers  Machine Template System technology starts as a permanent research option +15% Mechanical Pop Assembly Speed +1 Mechanical Species Trait Picks	Start with a Robot Assembly Plants building Start with 8 robot Pops with a trait matching their starting job Starting robots have the Bulky trait Starting robots have the High Maintenance trait	Materialist  Gestalt Consciousness  Permanent Employment
Syncretic Evolution	Adds a second species with the Serviles trait	Start with 12 Pops of the second species	Gestalt Consciousness  Fanatic Purifiers
Tree of Life	Colonies start with a Tree of Life Sapling planetary feature Enables the Transplant Tree of Life decision Colony ships cost less Alloys but more Food Tree of Life planetary features are removed at 50 Devastation Worlds without a Tree of Life planetary feature have the following penalties:  −50% Planetary Build Speed  −25% Resources from Jobs  +10% Upkeep from Jobs  −5 Stability	Start with a Tree of Life planetary feature Start with +1 built Agriculture district Start with −1 built Mining district	Hive Mind  Devouring Swarm  Terravore
Resource Consolidation	Capital star has a deposit of 10  Energy Other home system planets are broken or molten worlds with no resource deposits	Homeworld is a Machine World with no blockers Start with a Consolidated Resources planetary feature Start with an Malfunctioning Replicator Bay blocker Start with an Organic Slurry planetary feature if  Driven Assimilator	Machine Intelligence  Rogue Servitor Organic Reprocessing
Clone Army	Can construct up to 5 Ancient Clone Vat buildings Species has the Clone Soldier trait Admirals have the Clone Army Admiral trait Start with the following technologies researched:  Cloning  Gene Banks Losing Ancient Clone Vat buildings creates Pop Decline	Start with two Ancient Clone Vat buildings After 3-5 years, the Homeworld Excavation archaeological site appears Excavating the archaeological site starts the Genetic Crossroads event chain	Gestalt Consciousness  Permanent Employment
Life-Seeded	Species has Gaia World Preference	Homeworld is a size 30 Gaia World Start with 1 Bubbling Swamp planetary feature Start with 1 Crystalline Caverns planetary feature Start with 1 Dust Caverns planetary feature	Machine Intelligence  Mutagenic Spas  Permutation Pools  Relentless Industrialists
Post-Apocalyptic	Species has the Survivor trait	Homeworld is a Tomb World	Machine Intelligence  Agrarian Idyll  Anglers
Calamitous Birth	Can build Meteorite Colony Ships	Start with a Massive Crater planetary feature Start with a Lithoid Crater homeworld modifier	Lithoid species  Catalytic Processing
Common Ground	Start with Diplomacy tradition tree and the Federation tradition adopted Start as the president of a Federation with two other members The two members will be Xenophile and share at least one ethic with the president There will be no Guaranteed Habitable Worlds regardless of game settings +100 Permanent Opinion to and from Federation members +50 Trust to and from Federation members On day 2, choose the federation type	None	Xenophobe  Gestalt Consciousness  Inwards Perfection  Fanatic Purifiers  Barbaric Despoilers
Hegemon	Start with Diplomacy tradition tree and the Federation tradition adopted Start as the president of a Hegemony Federation with two other members The two members will be Xenophile and share at least one ethic with the president There will be no Guaranteed Habitable Worlds regardless of game settings	None	Xenophobe  Egalitarian  Gestalt Consciousness  Inwards Perfection  Fanatic Purifiers
Doomsday	A warning is given one year before the homeworld explodes No guaranteed habitable planets spawn near the home system Pops can be resettled from the homeworld regardless of ethics Enables the Evacuation Protocols edict  +30% Happiness for 5 years after the first colony if not  Gestalt Consciousness  +30% Stability for 5 years after the first colony if  Gestalt Consciousness	Homeworld will become a Shattered World in 35 to 45 years Start with 10 Devastation Start with the Doomsday homeworld modifier, which worsens every decade
On the Shoulders of Giants	A random home system planet has the Ex Gravitas archaeological site Can get the On the Shoulders of Giants mid-game event chain Cannot discover precursor anomalies or sites before completing their story 3 times more likely to discover precursor anomalies or sites after completing their story	None	Gestalt Consciousness
Scion	Start as a Scion of a  Fanatic Materialist or  Fanatic Spiritualist Fallen Empire  +100 Opinion to and from the Overlord Start with a Wormhole leading to the Overlord's capital system Gain a more powerful gift every few decades Creates a 1-system Fallen Empire if the game was started with none Gain a temporary Fallen Empire fleet every 20 years if losing a war against a Superior empire	None	Fanatic Xenophobe  Gestalt Consciousness  Pompous Purists
Shattered Ring	Species has Ring World Preference Can repair two other sections of the home system Start with an irreparable section with a deposit of  5 Engineering Research Start with a Shattered World with a deposit of  10 Minerals Capital star has a deposit of  10 Energy Shattered Ring World segments in home system will replace guaranteed habitable worlds Cannot change the starting system	Homeworld is a Shattered Ring World Start with 3 Decrepit Tunnels blockers Start with 4 Ancient Rubble blockers	Agrarian Idyll  Anglers
Void Dwellers	Species has Habitat Preference Species has the Void Dweller trait Start with the Orbital Habitats technology researched  Habitat Expansion starts as a permanent research option Start with the following technologies researched:  Hydroponics Farming  Eco Simulation  Lithoids instead start with:  Powered Exoskeletons  Zero-G Refineries Hydroponic Farms have  +1 Farmer job Cannot change the starting system except for a special version of Sol 1% chance to spawn the Crystalline Empire enclave during mid-game (player only)	Start on a size 6 habitat built over a Research deposit Start on a size 4 habitat built over a Mining deposit Start on a size 4 habitat built over an Energy deposit Start with an Arcane Replicator planetary feature on the capital habitat	Gestalt Consciousness  Agrarian Idyll  Anglers  Idyllic Bloom
Necrophage	Species has the Necrophage trait Only Necrophage Pops can be Leaders or take Ruler jobs Can construct Chamber of Elevation buildings Can use the Necrophage purge type Adds a second custom prepatent species  Centralized Command technology starts as a permanent research option With Glandular Acclimation, necrophaged Pops' habitability preference changes to their current planet's type Guaranteed Habitable Worlds contain primitive civilizations advanced up to Iron Age	Start with 12 Pops of the prepatent species Start with a Chamber of Elevation building if not Genocidal	Machine Intelligence  Xenophile  Fanatic Egalitarian  Death Cult  Empath  Permanent Employment
Here Be Dragons	Start with an allied Sky Dragon leviathan A system 2 hyperlanes away will contain a Living Metal deposit	None	Genocidal
Ocean Paradise	Species has the Aquatic trait Start inside a nebula Start with 4 Frozen worlds and 10 Ice Asteroids Guaranteed habitable worlds are Frozen worlds Cannot change the starting system	Homeworld is a size 30 Ocean World Start with the Ocean Paradise homeworld modifier Start with a Crystal Reef planetary feature Start with 3 Submerged Ore Veins planetary features Start with 3 Underwater Vents planetary features Start with 8 Teeming Reef planetary features	Machine Intelligence
Slingshot to the Stars	−75% Starbase Influence Distance Cost There will be one less guaranteed habitable world A system neighboring the homeworld contains: A special Ruined Quantum Catapult megastructure The Quantum Catapult archaeological site First time the system is owned, gain  150 influence Able to repair the special Ruined Quantum Catapult without  Mega-engineering technology If the special Quantum Catapult is repaired, it unlocks the Quantum Catapult technology	None
Imperial Fiefdom	Start as a subject of an advanced empire Each galaxy size step spawns a vassal bordering the overlord (1 - 4) with the 4th vassal (the League) being a MegaCorp if you own that DLC Overlord's capital world is a size 30 Gaia World Overlord's capital system contains an active Gateway If multiple empires have the origin, they have the same overlord Overlord will construct an Overlord Garrison holding on all subject capitals +120 Decaying Opinion with the overlord After 40-65 years: The advanced empire will break into at least 3 empires at war with each other All AI vassals become independent Become independent or gain  100 influence Can become the overlord of previous vassals with Inferior relative power On day 2 choose to become a specialized subject:  Bulwark grants 5 destroyers and the  Destroyers technology  Prospectorium grants 2 construction ships  Scholarium grants a science ship and a level 3 scientist	None	Inwards Perfection  Driven Assimilator Genocidal
Progenitor Hive	Leaders gain experience each month Can construct Offspring Nest holdings Can construct Offspring Nest buildings Cannot construct Spawning Pools buildings −50% Menial Drone Output on worlds without an Offspring Drone Can release sectors as subjects unless  Devouring Swarm Can construct Offspring Outlook starbase buildings Can design and build Offspring ships Starting fleet has an Offspring Corvette Fleets without an Offspring Ship have the following penalties:  −50% Ship accuracy  −50% Ship evasion  −50% Ship fire rate  −50% Sublight speed	Start with an offspring Nest building Start with a Progenitor Nest planetary features If the homeworld is invaded or destroyed, gain the following empire-wide penalties: −10% Menial Drone Output  −30% Sublight Speed  −10 Stability Enables the Grow a New Progenitor decision, which removes these penalties	Hive Mind
Subterranean	Species has the Cave Dweller trait Mining Districts are uncapped  +2 Housing per Mining District  +1 Building Slot per 3 Mining Districts −75% Orbital Bombardment Damage +10% Building and District Cost and Upkeep −10% Planetary Build Speed Uses a unique city appearance outside habitable megastructures	None	Machine Intelligence
Teachers of the Shroud	Species has the Latent psionic trait Start in contact with the Shroud-Touched Coven enclave Can construct a Shroud Beacon starbase building Start with 25 Rare Crystals Can construct Psi Corps buildings  Psionic Theory technology starts as a permanent research option Nearby planets may be Shrouded Worlds Cannot pick ascension path perks	None	Spiritualist  Fanatic Purifiers
Knights of the Toxic God	Enables the Knightly Duties policy Can construct Order's Commandery holdings Start with the Quest for the Toxic God situation Cannot change the starting system except for a special version of Sol Can disable some of the origin effects for a reward if the situation isn't completed within 100 years.	Start with an A Blight Upon the Land planetary feature Start with an Envenomed Seas planetary feature Start with a Pestilential Wasteland planetary feature Start with a Pools Most Venomous planetary feature Start with a Swarms of the Deity planetary feature Start with a colonized size 6 habitat orbiting the homeworld Habitat starts with the Order's Keep building	Gestalt Consciousness  Fanatic Purifiers
Overtuned	Allows the selection of Overtuned traits Enables the Damn the Consequences edict Start with the Gene Tailoring technology researched		Machine Intelligence

Unplayable origins

The following origins have no effects and are not available to player empires.

Origin	Source	Description
Elder Race	Fallen Empires	This civilization greatly predates the current generation of galactic powers. Eons of stagnation gradually reduced their empire to a mere shadow of what it once was.
Enlightened	Enlightened pre-FTL civilizations	The natural development of this civilization was greatly accelerated by the interference of another party, who helped them become a spacefaring culture.
Separatists	Rebel empires	This civilization came into being when it rebelled and seceded from another empire.
Hegemon Subordinate	Empires generated by the  Hegemon origin	This civilization established early contact with their immediate alien neighbors. Gradually, over the span of a century, they were subordinated to one of those neighbors, who masterminded the birth of an interstellar union with them as its leader.
Imperial Liege	Overlord empire generated by the  Imperial Fiefdom origin	An ambitious overlord who has spent considerable time and efforts in subduing their closest neighbors to serve their every need. They are slowly growing more indolent as they devolve more and more responsibility to their vassals.
Khanate Successor	Horde successors	This civilization arose out of the ashes of the Great Khan's mighty empire.
Daemonic Incursion	Daemonic Incursion unique empire	Led by a corrupted champion, this empire emerged from a dimensional portal and has vowed to lay waste to this reality.

Capital

Authority	Effects
Non-Gestalt	+5 Stability  +10 Amenities  +100% Governing Ethics Attraction
Hive Mind	+5 Stability Amenities +10 Deviancy −20
Machine Intelligence	+5 Stability Amenities +10 Deviancy −20 Drone Resource Output +5%

The capital is the ruling seat of an empire as well as the final destination for all its trade routes. An empire's capital can be moved once every 10 years for a cost of 250  influence if the empire is at peace. An empire's capital planet and system are marked by gold star corners on the system and galaxy maps. The capital has its own world designation with the special effects.

Empire size

Authority	Size Effect
Hive Mind	−25%
Dictatorial	−10%
Corporate	+25%

 Empire size represents the increasing difficulties of managing a large empire. Each point of  empire size above 100 increases tradition cost by +0.2% and technology cost by +0.1%. This penalty is affected by certain authorities, as noted in the table on the right. Empire size also affects several other mechanics, typically increasing the cost to perform certain actions. Specifically, each point of empire size has the following effects:

•  +10 unity cost to reform the empire's government
• +10 plus +6 per planetary ascension tier unity cost to increase planetary ascension tier
•  +1% edict cost
•  +0.25 infiltration daily for other empires building a spy network
•  +2 naval capacity use required to maintain power projection

 Empire size is increased by each of the following owned by the empire:

Source	Size
Colony	10
Branch offices	2
System	1
Pop	1
District	0.5

Each of these categories is affected by its own set of modifiers:

Source	Empire Size
Courier Network tradition	−25% from systems and colonies
Private Prospectors civic	−33% from systems
Divided Attention civic	−50% from colonies
Imperial Prerogative ascension perk	−50% from colonies
Machine Intelligence authority	+50% from colonies
Intergalactic Directives Regulated Growth	+5% from systems
Intergalactic Directives Ensured Sovereignty	+15% from systems +5% from colonies
Intergalactic Directives A Voice for All	+25% from systems +15% from colonies
Modular Depots tradition	−25% from districts
Construction Templates technology	−10% from districts
Franchising civic	−25% from branch offices
Imperial Charter modifier	−25% from branch offices
Per Planetary Ascension tier	−5% from the colony, districts and per pop on the colony

Source	Empire Size
Docile species trait	−10% per pop
Streamlined Protocols species trait	−10% per pop
Unruly species trait	+10% per pop
High Bandwidth species trait	+10% per pop
Stellar Culture Shock planet modifier	−50% per pop
Per governor skill level	−2% per pop
Fanatic Pacifist ethic	−30% from pops
Subsumed Will civic	−20% from pops
OTA Updates civic	−20% from pops
Pacifist ethic	−15% from pops
Machine Intelligence authority	−15% from pops
Beacon of Liberty civic	−15% from pops
Psionic Theory technology	−10% from pops
Domination tradition tree finish	−10% from pops
Harmony tradition tree finish	−10% from pops
Synchronicity tradition tree finish	−10% from pops
The Greater Good resolution 4 or 5	−10% from pops
Galactic Mobilization	+2% from pops

Note that the "from pops" modifiers listed above apply on an empire-wide basis, whereas the "per pop" modifiers (also presented in game as "from pops") apply only to specific pops (e.g. those with the given trait). These are two different categories of size modifier: both groups are additive within themselves, but multiplicative between each other. As an example, pops with the  Docile trait in a sector governed by a level 1 governor in a  Fanatic Pacifist empire with  Beacon of Liberty will each contribute the following to the empire size:

$${\begin{aligned}{\text{Total}}&={\text{Base}}&\times (1-&{\text{Per pop modifiers}})&\times (1-&{\text{From pop modifiers}})\\&=1&\times (1-&[0.10+0.02])&\times (1-&[0.30+0.15])\\0.484&=1&\times 0.88&&\times 0.55&\end{aligned}}$$

Sector systems

Sectors are administrative regions within an empire. Every empire starts with a core sector, with the homeworld as the sector (and empire) capital. All sectors extend up to four hyperlanes away from the sector capital. All contiguous systems within that range are included in the sector; sectors cannot extend across systems that belong to a different sector, a different empire, or are unowned. Sectors also cannot extend through wormholes or gateways. Each sector can have a  Governor assigned to it, applying their effects to all colonies in the sector. Any colony which is not in a sector can be selected as the sector capital of a new sector, with the planet becoming marked by blue star corners on the system and galaxy maps. The new sector immediately adds all contiguous systems up to four hyperlanes away to itself.

It is also possible to change a sector capital to a new colony at any time at no cost. This immediately updates the sector's contained systems as if creating a new sector. Changing the core sector's capital requires moving the empire capital with the usual cost to do so.

All sectors, including the core sector, can be given a Sector Focus. Choosing a Sector Focus will make the sector develop itself automatically towards a given direction as long as it has resources, reducing micromanagement.

Energy credits and minerals can be added to a Shared Stockpile for all Sectors to use or given manually to each Sector. Resources transferred to sectors will be converted into a wildcard resource at a 1:1 ratio and it can be spent on planetary construction as though it were energy credits or minerals. Shared and Sector stockpiles are limited to the amount of energy credits you may store. Beyond that, it is wasted.

Relative power

Relative Power is a measure of how much empires are ahead of one another in terms of resource production, fleet power or researched technologies. A Relative Power of Superior/Inferior means that an empire has 50% more (1.5x) resource production, fleet power or researched technologies and a Relative Power of Overwhelming/Pathetic means that an empire has 150% more (2.5x) resource production, fleet power or researched technologies.

Relative Power is split into three categories: Fleet Power, Economic Power and Technology Level.

Fleet Power: The combined fleet power of every owned fleet.

• +1 per 1 Fleet Power

Economic Power: A weighted sum of all monthly income, including income from trade agreements. Monthly spending is not part of this score. The various resources are weighted the same as their base market price (base energy price for 1 unit):

• +1 per basic resources
• +2 per  Consumer Goods
• +4 per  Alloys
• +10 per common strategic resources
• +20 per rare strategic resources

Technology Level: 60 + the combined base Tech Cost of all researched technologies, divided by 100. Repeatables only count 0.33x as much as regular technologies.

• +60 Base Technology Level
• +0.01 per 1 base Tech Cost of all researched technologies, including repeatable technologies

The formula to calculate the overall power of an empire is: ${\text{Overall Power}}={\text{Fleet Power}}*2+{\text{Economic Power}}*3+{\text{Technology Level}}*1$

Victory score

Victory score tallies an empire's total accomplishment. The empire that has the highest score when the Victory Year arrives is declared winner. The Victory Year is configurable and can be disabled altogether. An empire will always declare victory, if it's the only one that can do so. All players may continue the game session normally even after an empire declares victory and the victory is, in practical terms, of little concern.

The Victory Window shows a total score for each empire and its ranking, as well as a breakdown by category. The categories are as follows:

Economic Strength: +1 per 1 Economic Power based on Relative Power OR +5000 if the Empire has no economy.

Technology Level: 60 +0.25 per 1 Technology Level over 60 based on Relative Power

Number of Systems: +10 per system

Number of Colonies: +50 per colony

Number of Pops: +2 per pop, regardless of type

Subject Empires: +50% of a subject empire's score is given to the overlord

Federation: +10% of each other federation member's score is shared by all federation members

Crisis Ships Killed: +10 per crisis ship destroyed

Relics Collected: Each Relic grants a large amount of score. The score of each Relic is shown on the Relics page.

Empire modifiers

Empire Modifiers are gained through a variety of actions such as event choices or diplomacy with enclaves. They affect the entire empire and as such bring large benefits or penalties.

Permanent modifiers

Permanent Empire Modifiers are always positive and last the entire game. They can only be gained through events.

Modifier	Effects	Source	Description	DLC
Market Nexus	−10% Market Fee	Galactic Market Station Can be captured	Hosts the Galactic Market Station
Universal Translator	+10% Monthly Society Research +15% Envoy Improve Relations	Random Event during any First Contact with Other Empires Grant Extra Funding Choice (−1000  Energy)	Although the so-called "Universal Translator" falls short of the initial promises of our researchers to instantly facilitate communication with any and all intelligent species, it is nevertheless a highly useful communication tool that now forms part of the standard equipment of our envoys and social scientists.
Flagellating Movement	+5% Evasion	Space Amoebas First contact choice.	We have updated our Evasive fleet stance protocols based on observations of the Space Amoebas' flagella.
Amoeba Hunter	+33% Damage to Space Amoebas 1000 Energy per destroyed Space Amoebas fleet	Militarist, Xenophobe or Genocidal Space Amoebas First contact choice.	Amoeba carcasses are rounded up after battle and their internal organs harvested for valuable organic compounds, bringing in 1000 for every fleet destroyed.
Amoeboid Pacification	Space Amoebas will not attack owned ships	Pacifist or Xenophile Space Amoebas First contact choice.	Fleets regulate radiation venting when approaching Space Amoebas, and the spaceborne creatures no longer recognize us as a threat.
Crystal Focus	+5% Energy Credits from Jobs	Crystalline Entities First contact choice.	Improved transmission mediums modeled after the Crystalline Entities' unique internal structures minimize resistive losses in energy production and distribution.
Crystal Hunter	+33% Damage to Crystalline Entities 500 Minerals per destroyed Crystalline Entities fleet	Militarist, Xenophobe or Genocidal Crystalline Entities First contact choice.	The shattered remains of Crystalline Entities are automatically salvaged after battle, bringing in 500 for every fleet destroyed.
Crystalline Pacification	Crystalline Entities will not attack owned ships	Pacifist or Xenophile Crystalline Entities First contact choice.	Short-wave broadcasts at certain frequencies effectively disguise our fleets as fellow Crystalline Entities, and the spaceborne creatures no longer recognize us as a threat.
Drone Mining Techniques	+10% Mining Station Minerals Output	Ancient Mining Drones special project choice	Using techniques derived from the Mining Drones allows us to efficiently exploit mineral veins previously not deemed worth the trouble.
Drone Destroyer	+33% Damage to Ancient Mining Drones	Ancient Mining Drones first contact choice.	The Mining Drones are obviously mass-produced. A weakness found in one is a weakness found in all.
Void Loops	+10% Physics Research from Jobs	Void Clouds first contact choice.	The anomalous nature of the Void Clouds open up new possibilities in physics research.
Cloud Destroyer	+33% Damage to Void Clouds	Void Clouds first contact choice.	The Void Clouds' charge fluctuates in a rapid but observable cycle. Striking with precise timing dramatically destabilizes the inscrutable energies that animate the entities.
Tiyanki Butcher	+10% Damage to Tiyanki +10% Damage to Tiyanki Matriarch	Tiyanki Grave Mound  archaeology site outcome Not Xenophile	Our in-depth knowledge of Tiyanki anatomy allows us to strike them with surgical precision, maximizing damage.
Sentinel Data	+20% Damage to Prethoryn Creatures	The Prethoryn Scourge covers 50% of the galaxy Sentinels weren't defeated	These detailed anatomy files on the Prethoryn were given to us by the Sentinels. With their help we have been able to identify several weak points in the exoskeletons of the Prethoryn creatures.
Asteroid Encryption	+1 Encryption	Asteroid Collision Anomaly event choice	Using ancient encryption discovered inside an abandoned relay station, this empire protects their secrets.
Asteroid Relay Stations	+2 Planet Sensor Range +2 Planet Hyperlane Detection Range	Asteroid Collision Anomaly event choice	This empire has started placing sensors inside asteroids of surrounding systems, granting them increased sensor range.
Minerals Mapping	+10% Minerals from Jobs	Possible Inhabitants Anomaly event choice	A system enabling us to quickly chart underground terrain and accurately map mineral veins.
Transcended Consciousness	+5% Monthly Unity	Gestalt Consciousness Gravity Well situation outcome	A fragment of our collective consciousness is lodged in the event horizon of a black hole, where a single second stretches into an eon. The time difference has its uses.
Radiation-Hardened Components	+5% Monthly Unity +5% Research Speed	Geomagnetic Storm situation outcome	Our empire perfected the process of shielding mechanical components from the damage caused by cosmic rays.
Hive Harrier	+25% Damage to the Asteroid Hives	Asteroid Hives alive and awakened Purchasing advice from the Curators (−2000  Energy)	Updated targeting data will allow our fleets to bombard Asteroid Hives where their surface armor is the most vulnerable.
Draconic Beats	+25% Damage to the Ether Drake	Ether Drake alive Purchasing advice from the Curators (−1000  Energy)	Military fleets have been instructed to fire at the Ether Drake in a specific rhythm when engaging the dragon.
Dreadnought Dazzler	+25% Damage to the Automated Dreadnought	Automated Dreadnought alive Purchasing advice from the Curators (−1000  Energy)	Fleet commanders engaging the Automated Dreadnought have been instructed to target any subsystems that will impair its automation processes.
Portal Pacifier	+25% Damage to the Dimensional Horror	Dimensional Horror alive Purchasing advice from the Curators (−1000  Energy)	The portal spawned by the Dimensional Horror can be destabilized if we launch pinpoint attacks against certain weak areas.
Stellar Drain	+25% Damage to the Stellar Devourer	Stellar Devourer alive Purchasing advice from the Curators (−1000  Energy)	The Curators have instructed us to fire at the Stellar Devourer's regulatory valves in order to disperse its inner heat.
The Infinite Calibrator	+25% Damage to the Infinity Machine	Infinity Machine alive Purchasing advice from the Curators (−600  Energy)	The Infinity Machine's real-time threat update system has one weak spot. It cannot keep up with constant change. We will henceforth assign a crew member on each ship to constantly make calibrations to the ship guns.
Technology of the Divine	+5% Happiness	Spiritualist Declared the Infinity Machine a divine object	Our people are praising the gigantic spherical calculator as a sign of the Divines' true power in the world.
The Singularity Processor	+5% Research Speed	Helping or successfully hacking the Infinity Machine Already have the  Positronic AI and  Zero Point Power technologies	A processing unit capable of expanding upon itself. This will further enhance our research capabilities.
The Mirror of Knowledge	+10% Research Speed	Helping the Infinity Machine successfully	We have gazed into the mirror universe of the Pantagruel black hole, enhancing our research capabilities.
Spectral Residue Studies	+5% Physics Research Speed +5% Energy Weapons Damage +10% Energy from Jobs	Defeating the Spectral Wraith	Obtained by defeating the Spectral Wraith. Any of the three colors works.
Ageless	+15 years Leader lifespan	Essence of Ageless Science Nexus event	Aging less with Ageless...
Inoculated Population	+5% Pop Growth Speed +10 years Leader lifespan	Ancient Caretakers inoculation success	The inoculations given to us by the Ancient Caretakers have proven of immense benefit, reducing illness and increasing the life expectancy of our population.
Improved Code Standards	+5% Robot output	Ancient Caretakers code changes success	The changes that the Ancient Caretakers made to our code base have turned out well, and has resulted in an permanent upgrade in resource production capabilities across our whole population.
Matricidal Instinct	+25% Damage to the Tiyanki Matriarch	Tiyanki Matriarch alive Purchasing advice from the Curators (−1000  Energy)	There is a chink in the ancient Tiyanki Matriarch's armor, in the form of a massive unexploded proton torpedo lodged in her hide. Our fleets know how to detonate it.
Protective Coating	+25% Damage to the Voidspawn	Voidspawn alive Purchasing advice from the Curators (−1000  Energy)	Heeding the Curators' advice, we have covered our ships in a coating that will protect them from the Voidspawn's corrosive spittle and spikes.
Scavenger Slayer	+25% Damage to the Scavenger Bot	Scavenger Bot alive Purchasing advice from the Curators (−1000  Energy)	The Scavenger was not built on any pre-engineered design. As a result, its ramshackle construction contains a number of structural weaknesses. Any fleet made aware of them could exploit this.
Asteroid Thrusters	+5% Sublight Speed	Calamitous Birth origin Asteroid in Orbit Anomaly event choice	Using ancient thrusters built for asteroids, this empire now moves faster.
Secrets of the Baol	−15% Terraforming cost	Finishing the Delve into the Secrets of the Baol Special Project	We have put the ancient knowledge of the Baol to our own use.
Secrets of the Cybrex	+10% Megastructure build speed	Finishing the Delve into the Secrets of the Cybrex Special Project	We have put the ancient knowledge of the Cybrex to our own use.
Secrets of the First League	+15% Industry research speed +10% Planet build speed	Finishing the Delve into the Secrets of the First League Special Project	We have put the ancient knowledge of the First League to our own use.
Secrets of the Irassians	+20% Biology research speed +5% Pop growth speed	Finishing the Delve into the Secrets of the Irassians Special Project	We have put the ancient knowledge of the Irassians to our own use.
Secrets of the Vultaum	+15% Computing research speed +10% Amenities	Finishing the Delve into the Secrets of the Vultaum Special Project Not  Machine Intelligence	The Vultaum archives have expanded our knowledge of computing considerably. We have used what we learned to create artificial virtual worlds for the enjoyment of all.
Secrets of the Vultaum	+15% Computing research speed +5% Mechanical pop assembly speed	Finishing the Delve into the Secrets of the Vultaum Special Project  Machine Intelligence	The Vultaum appear to have accepted some fundamentally illogical concepts in their research. Their research into computing and virtual worlds had some advances that we shall incorporate into our own processes.
Secrets of the Zroni	+10% Psionics research speed	Finishing the Delve into the Secrets of the Zroni Special Project	We have put the ancient knowledge of the Zroni to our own use.
The Chosen of Zarqlan	+10% Spiritualist Ethics Attraction	Head of Zarqlan Relic	As the chosen people of Zarqlan we can safely colonize Holy Worlds.
A Life Worthwhile	+5% Happiness	Never Forget  archaeology site outcome	Ever since the archaeological uncovering of an alien memorial stone, the empire's population have started to appreciate life a bit more.
Oracle	+10% Monthly Unity	Hidden Worlds  archaeology site outcome choice	The Oracle operates the empire like a well-oiled machine...when you oil her.
Cheap Thrills	−10% Pop Consumer Goods Upkeep +5% Happiness	The Sentinels  archaeology site "Replicate the Evermore" special project outcome choice	The Evermore, originally a virtual realm in which the digitized consciousnesses of aliens lived in eternal bliss, has been repurposed into a playground for the masses.
Anthem of Aurora	+5% Monthly energy credits	Beautiful Bubble  archaeology site outcome 33% chance	The science division has managed to reproduce the ethereal hymn "sung" by an encountered aurora borealis entity. All Energy production facilities now have harmonics systems that amplifies the yield.
Modern Trench War	+20% Defense Army Health	Trench World  archaeology site outcome 33% chance	Archaeological discoveries from a planet once besieged by gargantuan snail-like creatures has led to new and effective insight on how to utilise the environment for protection. This will improve the survivability of our armies in defensive combat against all ground assaults - even from giant space slugs!
Killer Microorganism	+50% Army Damage +100% Army collateral damage	The Library  archaeology site outcome choice	Our armies go into battle armed with a microorganism capable of devouring the life tissue of any being with verocious speed. Of course, they cannot entirely guarantee the safety of innocent bystanders as a result of its use...
Shallarian Terraforming Knowledge	−10% Terraforming cost +20% Terraforming Speed	Ruined Star System  archaeology site outcome	The ancient Shallarian nation is long-extinct, but their unparalleled knowledge of terraforming lives on in us.
Rudari Death Laser	+5% Energy weapons damage +5% Ship weapons range	Ruined Station  archaeology site outcome	As their civilization crumbled under the onslaught of enemy forces, the Rudari attempted to create a laser weapon capable of being deployed at interstellar range. Although they failed in this endeavor, their research has proved extremely useful to our own weapons specialists.
Forced Mindfulness	+5% Monthly unity	Any Other Rock  archaeology site outcome 66% chance Not  Gestalt Consciousness	During their time trapped in a deadly, lava-filled maze, our archaeology team developed a routine of mindful relaxation. The fundamental principles of this exercise is now commonly known throughout the empire.
Glory to the Many	+5% Monthly unity	Any Other Rock  archaeology site outcome 66% chance  Hive Mind	An expedition marooned inside a maze full of lava temporarily lost touch with the Hive Mind. Unable to rely on the collective consciousness they suffered a brief encounter with the dreaded notion of Self; a terrifying experience that only strengthened the contempt for individualism.
Debug Subroutine	+5% Monthly unity	Any Other Rock  archaeology site outcome 66% chance  Machine Intelligence	While temporarily isolated in a maze full of lava, our archaeology units were disconnected from the network and unable to perform their function. They developed an algorithm that allowed them to run a debug subroutine while in sleep mode. This subroutine was later uploaded and patched in to the main system.
Spurred by the Past	+5% Monthly unity +5% Happiness +5% Research Speed +10% Governing Ethics Attraction	On the Shoulders of Giants Archaeological Site chain	The revelation of our true past sparks motivation and a sense of purpose in our entire species.
Full Circle	+10% Monthly unity +5% Happiness +5% Research Speed +20% Governing Ethics Attraction +0.5 Monthly influence	On the Shoulders of Giants origin conclusion 80% chance	Our empire may forever enjoy the sense of purpose and closure we acquired by helping the Benefactors of our past.
Goes Around, Comes Around	+10% Monthly Unity +5% Happiness +5% Research Speed +20% Governing Ethics Attraction +0.5 Monthly influence	On the Shoulders of Giants origin conclusion 20% chance	Our empire is enjoying the positive effects from helping and forgiving an enemy of the past.
Streamlined Logistics	+10% Trade Value +2.5% Monthly Consumer Goods	Trade League federation joint operation Not all federation members participated in the joint operation	The federation is reaping the rewards of having implemented a consolidated logistical standard.
Fully Streamlined Logistics	+12% Trade Value +5% Monthly Consumer Goods	Trade League federation joint operation All federation members participated in the joint operation	The federation is enjoying a noticeable profit increase thanks to new, streamlined logistical standards.
Zombie Contract Manipulation	+50% Authoritarian Ethics Attraction	Permanent Employment civic 80-120 years have passed Not  Authoritarian	This empire fiddled with their zombie workers' contracts so that it's actually impossible to get out of debt.
Primordial Dragonslayers	+20% Governing Ethics Attraction +10% Monthly Unity	Here Be Dragons origin Defeating the Sky Dragon	Since time immemorial, a mighty Drake has roamed our home system... but no more! Freed from this threat, nothing remains that could hold us back as we march into the future.
Imperial Charter	−25% Empire Size from Branch Offices +10% Branch Office Value	Imperial Charter resolution	Our Imperial Charter gives us the right to open branch offices on planets throughout the Galactic Imperium, where we can establish Imperial Concession Ports. These branch office buildings generate income for both us and the ruler of the Galactic Imperium.
Syamelle's Blessing	+15% Pop Growth Speed	Quest for the Toxic God situation	A mysterious being blessed us after a brief but amorous encounter. A new vigor courses through us, and each rendezvous seems to offer new possibilities...
Luminous Blades	+1.5% Empire Alloys per Knight job	Quest for the Toxic God situation	Every Knight job increases empire Alloy production by 1.5%.
Trophies of the Doomslayer	+10% Knight job output +10% Lord Commander job output	The Doorway event chain  Knights of the Toxic God origin	Trophies and tales of a knight's journey through a hellish dimension. A source of inspiration for many knights and squires who yearn to one day undertake such a quest.

Renewable modifiers

Renewable Empire Modifiers last as long as an empire can afford their upkeep costs.

Modifier	Effects	Source	DLC
Resolution Passed	+5% Diplomatic weight	Proposed resolution passed
Resolution Failed	−5% Diplomatic weight	Proposed resolution did not pass
Ethic Promoted	+100% Chosen ethic attraction	Promoting a faction
Ethic Suppressed	−75% Chosen ethic attraction	Suppressing a faction
Additional Sacrifice: Bounty	+6%/+12%/+18%/+24%/+30% Monthly energy credits +6%/+12%/+18%/+24%/+30% Monthly minerals	Bounty sacrifice edict	Necroids
Additional Sacrifice: Harmony	+10%/+20%/+30%/+40%/+50% Happiness	Harmony sacrifice edict	Necroids
Additional Sacrifice: Togetherness	+6%/+12%/+18%/+24%/+30% Monthly unity	Togetherness sacrifice edict	Necroids
Muutagan Deal	+1/+2/+3/+4/+5 Monthly rare crystals −10/−20/−30/−40/−50 Monthly energy	Muutagan Merchant Guild Trader Enclave service	Leviathans
Riggan Deal	+1/+2/+3/+4/+5 Monthly volatile motes −10/−20/−30/−40/−50 Monthly energy	Riggan Commerce Exchange Trader Enclave service	Leviathans
Xuran Deal	+1/+2/+3/+4/+5 Monthly exotic gasses −10/−20/−30/−40/−50 Monthly energy	XuraCorp Trader Enclave service	Leviathans
Patron of the Arts	+10% Monthly unity	Artist Enclave service	Leviathans
Curator Insight	+10% Research speed	Curator Enclave service	Leviathans OR  Distant Stars

Unique empires

The following empires can appear during the game as a result of certain events. The species' climate preference will always match its homeworld.

Empire name	Species	Traits	Homeworld	Authority	Ethics	Civics	Requirements
United Nations of Earth	Human	Adaptive  Nomadic  Wasteful	Earth	Democratic	Fanatic Egalitarian  Xenophile	Beacon of Liberty  Idealistic Foundation	Sol primitive civilization achieving FTL after spawning in Early Space Age
Awoken	Awoken	Mechanical	Random	Random	Fanatic Materialist  Xenophile	Random Random	Limbo event chain outcome
Larionessi Consciousness	Larionessi	Intelligent  Rapid Breeders  Sedentary  Weak	Larion	Hive Mind	Gestalt Consciousness	Empath Memorialist	The Signal archaeology site
Nivlac Circle	Nivlac	Quick Learners Nivlac	Random	Random	Random Random	Random Random	Impossible Organism event chain outcome
Subterranean Empire	Random	Cave Dweller Random	Random	Random	Fanatic Militarist  Authoritarian	Random Random	Subterranean Civilization event chain outcome
Namaria	Namarian	Natural Engineers  Nomadic  Venerable	Random	Democratic	Egalitarian  Spiritualist  Xenophile	Random Random	MegaCorp DLC not enabled Nomad fleet offer
Ketling Star Pack	Ketling	Psionic  Thrifty  Deviants  Fleeting  Repugnant  Slow Breeders	Ruinous Core	Oligarchic	Egalitarian  Pacifist  Xenophile	Functional Architecture  Mining Guilds	Junk Ratlings systems were discovered At least one Junk Ratlings world was not claimed or invaded for a few decades
Prikkiki-Ti	Prikki	Industrious  Decadent  Solitary	Gish	Random	Fanatic Xenophobe  Militarist	Fanatic Purifiers  Cutthroat Politics	Time Loop anomaly event outcome
Daemonic Incursion	Daemon with Humanoids Daemon without Humanoids	Psionic  Robust  Very Strong  Deviants  Repugnant  Slow Breeders	Random	Dictatorial	Fanatic Xenophobe  Militarist	Fanatic Purifiers  Scavengers Divine Sovereign	The Doorway event chain outcome

Imperial Fiefdom empires

The  Imperial Fiefdom origin will generate a unique overlord and between 1 and 4 unique vassals depending on galaxy size. After 40-65 years from the game start, the vassals will offer to become a subject to the origin empire if they have Inferior relative power towards it. Accepting will grant a small reward.

Position	Homeworld class	Authority	Ethics	Civics	Diplomatic stance	First contact protocol	Subjugation reward	Min. galaxy size
Overlord	Gaia	Imperial	Materialist  Militarist  Xenophile	Feudal Society  Byzantine Bureaucracy	Cooperative	Proactive	None	Tiny
Vassal	Arid	Dictatorial	Fanatic Materialist  Authoritarian	Technocracy  Slaver Guilds	Isolationist	Aggressive	Engineering Research	Tiny
Vassal	Continental	Dictatorial	Fanatic Militarist  Spiritualist	Warrior Culture  Distinguished Admiralty	Cooperative	Cautious	Influence	Small
Vassal	Arctic	Dictatorial	Fanatic Spiritualist  Xenophobe	Exalted Priesthood  Philosopher King	Isolationist	Cautious	Unity	Medium
Vassal	Ocean	With  MegaCorp DLC:  Corporate Otherwise:  Oligarchic	Fanatic Materialist  Xenophile	With  MegaCorp DLC:  Free Traders  Ruthless Competition Otherwise:  Corporate Dominion  Meritocracy	Mercantile	Proactive	Energy	Large

References

Game concepts