Traditions

Version

This article has been verified for the current PC version (3.14) of the game.

Society Management

Traditions

Ascension perks

The Shroud

Player crisis

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.

Traditions tab

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:

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

"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.

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.

Adaptability / Versatility

The Adaptability and Versatility tradition trees focus on using planets more efficiently and a few empire bonuses. Empires that are not Machine Intelligence have access to Adaptability while Machine Intelligence empires have access to Versatility.

Adaptability
Adoption effects: −10% Pop Housing Usage Unlocks the Conquer Nature agenda (if )
Enhanced Recycling −15% Building and District strategic resource cost and upkeep	Environmental Diversification +10% Habitability
Survival of the Fittest −25% Orbital bombardment damage +25% Defense Army Damage	Adaptive Ecology +1 Building slots for all planets	Appropriation −50% Resettlement Cost
Finisher effects: Capital designations give additional +5% to all jobs Resource designations give additional +10% to their associated jobs Specialist designations give additional +5% to their associated jobs Other designations receive various unique bonuses

Versatility
Adoption effects: −10% Replicator upkeep Unlocks the Self Maintenance agenda (if )
Universal Compatibility +50 Trust Cap with Machine empires +1 Available Envoys	Spatial Optimization −10% Pop Amenities Usage
Adaptive Programming −10% Market Fee	Material Analysis −5% Upkeep from Jobs	Operational Proxies +1 Unity from Maintenance Drones
Finisher effects: +1 Energy upkeep from Replicators +10% Mechanical Pop Assembly Speed +2 Amenities from Maintenance Drones

Harmony / Synchronicity

The Harmony and Synchronicity tradition trees focus on better managing the empire. Individualist empires have access to the Harmony tree while Gestalt Consciousness empires have access to the Synchronicity tradition tree.

Harmony
Adoption effects: −10% Pop Upkeep Unlocks the Inner Stability agenda (if )
Mind and Body +10 years Leader lifespan −1 Leader maximum negative traits If Necrophage, replaced by: +5-100 Unity per converted pop	Kinship −10% Empire Size from Pops −75% Pop demotion time If either or , replaced by: −10% Empire Size from Pops −20% Leader upkeep	The Greater Good +25% Governing Ethics Attraction −10 Crime
Harmonious Directives +50 Edict fund		Utopian Dream +5 Stability −10% Planetary Ascension Cost
Finisher effects: +25% Planetary Ascension Effect Can create Holy Covenant federations (if )

Synchronicity
Adoption effects: −10% Pop Upkeep Unlocks Node Revision agendas
Cloned Organs / Self-Preservation Protocols +10 years Leader lifespan −1 Leader maximum negative traits If Necrophage, replaced by: +5-100 Unity per converted pop	Synchronized Agents −10% Empire Size from Pops −20% Leader upkeep	Instinctive Synchronization / Integrated Preservation Hive Mind: +2 Amenities from Synapse Drones Machine Intelligence −3 Deviancy from Evaluators +30% Automatic resettlement chance
Flexible Thought Routines / Flexible Governing Algorithms +50 Edict fund +1 Restored Node Additional Skill		Collective Reasoning +5 Stability −10% Planetary Ascension Cost
Finisher effects: +25% Planetary Ascension Effect Unlocks the Industrial Maintenance edict if Machine

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.

Diplomacy
Adoption effects: −50% Diplomatic Influence Cost Unlocks the Diplomatic Grants edict Unlocks the Build Relations agenda (if )
The Federation Can create Federations +1 Available Envoys	Diplomatic Networking +3 Unity per Embassy Allows advanced diplomatic actions without an Embassy
Entente Coordination +100% Federation Naval Capacity Contribution −25% Border Friction	Direct Diplomacy +50 Trust Cap +33% Trust Growth	Eminent Diplomats +5 Diplomatic Acceptance 1% Monthly chance to gain a Favor from Improving Relations
Finisher effects: +2 Monthly Federation experience gain +10% Diplomatic Weight +1 Official Capacity

Discovery

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

Discovery
Adoption effects: +20% Anomaly Research Speed Unlocks the Map The Stars edict Unlocks the Chart the Unknown agenda (if )
To Boldly Go Sensory Tendrils Exploration Drones +35% Survey Speed +50% Science Ship Disengage Chance	Science Division Mindlink Research Path Optimization +1 Research Alternatives +1 Scientist Capacity +1 Scientist Starting Skill Level
Database Uplinks +20% Research Station Output +20% Research from Starbase Buildings Unlocks the Research Subsidies edict	Polytechnic Education Hyperadaptive Evolution Iterative AI +1 Leader Pool Size +10% Leader Experience Gain
	Faith in Science Synaptic Broadcast Uplink Latency Reduction −20% Researcher upkeep
Finisher effects: +10% Research speed Can create Research Cooperative federations (if ) +1000 Research points in Research Caches if Scholarium Tier 3

Domination

The Domination tradition tree focuses on better managing planets and is available to all empires. Some of its perks have different effects for Gestalt Consciousness empires.

Domination
Adoption effects: +5% Worker output +5% Slave output −25% Slave political power Unlocks the Civil Exclusion agenda (if )
Colonial Viceroys +0.5 Monthly Influence +1 Official Capacity +1 Official Starting Skill Level	Imperious Architecture +1 Housing from upgraded capitals +1 Housing from all housing buildings	Judgment Corps Public Trust Officers (or if ) +1 Unity from Enforcers Unlocks the Enhanced Surveillance edict
Privy Council +20% Councilor Experience Gain +50 Edict Fund		Workplace Motivators +5% Worker output +5% Slave output Unlocks the Extended Shifts edict
Finisher effects: −10% Empire Size from Pops Can create Hegemony federations (if )

Domination
Adoption effects: −15% Pop amenities usage Unlocks the Civil Exclusion agenda (if )
Meeting of the Minds +0.5 Monthly Influence +1 Official Capacity +1 Official Starting Skill Level	Synaptic Extensions +2 Housing from Synaptic Nodes	Divergence Suppression −10 Deviancy on all colonies
Synaptic Network +20% Councilor Experience Gain +50 Edict Fund		Drone Network +5% Menial Drone output Unlocks the Drone Overdrive edict
Finisher effects: −10% Empire Size from Pops Can create Hegemony federations (if )

Domination
Adoption effects: −15% Pop amenities usage Unlocks the Civil Exclusion agenda (if )
Autonomous AI +0.5 Monthly Influence +1 Official Capacity +1 Official Starting Skill Level	Modular Depots −25% Empire Size from Districts	Deviancy Protocols −10 Deviancy on all colonies
Multithreaded Core Functions +20% Councilor Experience Gain +50 Edict Fund		Drone Network +5% Menial Drone output Unlocks the Drone Overdrive edict
Finisher effects: −10% Empire Size from Pops Can create Hegemony federations (if )

Expansion

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

Expansion
Adoption effects: +25% Colony Development Speed −20% Habitat capital and district alloy upkeep ×1.25 Chance to draw terraforming technologies Unlocks the Superior Colonies agenda (if )
Reach for the Stars −10% Starbase Influence Cost		Colonization Fever +1 Extra pops when establishing colony
Courier Network −25% Empire Size from Systems and Planets	Galactic Ambition −20% Starbase Upkeep	A New Life +10% Pop growth or assembly speed Pop growth speed Mechanical pop assembly speed
Finisher effects: +1 Max districts on non-artificial planets If Void Dwellers, replaced by: +1 Max districts on Habitats

Mercantile

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

Mercantile
Adoption effects: +5 Trade protection +1 Collection range Unlocks the Open Markets agenda (if )
Trickle Up Economics +1 Trade Value from Clerks +1 Amenities from Clerks	Adaptive Economic Policies Unlocks the Consumer Benefits and Marketplace of Ideas trade policies If member of a Trade League, replaced by: +50% Federation Naval Capacity Contribution If Worker Cooperative, replaced by: Pops with Employee Ownership living standards gain: +5% Resources from jobs, +5% Happiness
Commercial Enterprise +2 Amenities per Trader +1 Trader job per Commercial Zones +2 Trader jobs per Commerce Megaplexes	Marketplace of Better Ideas +10% Trade Value	Insider Trading −10% Market Fee
Finisher effects: +10% Trade Value Can create Trade League federations (if )

Prosperity

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

Prosperity
Adoption effects: +20% Mining Station output Unlocks the Favored Society agenda (if )
Administrative Operations −10% Building and District upkeep		Standard Construction Templates −10% Building and District build cost +25% Planet build speed
The Pursuit of Profit Creative Collectives Neural Signal Boosters Peak Performance Individualist: +5% Resources from jobs Gestalt Consciousness: +5% Complex Drone output	Interstellar Franchising Efficiency Instincts Efficiency Algorithms −5% Upkeep from Jobs	Public Works Division Extended Hives Optimized Nexus Modular Superstructures +1 Housing per housing district +3 Housing per Residential Arcology +5 Housing per housing segment If Void Dwellers, replaced by: +1 Housing per Habitation District +1 Max districts on Habitats
Finisher effects: −10% Station upkeep

Supremacy

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

Supremacy
Adoption effects: +20 Naval Capacity +20% Army Damage Unlocks the Military Buildup agenda (if )
Master Shipwrights +25% Ship Build Speed	Fleet Logistics Corps −10% Ship Upkeep +20% Naval Capacity	Overwhelming Force +20% Orbital Bombardment Damage +10% Ship Fire Rate
War Games +20 Fleet command limit +1 Commander Capacity +1 Commander Starting Skill Level		The Great Game +20% Damage against Starbases
Finisher effects: Unlocks War Doctrine policies Unlocks the Supremacist diplomatic stance

Unyielding

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

Unyielding
Adoption effects: +2 Starbase capacity +50% Starbase Upgrade Speed Unlocks the Impenetrable Border agenda (if )
Resistance is Frugal +25% Defense Army Health +0.5 Unity per Defense Army	Defensive Zeal +33% Starbase Health +33% Starbase Damage +33% Defense Platform Damage +33% Defense Platform Hull Points
Never Surrender −25% Orbital Bombardment Damage Received −25% War exhaustion gain +25% Hostile claim influence cost	Fortress Doctrine +2 Starbase Capacity −50% Starbase Upgrade Cost +4 Hostile Operation Difficulty for Sabotage Starbase (if )
Bulwark of Harmony +15% Ship Fire Rate within the empire's borders +33% Ship Build Speed while in a defensive war
Finisher effects: +50% Defense platform cap −20% Starbase Upkeep Can create Martial Alliance federations (if ) −0.5 Hostile Ship Daily Hull Regen in owned systems if Bulwark Tier 3

Enmity

The Enmity tradition tree focuses on gaining bonuses from having rivals and is not available to Genocidal, Inward Perfection or Driven Assimilator empires.

Enmity
Adoption effects: +3% Pop growth per neighboring rival +3% Mechanical pop assembly per neighboring rival +3% Organic pop assembly per neighboring rival Unlocks the Second Strike agenda (if )
Rise to the Occasion +0.5 Leader capacity for each class per rival	Match Economic power of any rival is Superior or Overwhelming: +10% Worker and Menial Drone output Fleet power of any rival is Superior or Overwhelming: −5% Ship build cost +10% Ship build speed Technology level of any rival is Superior or Overwhelming: −15% Researcher upkeep +100% Research buildings build speed
Consummate Contrarian +50% Diplomatic Weight when opposing resolutions	Outpace +15% Damage to rivals
	Eclipse After winning a war with the Animosity casus belli: +2% Research per rival for 10 years (max +10%) +2% Unity per rival for 10 years (max +10%)
Finisher effects: +1 Available envoys Unlocks the Antagonistic diplomatic stance

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.

Politics
Adoption effects: +1 Available Envoys +0.1 Monthly Influence per skill level of Official assigned to the Galactic Community Unlocks the Pioneer Politics agenda (if )
Quid Pro Quo +1 Favor from the proposing empire when a supported resolution passes	Gravitas −25% Resolution proposal cost −25% Resolution veto cost +2.5% Diplomatic Weight per skill level of Official assigned to the Galactic Community
National Agenda Whenever a resolution proposed by this empire passes, gain 18x unity output (250~1 000 000)	Persistent Petitioners Whenever a resolution proposed by another empire passes, gain +25% Diplomatic Weight until a resolution proposed by this empire passes.
Extraordinary Powers −25% Veto Cooldown −25% Emergency Measures Cooldown
Finisher effects: +10% Diplomatic Weight Unlocks the Politics Traditions resolutions

Subterfuge

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

Subterfuge
Adoption effects: +1 Codebreaking ×5 Chance for cloaking and detection technologies Unlocks the Uncover Secrets agenda (if )
Information Security +1 Encryption +5 Evasion		Operational Security +1 Codebreaking +2 Operation Skill +10 Tracking
Non-Disclosure Agreement +1 Hostile Operation Difficulty +20% Infiltration Required for Hostile Operations	Double Agents +1 Available Envoys +10 Maximum Infiltration Level		Shadow Recruits +50% Infiltration Speed
Finisher effects: 50% Infiltration Level refund for successful Operations +1 Cloaking Strength (if )

Aptitude

The Aptitude tradition tree focuses on leaders and is available to all empires.

Aptitude
Adoption effects: +1 Additional leader trait options Unlocks the Leadership Conditioning agenda
The Empire Needs You −25% Leader cost		Specialist Training +1 Leader pool size
Psychological Profiling −25% Leader upkeep	Healthcare Program −1 Leader maximum negative traits	Champions of the Empire +1 Leader starting traits
Finisher effects: +1 Leader capacity for each class

Statecraft

The Statecraft tradition tree focuses on the government council and is available to all empires.

Statecraft
Adoption effects: +50 Edict Fund Unlocks the Departmental Efficiency agenda
Constitutional Focus +25% Council Agenda Speed	Amongst Peers +150 Councilor Experience per Skill Level when launching an agenda
Inspiring Agendas Unlocks the Rightful Claims agenda Unlocks the Oppose the Fallen agenda	Shared Benefits +1 Effective Councilor Skill
Immutable Directives +25% Council Agenda Effect Duration
Finisher effects: −5% Empire Size

Archivism

The Archivism tradition tree focuses on specimens and is only available after the empire has researched the Galactic Archivism technology.

Archivism
Adoption effects: −50% Exhibit Unlocking Cost +5% Anomaly Discovery Chance Unlocks the Astute Observation agenda (if )
Xeno-Palenotology +30% Scientist Experience Gain +30% Archaeology Excavation Speed +1 Archaeology Skill	Expert Negotiation Genocidal: +200% Specimen Selling Cost +1% Diplomatic Weight per exhibited specimen Genocidal: +5 Unity per exhibited specimen
Frontier Archaeology −25% Orbital bombardment damage +35% Science Ship Sublight Speed −50% Science Ship Upkeep Can excavate in unowned systems Gain a random Xeno Geology artifact specimen	Flawless Display Each rare, epic, or exceptional specimen increases specimen production for its category by +5% Gain a random Aesthetic Wonders artifact specimen	Exhibition Specialization Unlocks Exhibition Focus policies Gain a random Galactic History artifact specimen
Finisher effects: +15% Specimens output −15% Relic Activation Cost per fully exhibited collection category (max −45%)

Domestication

The Domestication tradition tree focuses on space fauna and is only available after the empire has researched the Artificial Breeding technology.

Domestication
Adoption effects: +20% Farmer Output −10% Space Fauna Cloning Cost Unlocks the Galactic Trawling agenda (if )
Containment Protocols +25% Vivarium Max Capacity +20% Fauna Capture Chance +50% Space Fauna Rarity		Bio-Repurposing +33% Clear Blocker Speed +250 Food when clearing an Organic Blocker Lost space fauna leaves a debris to recover 10% of their cost
Astrozoology +100% Increased chance for space fauna to breed +25% Culling Reward +50% Zookeeper Output	Metabolic Regulation Unlocks Metabolic Regulation policies +15% Space Fauna Cloning Speed +5% Pop growth or assembly speed Pop growth speed Mechanical pop assembly speed		Killer Instinct +15% Space Fauna Damage +15% Space Fauna Sublight Speed
Finisher effects: +50% Space Fauna Experience Gain Unlocks Voidlure starbase buildings

Ascension tradition trees

Ascension tradition trees require a specific technology and either a certain ascension path perk or origin. As such, they are all mutually exclusive. AI empires will always pick these tradition trees if they have unlocked them.

Genetics

The Genetic tradition tree focuses on enhancing your population through genetic modification.

Adopting it requires the Gene Tailoring technology and the Engineered Evolution ascension perk.

Genetics
Adoption effects: Unlocks the Genetic Pursuit agenda Unlocks the Clone Vats building
Genetic Resequencing Genetic modification can remove positive traits Genetic modification can remove overtuned traits Genetic modification can add negative traits	Stem Cell Stimulation +10% Habitability
Engineered Genesis Genetic modification can change species portrait Unlocks assimilation into or out of Hive Minds	Retroviral Manipulation +1.5 Monthly organic pop assembly from Clone Vats buildings
Allelic Expression +6 Genetic modification points +2 Organic species trait picks −50% Modify Species special project cost Genetic modification can add genetic ascension traits
Finisher effects: −33% Clone Vats upkeep Can research Botanical Transgenesis (if ) Can research Silicate Transgenesis (if ) Can research Leviathan Transgenesis (with any of )

Psionics

The Psionic tradition tree focuses on awakening your population's psionic potential and communing with the Shroud.

Adopting it requires the Psionic Theory technology and either:

• Mind over Matter ascension perk
• Teachers of the Shroud origin

Psionics
Adoption effects: All pops gain the Latent Psionic trait Adds Telepathy as a research option if Teachers of the Shroud Unlocks the Psionic Supremacy agenda
Psi-Corps Unlocks the Psi Corps building Unlocks the Psi Corps orbital ring building Adds Thought Enforcement as a research option	Mind Readers +10 Base Intel Level Unlocks the Sight Beyond Sight edict
Great Awakening Replaces Latent Psionic trait with Psionic for main species Unlocks Psionic assimilation
Breach the Shroud Unlocks a special project to enter the Shroud +5% Psionic pop output per Telepath	Shrouded Communications +2 Codebreaking +2 Encryption
Finisher effects: −10% Edict upkeep −20% Shroud delve cooldown Can confirm an established Covenant

Cybernetics

The Cybernetic tradition tree focuses on augmenting the population with Cybernetic implants.

Adopting it requires the

Integrated Cybernetics

Adaptive Cybernetics

technology and either:

• 
  The Flesh is Weak

  Organo-Machine Interfacing
  ascension perk
• Cybernetic Creed origin

During the Cyberization and The Conclave of Fusion situations, the traditions do not provide any benefit and finishing the tradition tree does not award the ascension perk. Instead, each tradition increases situation progress speed by +5%, and completing the tradition tree increases it by an additional +25% (total of +50%).

Many of these traditions have different effects for Hive Minds and Driven Assimilators.

Cybernetics
Adoption effects: Unlocks a special project to give all pops the Cybernetic trait (if ) Starts the Cyberization situation (if ) If Cybernetic Creed, replaced by: Starts the The Conclave of Fusion situation Unlocks the Cybernetic Advantage agenda
Transubstantiation Synthesis Unlocks Cybernetic Assimilation If Fanatic Purifiers, replaced by Organ Harvesting: +10% Pop growth speed on planets with ongoing purges
Metabolic Reprocessing −10% Cybernetic pop upkeep	Integrated Anatomy Cybernetic pops can be modified with cyborg traits +1 Organic species trait picks
Augmentation Overload Unlocks the Augmentation Center building (if ) +2 Augmentors from Augmentation Centers (if )	Modular Cybernetics −50% Modify Species special project cost Machine trait points and picks also apply to cybernetic species
Finisher effects: +10% Resources from Cybernetic pops +1 Organic species trait picks Can switch to a Cybernetic authority (if )

Cybernetics
Adoption effects: Unlocks a special project to give all pops the Cybernetic trait (if ) Starts the Cyberization situation (if ) Unlocks the Cybernetic Advantage agenda
Transubstantiation Synthesis Unlocks Cybernetic Assimilation Can assimilate individualist pops into the Hive Mind If Devouring Swarm, replaced by Organ Harvesting: +10% Pop growth speed on planets with ongoing purges
Metabolic Reprocessing −10% Cybernetic pop upkeep −10% Empire Size from Cybernetic pops	Integrated Anatomy Cybernetic pops can be modified with cyborg traits +1 Organic species trait picks
Synaptic Sub-Processing −25% Empire Size from Districts +2 Augmentor Drones from Spawning Pools	Modular Cybernetics −50% Modify Species special project cost +3 Organic species trait points
Finisher effects: +10% Resources from Cybernetic pops +1 Organic species trait picks Can switch to a Cybernetic authority (if )

Cybernetics
Adoption effects: +10-175 Engineering research per assimilated pop Increases Unity and Society research gained for each pop assimilated Unlocks the Cybernetic Advantage agenda
Inevitable Assimilation +1-3 Pops assimilated each year Can assimilate Hive-Minded pops
Metabolic Reprocessing −10% Cybernetic pop upkeep	Integrated Anatomy Cybernetic pops can be modified with cyborg traits
Gestation Worlds Unlocks the Create Gestation World decision	Modular Cybernetics −50% Modify Species special project cost Machine trait points and picks also apply to cybernetic species
Finisher effects: +10% Resources from Cybernetic pops +2 Machine species trait picks Can switch to a Cybernetic authority (if )

Synthetics

The Synthetic tradition tree focuses on transferring the minds of your population into mechanical bodies and improving your mechanical pops.

For organic empires, it requires the Artificial Administration technology and either:

• Synthetic Evolution ascension perk
• Synthetic Fertility origin

For machine empires, the availability of this tradition tree depends on active DLCs:

• If The Machine Age DLC is not enabled, machine empires can adopt this tradition tree if they have the Machine Template System technology and the Synthetic Age ascension perk.
• If The Machine Age DLC is enabled, machine empires cannot adopt this tradition tree, and use unique Machine ascension paths instead.

During the Synthetization situation, the traditions do not provide any benefit and finishing the tradition tree does not award the ascension perk. Instead, each tradition increases situation progress speed by +5%, and completing the tradition tree increases it by an additional +25%.

Synthetics
Adoption effects: Adds Artificial Personality Matrix as a guaranteed research option Unlocks a special project to turn all organic non-Livestock pops mechanical (if ) Starts the Synthetization situation (if ) Unlocks the Synthetic Yield agenda
Maintenance Protocols −10% Robotic pop amenities usage	Synthetic Age Unlocks Synthetic assimilation If Fanatic Purifiers, replaced by Solid-State Actuators: +20% Leader Lifespan If chose Virtual in Digital Refactoring event chain: −15% Leader recruit cost and upkeep
Optimization Algorithms +10% Robotic pop output	Efficient Power Systems −25% Robot upkeep −25% Roboticist upkeep −25% Identity Designer upkeep	Prefabricated Components +1 Roboticist job from capital buildings +2 Amenities from Roboticists
Finisher effects: +2 Machine trait points +2 Machine trait picks −50% Modify Species special project cost

Synthetics
Adoption effects: +25% Habitability Unlocks the Synthetic Yield agenda
Maintenance Protocols −10% Robotic pop amenities usage	Solid-State Actuators +20% Leader Lifespan
Optimization Algorithms +10% Robotic pop output	Efficient Power Systems −25% Robot upkeep −25% Replicator upkeep	Prefabricated Components +1 Replicator job from capital buildings
Finisher effects: +2 Machine trait points +2 Machine trait picks −50% Modify Species special project cost Leaders gain the Synth trait

Machine ascension paths

A Machine empire picking the Synthetic Age ascension perk will start the Transformation situation. At stage IV of the situation, the empire will be given an option to choose between three unique ascension traditions.

Modularity

The Modularity tradition tree focuses on species modification and improving machine pops.

Modularity
Adoption effects: +0.1 Living Metal from Metallurgists Unlocks the Reshape Form agenda
High-Speed Replacements +10% Worker and Menial Drone output +4 Pops with Auto-Modding traits optimized per month
Living Metal Joints +1 Mechanical Pop Assembly from Roboticists Roboticists Replicators +0.15 Living Metal Upkeep from Roboticists Roboticists Replicators	Pacification Modules +50% Army Damage +10 Stability +0.25 Stability from Soldiers
High-Level Enhancements +2% Worker output from Administrators If Rogue Servitor, replaced by: +1 Unity from Bio-Trophies	Advanced Tools Robomodding can add modularity traits +4 Machine Modification Points +4 Machine Trait Picks −50% Modify Species special project cost
Finisher effects: −15% Upkeep from Jobs Leaders gain the Synth trait

Nanotech

The Nanotech tradition tree focuses on harvesting Nanites and using them to build ships.

Nanotech
Adoption effects: Unlocks the Nanite Research Facility building Unlocks the Nanite Harvester starbase building Unlocks the Unstoppable Swarm agenda
Aggregation Systems Unlocks the Nanite Research Complex building +0.2 Nanites from Farmers and Miners −1 Food from Farmers −1 Minerals from Miners	Molecular Reconfiguration Unlocks the Nanotech Cauldron building Adds Nanite Transmutation research option (if )
Unbridled Consumption Unlocks the Subsume World decision	Flood of Supremacy Unlocks the Nanite Swarmer ship Adds Nanite Autocannon research option Adds Nanite Flak Battery research option Adds Nanite Repair System research option
Nanite Augmentations Unlocks Nanite edicts Unlocks the Nanite Interdictor ship
Finisher effects: −50% Empire Size from Colonies Nanite Harvesters either increase nanites deposit size or grant lump sum of nanites every 5 years

Virtuality

The Virtuality tradition tree focuses on increasing pop efficiency across a small number of planets.

Virtuality
Adoption effects: Primary species gains the Virtual trait +2 Codebreaking +2 Encryption −15% Alloys from Metallurgists −15% Consumer Goods from Artisans Unlocks the Optimized Network agenda
Clustered Capacity +175% Virtual pop resource output −25% Virtual pop resource output per colony +0.1 Energy pop upkeep per colony	Data-Driven Logic Loops −15% Administrator job upkeep −15% Researcher job upkeep −15% Leader upkeep −15% Empire size from pops +100% Empire size from planets
Capacity Synchronization Unlocks Virtual Focus policies
Productivity Simulations Districts that provide Clerk Clerk Maintenance Drone , Administrator Bureaucrat Manager Steward Coordinator or Researcher Researcher Calculator jobs provide additional jobs (usually ×1.5)	Advanced Server Maintenance +1% Virtual pop resource output per Clerk Clerk Maintenance Drone +1 Max districts at planetary ascension level 1 +1 Max districts at planetary ascension level 5 +1 Max districts at planetary ascension level 10
Finisher effects: Virtual pops are created for every free job Unemployed Virtual pops are automatically removed Unlocks the Server Shut Down decision When a colony is lost to another empire whose primary species don't have Virtual trait, the colony loses all Virtual pops

References

Game concepts