Species
Every habitable planet has the potential of developing different kinds of intelligent beings that may, naturally or not, develop technologically. Sometimes, such beings reach a crucial point in their development that allows them access to FTL technology and, as a consequence, the ability to become full-fledged interstellar empires.
A species may or may not equate with an empire. At first, every empire will be made up entirely of its original species but eventually, it may include other species through conquest, migration pacts, enlightening pre-FTL cultures, accepting refugees, or some events.
The portrait of a species can be changed through pop modification if the 
Genetic Resequencing technology is researched, but the species class cannot be changed. Some species do not allow changing portraits.
Species identity[edit | edit source]
At galaxy generation species are divided into species class groups, parent species and sub-species.
There are 10 different species classes, representing species with similar observable characteristics, including its morphology or physical form and structure, its developmental processes and its biochemical and physiological properties.
A parent species is the first spawned species of its kind (a kind is defined by its species portrait and name). A sub-species is created when a pop modification template is applied to a parent species or another sub-species and is considered to be the same species for the purposes of xenophobia, xenophilia and species rights.
Species within the same class will be less affected by xenophobia and xenophilia, with the effect increasing if they share the same portrait. If two species are created during galaxy generation with the same portrait and name they will be considered the same species.
List of species classes[edit | edit source]
Each species portrait available to start a new empire will belong to one of the following classes: Arthropoid (arthropod-like), Avian (bird-like), Fungoid (fungus-like), Humanoid (human-like), Mammalian (mammal-like), Molluscoid (invertebrates), Reptilian (reptile-like), Plantoid (part of the Plantoids Species Pack DLC), Lithoid (part of the Lithoids Species Pack DLC), Necroid (part of the Necroids Species Pack DLC), Aquatic (part of the Aquatics Species Pack DLC) and Machine (part of the Synthetic Dawn DLC).
Each species can have traits and will have climate preference based on its homeworld.
The first ruler of every empire can be customized.
Humanoid[edit | edit source]
The humanoid species class uses different models and voices for each gender. Some humanoids feature hairstyle customization. Each portrait has its own diplomacy voice.
Human
Humanoid #2
Humanoid #3
Humanoid #4
Humanoid #5
Ten additional portraits are available as part of the Humanoid Species Pack DLC.
Humanoid HP #1
Humanoid HP #2
Humanoid HP #6
Humanoid HP #7
Humanoid HP #8
Humanoid HP #9
Humanoid HP #10
Humanoid HP #11
Humanoid HP #12
Humanoid HP #13
| Portrait | Female voice sample | Male voice sample |
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Mammalian[edit | edit source]
Most mammalian portraits have a unique dialogue when targeted with a diplomacy insult.
Slender #5
Massive #13
Normal #10
Massive #14
Slender #4
Normal #9
Massive #11
Normal #6
Slender #3
Massive #12
Normal #7
Massive #15
Slender #2
Normal #8
Slender #1
Massive #16
Massive #17
Ketling / Racket
| Portrait | Voice sample |
|---|---|
| Any |
Note: The Evil Porcupine (Massive #17) portrait was originally exclusive players who pre-ordered Stellaris before being released as part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC.
Reptilian[edit | edit source]
Few portraits have their own diplomacy voices.
Slender #02
Normal #10
Massive #14
Slender #03
Normal #07
Massive #12
Normal #09
Massive #11
Normal #06
Massive #13
Slender #01
Normal #08
Slender #04
Massive #15
Slender #05
Reptilian #17
Reptilian #16
| Portrait | Voice sample |
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| Any except Reptilian #17 and Reptilian #16 | |
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Note: The Fairy Dragon (Reptilian #17) portrait is part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC.
Avian[edit | edit source]
Few portraits have their own diplomacy voices.
Slender #01
Normal #08
Massive #13
Normal #10
Massive #15
Slender #04
Normal #07
Slender #05
Normal #09
Normal #06
Massive #11
Slender #03
Massive #14
Slender #02
Massive #12
Massive #16
Massive #17
Avian #18
| Portrait | Voice sample |
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| Any except Avian #18 | |
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Note: The Chirpy portrait (Massive #16) is available to those who login to their Paradox account while in-game.[1]
The Dinosaur Bird (Massive #17) portrait was originally exclusive to players who pre-ordered Stellaris before being released as part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC.
The Peacock Avian (Avian #18) portrait is part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC.
Arthropoid[edit | edit source]
Few portraits have their own diplomacy voices.
Massive #14
Normal #07
Massive #12
Normal #06
Slender #01
Massive #13
Normal #08
Slender #03
Slender #05
Normal #09
Normal #10
Massive #11
Massive #15
Massive #16
Arthropoid #20
Massive #17
Arthropoid #19
Arthropoid #18
| Portrait | Voice sample |
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| Any except Arthropoid #20 and Arthropoid #18 | |
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Note: The Shadowy Arthropod (Massive #17) portrait was originally exclusive players who pre-ordered Stellaris before being released as part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC.
The Arachnoid (Massive #16) portrait is included only in the Nova Edition or the Galaxy Edition of Stellaris.
The Larvae (Arthropoid #20) portrait is part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC.
The Mantis Shrimp (Arthropoid #19) portrait is available to those who login to their Paradox account while in-game[2]
Molluscoid[edit | edit source]
Few portraits have their own diplomacy voices.
Slender #03
Normal #07
Massive #13
Slender #02
Massive #14
Slender #04
Normal #08
Slender #01
Massive #11
Massive #12
Slender #05
Normal #06
Massive #15
Massive #16
Molluscoid #17
Molluscoid #18
| Portrait | Voice sample |
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| Any except Molluscoid #17 and Molluscoid #18 | |
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Note: The Hydra/Xenomorph (Massive #16) portrait was originally exclusive to players those who pre-ordered Stellaris before being released as part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC.
Fungoid[edit | edit source]
Few portraits have their own diplomacy voices.
Slender #02
Slender #04
Slender #03
Massive #13
Massive #12
Normal #06
Massive #15
Normal #07
Slender #01
Normal #09
Massive #11
Normal #08
Massive #14
Normal #10
Massive #16
Fungoid #17
| Portrait | Voice sample |
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| Any except Fungoid #17 | |
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Note: The Fungoid Infected Mammalian (Massive #16) portrait was originally exclusive to players who pre-ordered Stellaris before being released as part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC.
Plantoid[edit | edit source]
The Plantoid class is part of the Plantoids Species Pack DLC. If the 
Ancient Relics DLC is enabled this class can be played with the Baol portrait but plantoid ship and city appearance will not be available.
Slender #02
Normal #06
Slender #01
Massive #11
Slender #03
Massive #13
Normal #07
Massive #15
Normal #10
Slender #05
Normal #09
Massive #14
Slender #04
Normal #08
Massive #12
Baol
| Portrait | Voice sample |
|---|---|
| Any |
Lithoid[edit | edit source]
The Lithoid class is part of the Lithoids Species Pack DLC. Each portrait has its own diplomacy voice.
Golem #1
Lava #2
Geode #3
Angelic #4
Mantis #5
Symbiotic #6
Pyrite #7
Sedimentary #8
Spider #9
Unicorn #10
Levitating #11
Crystal #12
Exo #13
Snake #14
Spined #15
| Portrait | Voice sample |
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Necroid[edit | edit source]
The Necroid class is part of the Necroids Species Pack DLC. Each portrait has its own diplomacy voice.
Mummalien #1
Suited Corpse #2
Overgrown #3
Hologram #4
Ascended #5
Exoskeletoid #6
Masked #7
Connectoid #8
Stasis Being #9
Boneworshipper #10
Death Worshipper #11
Palien #12
Feral Zombie #13
Energy Being #14
Skeletoid #15
| Portrait | Voice sample |
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Aquatic[edit | edit source]
The Aquatic class is part of the Aquatics Species Pack DLC. Some portraits of this species class feature different models for each gender. Each portrait has its own diplomacy voice.
Aquatic #01
Aquatic #02
Aquatic #03
Aquatic #04
Aquatic #05
Aquatic #06
Aquatic #07
Aquatic #08
Aquatic #09
Aquatic #10
Aquatic #11
Aquatic #12
Aquatic #13
Aquatic #14
Aquatic #15
| Portrait | Voice sample | Has different models for each gender |
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Machine[edit | edit source]
Machines are not a naturally evolved species but rather an artificial one that can be constructed with the required technology or if by starting as a machine empire. Each portrait has its own diplomacy voice. When an empire first creates robots they'll use the portrait that matches the creator species' class.
Common
Humanoid
Mammalian
Reptilian
Avian
Arthopoid
Molluscoid
Fungoid
Plantoid
Lithoid
Reaper (Necroid)
Aquatic
| Portrait | Voice sample | Original species class |
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Any if no DLC | |
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Humanoid | |
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Mammalian | |
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Reptilian | |
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Avian | |
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Arthopoid |
| Portrait | Voice sample | Original species class |
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Molluscoid | |
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Fungoid | |
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Plantoid | |
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Lithoid | |
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Necroid | |
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Aquatic |
Crisis[edit | edit source]
Crisis species are not playable and will only appear following the arrival of a crisis.
Prethoryn Scourge
Unbidden
Aberrant
Vehement
Contingency Custodian Bot
| Portrait | Contacts menu background | Voice sample | Crisis species |
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Prethoryn Scourge | ||
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Unbidden | ||
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Aberrant | ||
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Vehement |
Species classes[edit | edit source]
Species classes are further grouped by species classes. Each of them can have different mechanics and even available traits.
| Species class | Trait | Upkeep resource | Multiplication | Modification | Additional mechanics | Available on start |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological |  Food
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 Growth
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 Genetic
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Can create hybrid species with all biological groups |
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| Lithoid |  Lithoid
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 Minerals
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Growth
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Genetic
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| Machine |  Machine Unit
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 Energy
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 Assembly
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 Cybernetic
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Must use  Machine Intelligence authority
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| Robotic |  Mechanical
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Energy
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Assembly
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Cybernetic
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| Pre-Sapient |  Any pre-sapient trait
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None
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Cannot multiply
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 Uplifting
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Does not wear clothes |
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Compliments and insults[edit | edit source]
When contacted, empires with a high opinion may compliment you while those with a low opinion may insult you. The flavor text depends on the ruler's species. Species that wear and do not wear clothes also have a special diplomatic insult with each other.
| Species class | Compliment | Insult |
|---|---|---|
| Human | angel | monkey |
| Humanoid | sphinx |
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| Mammalian | sphinx | beast |
| Reptilian | dragon |
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| Avian | phoenix |
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| Arthropoid | scarab | bug |
| Molluscoid | kraken | parasite |
| Fungoid | chanterelle | shroom |
| Plantoid | rose | weed |
| Machine |
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| Lithoid | gem | coprolite |
| Necroid | specimen | husk |
| Aquatic |
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References[edit | edit source]
| Governance | Empire • Ethics • Government • Civics • Policies • Edicts • Leader • Factions • Population • Species rights • Economy • Technology • Traditions • Crime |
| Exploration | Exploration • Map • Species • Anomaly • Events • FTL • Fallen empire • Pre-FTL species • Precursors • Spaceborne aliens |
| Colonization | Colonization • Celestial body • Planetary features • Planetary management • Districts • Buildings • Ship • Starbase • Megastructures |
| Diplomacy | Diplomacy • Trade • Subject empire • Federations • Galactic community • AI personalities • Intelligence |
| Warfare | Warfare • Space warfare • Land warfare • Ship designer |
| Others | Traits • Terraforming • Pop modification • Slavery • Crisis • Preset empires • AI players • Easter eggs |
