Origin

Version

This article has been verified for the current PC version (4.0) of the game.

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

Many origins can only be used by one empire. They will not be generated on more than one random empire and can only appear if the player empire does not have the same origin. Force-spawning empires with the same such origin will not work and will spawn a random empire instead.

Pre-FTL civilizations can only have the Developing Civilization origin. If the First Contact DLC is enabled they can also spawn with the Mechanist, Life-Seeded, Shattered Ring, Ocean Paradise or Subterranean origins, provided their required DLCs are also enabled. If a pre-FTL civilization survives a nuclear war its origin will be replaced with Post-Apocalyptic.

Selectable origins

The following origins can be selected when creating an empire. It should be noted that the spawn weight applies to all randomly generated empires, both AI and the player empire if the game was started as a random empire.

Origin	Empire effects	Homeworld effects	Requirements			Spawn weight	DLC
Prosperous Unification	Guaranteed Society Research Option: Planetary Unification	+400 Initial Pops +1 Generator District +1 Agriculture District ( Machine and Lithoid) +1 Mining District ( Machine or Lithoid) Prosperous Unification +15% Happiness +25% Amenities +10% Resources from Jobs for 20 years				100
Galactic Doorstep	−25% Gateway Build Cost +5% Megastructure Build Speed Start with a dormant Gateway which will bring the following in the first years: 100-1500 Alloys and/or Minerals A small space amoeba Special project that creates the From Gateway Sent archaeological site Gain 95% progress to Gateway Construction tech after reactivating the gateway Gain the Secrets of the Black Crown specimen when reactivating the gateway (if ) 33% to get the Skrand Sharpbeak paragon when reactivating the first gateway 67% to get the Skrand Sharpbeak paragon when reactivating subsequent gateways	None				1 (once)
Lost Colony	An advanced empire with the same species 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 Multiple empires with the origin will not share the parent empire AI empires with this origin won't generate advanced empires if those were turned off	Start with a positive homeworld modifier depending on authority Homeworld does not get the +30% Habitability bonus				5 (once)
Remnants	Guaranteed Habitable Worlds gain the Colonial Remains modifier when colonized Start with the Archaeostudies technology researched (if ) Head of Research starts with the Expertise: Archaeostudies trait (if )	Homeworld is a size 22 Relic World Start with 6 Ruined Arcology blockers The Ruined Arcology blockers unlock random techs when cleared Start with a Faculty of Archaeostudies building (if )	Agrarian Idyll Planetscapers Planetscapers Geo-Engineering Inc. Cultivation Drones Gardening Protocols			5 (once)
Mechanist	Start with the Powered Exoskeletons technology researched Start with the Robotic Workers technology researched Machine Template System technology starts as a permanent research option +15% Mechanical pop assembly speed +2 Mechanical modification points +1 Mechanical species trait picks −1 Adaptive Frames trait points cost	Start with a Robot Assembly Plants building Start with 8 robot pops with the Adaptive Frames trait	Materialist Permanent Employment			10
Syncretic Evolution	Can create a second species with the Serviles trait	Start with 1200 Pops of the second species	Fanatic Purifiers Genesis Guides Genesis Guides Astrogenesis Technologies			10
Hard Reset	Species has the Cyber Commandos trait Species has the Unplugged trait Can select some cyborg traits at species creation Home system contains a Tomb World with 100% Devastation and an archeological site Start in combat against 3 corvettes Neighbor systems are guarded by a hostile fleet each (size depends on game difficulty) Can salvage the Specialized Combat Computers technology from defeated fleets The Opus Sentinel guardian will be present a few hyperlanes away Factions will form after 1 year Starts the Embodied Identity situation in 10 years if not started earlier Can only follow cybernetic ascension unless the species removes its starting traits	Start with 10 assault armies −50% Pop Amenities Usage for 10 years Cannot change the starting system except for a special version of Sol	Militarist Fanatic Spiritualist Fanatic Xenophile Aristocratic Elite Parliamentary System Idyllic Bloom Heroic Past Natural Design Criminal Heritage Media Conglomerate Trading Posts Pleasure Seekers Pleasure Seekers Corporate Hedonism Eager Explorers Eager Explorers Privatized Exploration Hyperspace Specialty Hyperspace Specialty Hyperspace Trade Dark Consortium Dark Consortium Shadow Corporation Genesis Guides Genesis Guides Astrogenesis Technologies Planetscapers Planetscapers Geo-Engineering Inc. Storm Devotion Storm Devotion Storm Influencers Biological shipset			0
Life-Seeded	Species has Gaia World Preference Machine species require Machine Template System technology to modify	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	Relentless Industrialists Relentless Industrialists Shareholder Values Mutagenic Spas Mutagenic Spas Mutagenic Luxury Lubrication Tanks Luxury Lubrication Pools Permutation Pools Hyper Lubrication Basin Genesis Guides Genesis Guides Astrogenesis Technologies Genesis Symbiotes Genesis Architects			5
Post-Apocalyptic	Species has the Survivor trait if organic Species has the Radiation Shielding trait if mechanical	Homeworld is a Tomb World	Agrarian Idyll Anglers Anglers Trawling Operations Marine Machines Maritime Robotics Planetscapers Planetscapers Geo-Engineering Inc. Cultivation Drones Gardening Protocols			5
Clone Army	Can construct up to 5 Ancient Clone Vat buildings Species has the Clone Soldier trait Commanders have the Clone Army Commander trait (unrecognized string “cloning” for Template:Icon) Start with the Cloning technology researched Start with the Gene Banks technology researched	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	Natural Design Permanent Employment			2
Common Ground	Start with the Federation Code technology researched Start as the president of a Federation with two other members Federation starts with neutral Cohesion and 600 experience The two members will share at least one ethic with the president, fanatic if possible The two members will be Xenophile if possible 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 The two members will have the same founder species class if Selective Kinship Xeno-Linguistics technology starts as a permanent research option (if )	None	Genocidal Xenophobe Inward Perfection Barbaric Despoilers			5 (once)
Hegemon	Start with the Federation Code technology researched Start as the president of a Hegemony federation with two other members Federation starts with neutral Cohesion and 600 experience The two members will share at least one ethic with the president, fanatic if possible The two members will be Xenophile if possible There will be no Guaranteed Habitable Worlds regardless of game settings The two members will have the same founder species class if Selective Kinship Xeno-Linguistics technology starts as a permanent research option (if )	None	Genocidal Xenophobe Egalitarian Inward Perfection			5 (once)
Doomsday	A warning is given a year before the homeworld explodes No guaranteed habitable planets will 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 Gain the Memorial to Homeworld specimen when the homeworld explodes (if )	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				5 (once)
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				5 (once)
Scion	Start as a Scion of the Holy Guardians or Keepers of Knowledge +200 Opinion to and from the overlord No opinion penalties for researching Fallen Empire technologies Researching Fallen Empire technologies grants Unity Start with a Wormhole leading to the overlord's capital system Surveying a Holy World grants a bonus of Influence or Unity Gain a more powerful gift every few decades Creates a 1-system Fallen Empire if the game was started with none Temporary Fallen Empire fleet every 20 years if losing a war against a Superior empire Xeno-Linguistics technology starts as a permanent research option (if )	None	Fanatic Xenophobe Pompous Purists			2 (once)
Shattered Ring	Species has Ring World Preference Start with a 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	Homeworld is a Shattered Ring World Start with 3 Decrepit Tunnels blockers Start with 4 Ancient Rubble blockers Other sections are repairable via decisions Cannot change the starting system	Agrarian Idyll Anglers Anglers Trawling Operations Marine Machines Maritime Robotics Planetscapers Planetscapers Geo-Engineering Inc. Cultivation Drones Gardening Protocols			2 (once)
Void Dwellers	Includes all effects of the Voidborne ascension perk −20% Habitat build cost −20% Habitat district cost +2 Habitat max districts +0.25 Habitat max districts from asteroids and moons +50% Jobs from habitat districts Can upgrade housing buildings on habitats Can always research the next tier of habitat technology Species has Habitat Preference Species has the Void Dweller trait if organic Species has the Zero-G Optimized trait if mechanical Start with the Orbital Habitats technology researched Start with the Hydroponics Farming technology researched if not Lithoid Start with the Eco Simulation technology researched if not Lithoid Start with the Powered Exoskeletons technology researched if Lithoid Start with the Zero-G Refineries technology researched if Lithoid Several Tradition trees have alternative bonuses to improve Habitats Guaranteed habitable worlds are replaced by resource-rich systems Machine species require Machine Template System technology to modify 1% chance to spawn the Crystalline Empire enclave during mid-game (player only)	Start on a habitat Cannot change the starting system except for a special version of Sol	Agrarian Idyll Idyllic Bloom Idyllic Bloom Mycorrhizal Ideal Anglers Anglers Trawling Operations Marine Machines Maritime Robotics Planetscapers Planetscapers Geo-Engineering Inc. Cultivation Drones Gardening Protocols			3
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 Can create a second species Centralized Command technology starts unlocked and can be researched With Glandular Acclimation, converting Pops changes habitability to their current planet's Guaranteed Habitable Worlds contain pre-FTL civilizations advanced up to Iron Age	Start with half of the Pops of the prepatent species Start with a Chamber of Elevation building if not Genocidal	Xenophile Fanatic Egalitarian Death Cult Death Cult Corporate Death Cult Permanent Employment Empath Bodysnatcher			5
Here Be Dragons	Start with an allied Sky Dragon guardian Killing the guardian grants a permanent empire modifier A system 2 hyperlanes away will contain a Living Metal deposit	None	Genocidal			5 (once)
Ocean Paradise	Species has the Aquatic trait if organic Species has the Waterproof trait if mechanical Start inside a nebula Start with 4 Frozen worlds and 10 Ice Asteroids Guaranteed habitable worlds are Frozen worlds	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 Uses a unique appearance Cannot change the starting system				5
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 Orbital Habitats technology starts unlocked and can be researched Can remove the origin effects for a reward if the situation isn't completed in 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 habitat orbiting the homeworld Habitat starts with the Order's Demesne specialization Habitat starts with the Order's Keep building Habitat starts with an Order's X-Calibrator planetary feature 800 pops are moved from the homeworld to the habitat Cannot change the starting system except for a special version of Sol	Fanatic Purifiers Oppressive Autocracy			2 (once)
Overtuned	Allows the selection of Overtuned traits Enables the Damn the Consequences edict Start with the Gene Tailoring technology researched +2 Organic species modification points +1 Organic species trait picks −1 Ascension perks needed to pick the Biomorphosis ascension perk	None	Natural Design Natural Design Innate Design			0
Imperial Fiefdom	Start as a subject of an empire with the Imperial Liege origin 1-4 vassals will border the overlord (depending on galaxy size) If multiple empires have the origin, they will have the same overlord Overlord will construct an Overlord Garrison holding on all subject capitals +120 Decaying Opinion with the overlord and its subjects On day 2, choose to become a specialized subject: Bulwark grants 5 destroyers and the technology to build more Prospectorium grants 2 construction ships Scholarium grants a science ship and a level 3 scientist After 40-65 years, become independent or gain 100 influence After 40-65 years, the overlord empire breaks apart Xeno-Linguistics technology starts as a permanent research option (if )	None	Inward Perfection Driven Assimilator Genocidal			0
Slingshot to the Stars	−75% Starbase Influence Distance Cost +50% Quantum Catapult Accuracy Catapulted fleets fire rate bonus is increased to +50% Start with the Quantum Catapult archaeological site in the neighbor system A neighbor system contains a Ruined Quantum Catapult megastructure Can repair the ruined megastructure without Mega-Engineering Building a starbase in the neighbor system grants 150 Influence If the megastructure is repaired, it unlocks the Quantum Catapult technology	None				0
Subterranean	Species has the Cave Dweller trait if organic Species has the Molebots trait if mechanical Mining Districts are uncapped Unlocks the Subterranean Urbanization specialization for Mining Districts +200 Housing from Mining Districts −75% Orbital Bombardment Damage −25% Cosmic Storm Devastation +10% Planetary Infrastructure Cost and Upkeep −10% Planetary Infrastructure Build Speed Uses a unique city appearance outside habitable megastructures	Mining Districts start with the Subterranean Urbanization specialization				5
Broken Shackles	An empire with the Payback origin will be present The Minamar Specialized Industries unique empire will be present Scientific Method technology is not researched but available as a permanent option Planetary Government technology is not researched but available as a permanent option Corvettes technology is not researched but available as a permanent option A pre-FTL civilization will exist for each starting species +1 Available Envoys +20% Infiltration Speed +20% First Contact Discovery Speed +50 Opinion to and from Payback empires +100 Opinion with homeworld pre-FTL civilizations Cannot set Slavery policy to Allowed Cannot set Purge policy to Allowed Factions will form after 1 year +50% Faction Unity Gain for 10 years after the first year Gain a moderate amount of Research (min 350) if Head of Research is alien Unlock the next research building technology if Head of Research is alien Gain a small amount of Unity (min 100) after constructing the first Outpost Gain a bonus for 5 years whenever a starting species' homeworld is surveyed One year after surveying a starting species' homeworld, the Homesick event chain will start Can get the The Cost of Freedom mid-game event chain Xeno-Linguistics technology starts as a permanent research option (if )	Start without any ships and stations Start with pops from 3-22 pre-FTL species Urban districts are replaced by 6 Scavenger Site districts Start with a Command Center as planet capital Start with an Administrative Hub building Start with a Laboratory Complex building Start with a Makeshift Farms building Start with a Power Plant building Start with a Scrap Refinery building Start with a Crashed Slaver Ship planetary feature Start with 5 Ship Debris blockers Homeworld does not get the +30 Habitability bonus Starts with the Stellar Culture Shock of invaded Early Space Age primitives Building a science ship reveals the Crashed Slaver Ship archaeological site +20% Citizen Pop Happiness for 20 years −50% Pop Amenities Usage for 20 years +100% Unity from Jobs for 20 years −25% Pop Housing Usage for 20 years −50% Pop Consumer Goods Upkeep for 20 years +50% Egalitarian Ethics Attraction for 20 years Can only select randomized starting systems	Authoritarian Xenophobe Selective Kinship Eager Explorers Eager Explorers Privatized Exploration Sovereign Guardianship Sovereign Guardianship Corporate Protectorate Pharma State			0
Payback	An empire with the Broken Shackles origin will be present The Minamar Specialized Industries unique empire will be present Scientific Method technology is not researched but available as a permanent option Planetary Government technology is not researched but available as a permanent option Corvettes technology is not researched but available as a permanent option +15% Damage to empires with Superior or Overwhelming relative power +50 Opinion to and from Broken Shackles empires Pre-FTL civilization will exist regardless of game settings In 6 months, gain a special project to remove the Debris Field homeworld modifier Cannot set First Contact Protocol policy to Proactive Xeno-Linguistics technology starts as a permanent research option (if )	Start without any ships and stations Archives specialization is replaced by Uplift Center Start with a Gene Clinics building Start with an Energy Grid building Start with an Mineral Purification Plants building Start with 1000 fewer pops Start with 33% Devastation Start with 6 Ship Debris blockers The Ship Debris blockers unlock random techs or resources when cleared The Ship Debris blockers grant unity when cleared Start with a Debris Field homeworld modifier Removing the modifier uncovers the Aftermath of Battle site +15% Happiness for 20 years +25% Amenities for 20 years +10% Resources from Jobs for 20 years +200 Unification Officer Jobs for 20 years 50% chance each decade the Gene Clinics building becomes ruined	Fanatic Purifiers Pompous Purists Oppressive Autocracy Slaver Guilds Slaver Guilds Indentured Assets Eager Explorers Eager Explorers Privatized Exploration Sovereign Guardianship Sovereign Guardianship Corporate Protectorate Pharma State			0
Fear of the Dark	Start with a pre-FTL civilization of the same species in the home system +10% Anomaly Discovery Chance +20% Anomaly Research Speed −1 Research Alternatives −1 Leader Pool Size Unique interactions with the pre-FTL civilization Can get the The Fear of the Dark mid-game event chain	−800 Starting pops Cannot change the starting system except for a special version of Sol	Inward Perfection Fanatic Purifiers Eager Explorers Eager Explorers Privatized Exploration Sovereign Guardianship Sovereign Guardianship Corporate Protectorate Biological shipset			5
Under One Rule	Species has the Perfected Genes trait Ruler has the Luminary trait Can select unique ruler traits: Ruler has skill level 4 and a councilor veteran class Choose between 3 planet modifiers when colonizing the first world Cannot change authority In 6-30 months start the The Unifying Promise situation In 40 years can change authority to Imperial: Imperial authority: Grants a positive trait Starts the Dissidents on the Rise situation in 5-15 years Dictatorial authority: Grants a positive trait in 10-20 years Grants a negative trait in 20-30 years	None	Dictatorial authority			5 (once)
Riftworld	+25% Astral Rift Exploration Speed −50% Astral Rift Fail Probability +100% Chance for Astral Rifts to appear in owned systems Start with the Astral Harvesting technology researched Start with the Ruined Planet astral rift	Start with the Ancient Crater archaeological site Can only use trinary starting systems and Sol				2 (once)
Storm Chasers	Leaders have the Storm Rider trait Start with the Stormfall situation Start with the Cosmic Weather Models technology researched Start with a special project to gain the Storm Manipulation technology Cosmic Storm buildings do not require strategic resources +5% Unity from Jobs per Storm Building on planet +100% Cosmic Storm Appearance Chance Within Borders +175% Cosmic Storm Technology Option Research Chance −33% Cosmic Storm Devastation Can get the Storm Frenzy mid-game event chain	Start with the Extreme Weather homeworld modifier	Genocidal			1 (once)
Primal Calling	+15% Damage to Space Fauna +15% Space Fauna Armor +10% Space Fauna Sublight Speed −25% Gravity Snare Cooldown +15% Fauna Capture Chance +25% Vivarium Max Capacity Can construct Wildlife Ranch buildings if not Warrior Culture Can construct Primal Arena buildings if Warrior Culture Start with the Genome Mapping technology researched Xenology technology as a permanent research option Controlled Mutations becomes a permanent research option after cloning space fauna Gravity Snares becomes a permanent research option after first contact with space fauna Can choose a stance a month after completing a first contact with space fauna: Stance Effects Wrangler Unlocks the Space Fauna Exhibition edict Uses Wrangler jobs if not Warrior Culture +0.4% Trade Value per used Vivarium Capacity +0.2% Specimens Output per used Vivarium Capacity Rancher Uses Rancher jobs if not Warrior Culture Unlocks the Beasts of Burden edict +0.1% Research Speed per used Vivarium Capacity +0.3% Wranglers Output per used Vivarium Capacity Animal Handler Uses Animal Handler jobs if not Warrior Culture Unlocks the Creature Welfare edict Wildlife Ranch building replaced by Wildlife Sanctuary +1 Opinion with non-fallen empires per used Vivarium Capacity +50% Diplomatic Weight from space fauna Trophy Hunter Uses Trophy Hunter jobs if not Warrior Culture Unlocks the Crack the Whip edict Wildlife Ranch building replaced by Hunting Grounds Killed space fauna are culled +25 Unity when killing space fauna Wild Consciousness (if ) Uses Wrangler Drone jobs Unlocks the Exotic Neural Network edict +1.5 Naval Capacity per used Vivarium Capacity +0.2 Amenities per used Vivarium Capacity +0.2% Research Speed per used Vivarium Capacity Symbiotic Partnership (if ) Uses Symbiosis Integrator jobs Unlocks the Self-Preservation Instincts edict Wildlife Ranch building replaced by Symbiosis Module +1 Opinion with non-fallen empires per used Vivarium Capacity +50% Diplomatic Weight from space fauna Hunter-Killers Uses Hunter Drone jobs Unlocks the Biological Overdrive edict Wildlife Ranch building replaced by Hunting Grounds Killed space fauna are culled +25 Unity when killing space fauna After first contact with 3 space fauna, issue a special project to gain a specimen After first contact with all space fauna, gain a specimen After first contact with all space fauna, gain a Renowned Paragon if Can get the Frenzied Voidworms mid-game situation	Start with the Untamed Wilds homeworld modifier Starbase starts with a Vivarium Tank module instead of the default secondary module Starbase starts with a Voidlure building instead of the default buildings				0
Treasure Hunters	Leaders have the Adventurous Spirit III trait Can select unique ruler traits: Buccaneer Trailblazer Treasure Hoarder Start with the Mysterious Orbital Capsule relic Start with a special project that costs 500 Physics Research and gives the following: Mysterious Orbital Capsule relic is upgraded to Celestial Chart Hyperlane Breach Points technology as a permanent research option 6x unity output (100~100 000) +25% Sublight Speed for 2 years Reveals the first Treasure Hunters unique system Finishing a Grand Archive grants the following rewards: 12x unity output (150~100 000) (doesn't stack with similar sources) +10% Anomaly Discovery Chance for 3 years +10% Archaeology Excavation Speed for 3 years +10% Astral Rift Exploration Speed for 3 years Celestial Chart relic discovers treasure troves twice faster Restricted story options if Barbaric Despoilers Restricted story options if Letters of Marque		Genocidal			1 (once)
Starlit Citadel	+1 Megastructure Build Capacity +1 Deep Space Citadel System Capacity Start with a wormhole leading to the Abandoned Hatchery Start with the Deep Space Citadel technology Start with a Deep Space Citadel next to the wormhole In 1-2 years a hostile fleet of 6 Maulers and 2 Weavers will attack through the wormhole Defeating the attacking fleet starts a special project to unlock Wormhole Stabilization Can salvage Specialized Combat Computers, Plasma Throwers and Autocannons from the fleet	Start with a Citadel Uplink building Start with a Biological Ship Remains blockers Start with 2 Invasion Site blockers	Biological shipset			1

Ascension origins

Ascension origins lock the empire into an ascension path. They prevent the empire from taking ascension perks that unlock ascension paths, but the origins themselves unlock one of the ascension paths. Ascension origins are not available to empires with a Machine founder species.

Origin	Empire effects	Homeworld effects	Requirements	Spawn weight	DLC
Teachers of the Shroud	Species has the Latent Psionic trait Unlocks the Mind over Matter agenda 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 Can take the Psionics tradition tree	None	Spiritualist Fanatic Purifiers Natural Design Augmentation Bazaars	5 (once)
Cybernetic Creed	Spiritualist pops gain the Ritualistic Implants trait Unlocks the The Flesh is Weak agenda Priest jobs are replaced by Haruspex jobs High Priest jobs are replaced by Technophant jobs Integrated Cybernetics technology starts as a permanent research option Can take the Cybernetics tradition tree Opinion penalty with Cybernetic empires is reversed Cyberization situation is replaced by The Conclave of Fusion Cybernetic Creed factions will form shortly after game start For the first few years, gain events to influence faction approval and gain empire modifiers Cannot have Traditionalist factions Cannot have regular factions until stage 2 of the The Conclave of Fusion situation	Start with a Amphitheater of the Mind building Start with a Battlements of Steel building Start with a Forge of the Fellowship building Start with a Sanctuary of Toil building	Spiritualist Egalitarian Natural Design Permanent Employment	5 (once)
Synthetic Fertility	Species has the Pathogenic Genes trait Unlocks the Synthetic Evolution agenda Start with the Rapid Identity Preservation situation Start with the Administrative AI technology researched Start with the Self-Evolving Logic technology researched Start with the Positronic AI technology researched Next mechanical pop technology is always available for research Can take the Synthetics tradition tree Synthetization situation skips the first 2 stages Completing Synthetization situation grants the Synthetic Salvation trait Completing Synthetization situation grants the Synthetic Dawn empire modifier If founder species dies, leaders will gain the Robotic Surrogate trait	+900 Starting pops +2 Starting districts Homeworld is always size 20 Start with an Identity Repository building Start with an Abandoned Gene Clinic building Start with 2 Abandoned Cities blockers Researching Artificial Workforce triggers the following effects: Abandoned Gene Clinic is replaced with Robot Assembly Plants Gain 3 Mechanical pops During Synthetization, choose between Identity Repository or additional pops	Spiritualist Gestalt Consciousness Natural Design Reanimators Reanimators Permanent Employment Eager Explorers Eager Explorers Privatized Exploration Mutagenic Spas Mutagenic Spas Mutagenic Luxury Augmentation Bazaars	5 (once)
Evolutionary Predators	Species has the Malleable Genes trait Start with the Adaptive Evolution situation +1 Organic species trait picks Unlocks the Procure DNA espionage operation Unlocks the DNA Tithe terms of agreement Biological ascension only allows the Mutation path	Start with the Genetic Soup homeworld modifier	Idyllic Bloom Idyllic Bloom Mycorrhizal Ideal Natural Design Natural Design Innate Design Permanent Employment Augmentation Bazaars Bodysnatcher	1

Species restricted origins

The following origins are only available for certain species classes.

Origin	Empire effects	Homeworld effects	Requirements	Spawn weight	DLC
Fruitful Partnership	Can construct Starseed Garden starbase buildings Can construct Orbital Garden orbital ring buildings Can use the Seed Bombing orbital bombardment stance Enables Open Seed Pods special projects A neighbor system will contain Tiyanki Space Whales No first contact with Tiyanki Space Whales In 5-10 years can gain a special project to unlock the Frequency Tuning technology	None	Plantoid or Fungoid species Either: Pacifist Xenophile Hive Mind Devouring Swarm	5
Calamitous Birth	Can build Meteorite Colony Ships Can construct Experimental Crater holdings	Start with a Massive Crater planetary feature	Lithoid species Catalytic Processing Catalytic Processing Catalytic Recyclers Organic Reprocessing Genesis Guides Genesis Guides Astrogenesis Technologies Genesis Symbiotes Planetscapers Planetscapers Geo-Engineering Inc. Cultivation Drones Biological shipset	5 (once)
Arc Welders	Start with an Arc Furnace: Equatorial Band Start with the Arc Furnace technology researched +1 Megastructure Build Capacity +1 Arc Furnace Capacity Constructing a second Arc Furnace unlocks the Mega-Engineering technology for research Gain a small amount of Unity when constructing a second Arc Furnace Gain a large amount of Engineering Research when constructing a second Arc Furnace	−300 Starting pops Homeworld is always size 15 Mining Districts are replaced by Generator Districts	Machine species	2 (once)

Gestalt Consciousness origins

The following origins are only available to Gestalt Consciousness empires.

Origin	Empire effects	Homeworld effects	Requirements	Spawn weight	DLC
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% Planet build speed −25% Resources from jobs +10% Upkeep from jobs −5 Stability	Start with a Tree of Life planetary feature	Hive Mind Devouring Swarm Terravore	5 (once)
Progenitor Hive	Leaders gain experience each month Can construct Offspring Nest buildings Can construct Offspring Nest holdings Cannot construct Spawning Pools buildings −50% Menial drone output on worlds without an Offspring Drone Can release sectors as subjects unless Devouring Swarm or Terravore Can construct Offspring Outlook starbase buildings Can design and build Offspring ships Starting fleet has an offspring corvette Fleets and starbases without an offspring ship in system have the following penalties: −50% Accuracy −50% Evasion −50% Ship fire rate −50% Sublight speed	Start with an Offspring Nest building Start with a Progenitor Nest planetary feature If the home planet is conquered or destroyed gain the following empire-wide penalties: −10% Menial drone output −30% Sublight speed −10 Stability Enables the Grow a New Progenitor decision	Hive Mind Wild Swarm	2
Resource Consolidation	Capital star has a deposit of 10 Energy Other home system planets are broken or molten worlds with no resource deposits Cyborg species has Machine World preference if Driven Assimilator	Homeworld is a Machine World Start with a Consolidated Resources planetary feature Start with an Organic Slurry planetary feature if Driven Assimilator	Machine Intelligence Rogue Servitor Organic Retrofitting Astro-Mining Drones Genesis Architects Gardening Protocols	2 (once)
Wilderness	+5 Planetary build queue capacity Hive Mind authority is replaced by Mutualistic Intelligence Species has the Wilderness trait Uses biomass instead of pops Uses a different set of districts and buildings Uses a different set of names for designations Colonization and terraforming are combined into one mechanic Can construct Wilderness Glade holdings Regular offensive armies are replaced with Presapient Horde Enables the Expand Planet Size decision Biological ascension only allows the Purity path Prepare Sleeper Cells espionage operation is replaced by Embed Planetary Roots Can take the World Shaper ascension perk Cannot take any Player Crisis ascension perk Cannot take the Galactic Nemesis ascension perk Cannot take the Cosmogenesis ascension perk Cannot take the Behemoth Fury ascension perk	Homeworld is always size 18 Start with 2 Scorched Plains blockers System uses a unique appearance for a year	Hive Mind Biological shipset Organic Reprocessing Memorialist Permutation Pools Genesis Symbiotes Climate Modeling Cultivation Drones	5

Unselectable origins

The following origins are not available when creating an empire. However, most of them are playable by changing empires via loading in multiplayer or after a game-over or Cosmogenesis victory.

Origin	Effects	Source	Description	DLC
Elder Race	+1000 Naval Capacity	Fallen empire	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.
Developing Civilization	Replaced with Enlightened if the civilization is enlightened	Pre-FTL civilization without a regular origin	This civilization has yet to become spacefaring, however with a little encouragement or a great deal of time they may yet become an actor on the galactic stage.
Enlightened	+10% Research Speed +0.5 Monthly Loyalty Change Can always be a Specialized Subject	Enlightened pre-FTL civilization with Developing Civilization origin	The natural development of this civilization was greatly accelerated by the interference of another party, who helped them become a spacefaring culture.
Separatists	+10 Stability +25% Governing Ethics Attraction +20% Ship Build Speed	Revolt or Machine Uprising empire	This civilization came into being when it rebelled and seceded from another empire.
Liberated	+10 Stability +25% Governing Ethics Attraction +20% Ship Build Speed	Empire created by Status Quo from wars with the Ideology casus belli Empire created by Status Quo from wars with a Subjugation casus belli	This civilization came into being after being liberated from another empire.
Khanate Successor	+2 Commander Starting Skill Level Can use the Raiding orbital bombardment stance	Horde successor empire	This civilization arose out of the ashes of the Great Khan's mighty empire.
Hegemon Subordinate	Start as part of a Hegemony federation	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	Start as an advanced empire Homeworld is a size 30 Gaia World Start with a Gateway in the capital system Start with 2-5 subjects	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.
Daemonic Incursion	+100% Naval Capacity −50% Ship Upkeep	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.
Your Ladder To The Sky	Start as an advanced empire Start with pops from 3-22 pre-FTL species Homeworld is a size 25 Relic World Can use the Raiding orbital bombardment stance +50 Naval Capacity Start with additional technologies Neural Implants Genetic Healthcare Food Processing Mineral Purification Global Energy Management	Minamar Specialized Industries unique empire	From the moment the Board of Directors at Minamar Specialized Industries first delivered our civilization to the stars, we have understood that the galaxy was too beautiful not to be shared. Since then, we have worked tirelessly to help less developed civilizations achieve FTL travel. Enlightenment may not be free. But at MSI, it is always worth the cost.
Broken Rule	None	Rebel empire generated during the Under One Rule origin	Amidst political turmoil, and without the Luminary's guidance, the people must make their own way in the galaxy.

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Game concepts