• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

Stellaris Dev Diary #144 - Megastructures, Habitats and Minor Artifacts

Hello everyone!

First of all, I’d like to follow up on last week’s dev diary by sharing some more things we’re trying out with Megastructures (and habitats!).

After all of that, we also have something new to talk about!

Let’s start from the beginning – which of course leads us to the Mega-Engineering technology itself.

As always, numbers may not be final and temporary things may be sighted.

Mega-Engineering
Mega-Engineering is still a rare technology, but will now be more likely to appear as you build more Habitats and Citadels. This means it is way more likely to appear if you are performing actions in the game that would lead you towards the route of building larger and more powerful structures.

Master Builders
The Master Builders ascension perk no longer unlocks mega-engineering or adds size to habitats, but instead increases the number of megastructures you can simultaneously build by +1. What about increased habitat size you ask? Well, keep on reading!

upload_2019-4-18_11-41-43.png

Habitats & Voidborne
Habitats are no longer locked behind the Voidborne ascension perk but is rather a technology that branches off from the Star Fortress technology. Habitats now have a default of 80% habitability. We’re also experimenting with that some of the habitat’s districts will depend on which planet they are built over. In case you build one above a planet with mining deposits, this could happen:

upload_2019-4-18_12-11-1.png

upload_2019-4-18_11-42-33.png

Voidborne ascension perk now increases habitat size by +2 and increases Habitat habitability by 20%. This should mean it becomes more of a choice for specialization, rather than feeling it is a non-choice.

As a final note on habitats, it might be worthwhile to reiterate my thoughts that I eventually want to add different levels/sizes to habitats. It is however not something for the immediate future, but a little further down the road.

Ring Worlds
We didn’t quite like how Ring Worlds ended up feeling like a vast farm, so we’re making some changes. Instead of being a size 50 with regular districts, we’re changing it to a size 5 with a unique type of districts – segments. A Ring World, as you know, has 4 planets. Each planet can now build 5 segments, which are very powerful districts with many jobs and a lot of housing.

upload_2019-4-18_11-48-37.png

Minor Artifacts
upload_2019-4-18_11-46-59.png

Some of you might recognize the icon for what was supposed to become arcane technology, that partially got into 2.2. It was something that I was personally working on, but that didn’t work out as I had imagined it, and that I didn’t get enough time to finish with other things taking priority.

In the next upcoming DLC, you will be able to come across Minor Artifacts. “Minor Artifacts” is a broad term that includes any smaller and nameless artifact left behind by ancient civilizations. They are never gained passively every month, but will rather have to be found.

What are they used for, I imagine you asking? Well, the basic functionality is that they can be consumed in so-called artifact actions. There are a bunch of different actions that can be performed by consuming Minor Artifacts, with varying effects for each.

Some of these actions will be locked behind a technology, which some may also recognize.

upload_2019-4-18_11-45-27.png

Arcane Deciphering allows you to consume Minor Artifacts for a random technology-related bonus.

upload_2019-4-18_11-45-47.png

------------

That’s it for this week! Happy Easter everyone! Next week we’ll be back again :)

P.S. Attaching an Easter present

upload_2019-4-18_11-49-27.png upload_2019-4-18_11-49-45.png
 
Last edited:
  • 1Like
Reactions:
Correct me if I am wrong, but with ringworlds, they seem to basically provide the same result, but cost less minerals? Before, for example, a 50 district ringworld could provide 100 farmer jobs. In the upcoming update, a 5 district/segment ringworld provides 100 farmer jobs because the farming segment provides 20 jobs instead of the usual 2. If I haven't missed something, my question would be: why?
Except for Hive Minds. For Hive Minds a ringworld can provide 150 farmer(agri-drone) jobs. I hope those segments respect that too.
 
Given "Megastructures don't feel mega enough, a farming world can be used to earn more energy than a Dyson Sphere wtf" is a pretty common sentiment around here...

You may be in the minority.
If everyone was a god then we wouldn't be worshiping them.

When I get stage 1 of my matter decompressor, the game is over. Then again, Paradox had that Stellaris Youtuber Battle thing where the "experts" filled their first tradition path in the year 2300.
 
If you're that good at the game, does it really matter at that point?
Because I want a challenge. I want to have an empire in the year 2600 that is in a constant war with other empires that allows neither to take more than a few systems as the galactic politics are within a stalemate.

Not...
  • Turtle until 2350
  • Rush dyson sphere or matter decompressor
  • Build cityworlds with a bunch of forges
  • Win game
 
Because I want a challenge. I want to have an empire in the year 2600 that is in a constant war with other empires that allows neither to take more than a few systems as the galactic politics are within a stalemate.

Not...
  • Turtle until 2350
  • Rush dyson sphere or matter decompressor
  • Build cityworlds with a bunch of forges
  • Win game
So your argument is that no matter HOW good you are at the game, no matter how good you are at seeing the optimal strats, you should always have a challenge? Even far beyond what the 'recommended' play time for the game is? (2600 seriously?)

Congratulations. You win Stellaris. You're better at it then anyone can ever make it to challenge you. Rather than complaining about it, pat yourself on the back and move on.
 
So your argument is that no matter HOW good you are at the game, no matter how good you are at seeing the optimal strats, you should always have a challenge?
Why play a game if it doesn't offer a challenge? excluding Liru - Wolf Girl With You
 
Because I want a challenge. I want to have an empire in the year 2600 that is in a constant war with other empires that allows neither to take more than a few systems as the galactic politics are within a stalemate.

Not...
  • Turtle until 2350
  • Rush dyson sphere or matter decompressor
  • Build cityworlds with a bunch of forges
  • Win game
Hey, I do to. But I don't think buffing megastructures will hurt that in the end. With some good AI reworks, and balance passes for these big ticket items, we could have both.
 
Regarding Habitats and Voidborne, I think the new direction Habitats are taking looks really cool! However, Voidborne seems...a little dull? For me, part of the fantasy of the perk is to become something akin to Marauders or Enclaves, a civilization living in the void of space. Extra districts is a step there, but it doesn't feel like it's all the way done. What about adding housing to all habitat districts, a la Agrarian Idyll? I'd like something even more radical than that, to be honest.

Another option could be to turn Voidborne into a civic, starting on a habitat with special buildings (to provide you with resources in a similar way to the special districts on life-seeded gaia worlds.)
 
Why play a game if it doesn't offer a challenge? excluding Liru - Wolf Girl With You
If that's your attitude, then stop playing Stellaris and go play Chess. I gurantee you will always, always have challenge there, no matter HOW high you rise.

Because if what your boasting about is true, then congrats. You won Stellaris. You beat the game. Because seriously dude, you are complaining about being too good at a game and expecting the developers to magically scale up to your - outlier - skill level.

But hey. If it helps, try a Grand Admiral Glavius run with a deliberately-terrible empire against 30 minmaxed Determined Exterminator empires.
 
The big thing is Empire sprawl. Right now, all 200 districts would add 200 points to it, increasing research cost, tradition cost, and leader cost/upkeep. In this, it'd be the same exact thing as we have now (in terms of jobs/housing), but with 20 points of sprawl. Far less points. Plus, you get an automatic 5% output per job it looks like.

Now, on its own, this makes those districts very powerful, but there is an argument for making megastructures buildible earlier so you can really take advantage of this earlier in the game.
Yeah, that makes sense. I forgot that admin cap is based on districts built as opposed to actual pops. I also missed that 5%, and if it stacks, then I can see using ringworlds again.

Still seems kinda weird to me since by the time I would ever have a ringworld cause an admin cap issue, I was already researching the repeatable technology, thus making it a non issue.
 
If you're that good at the game, does it really matter at that point?

As for balancing them more, I posted about giving monthly cost while constructing, and about adding more steps, with smaller outputs in each for the final overall output. If the AI can be taught to make these as well, and these structures given some more balance passes as the devs refine this, it could work out well.

To me the AI seems to fall behind in basic "economic output". If the AI can build mega structures and maybe an arcology project that would go a LONG way to equalizing the mid-to-late game playing field ...

It would at least challenge my "turtle ... build arcology ... win" issue seeing as the AI hasn't been taught how to do that itself :)
 
Last edited:
To me the AI seems to fall behind in basic resources. If it can build mega structures and maybe an arcology project that would go a LONG way to equalizing the mid-to-late game playing field ...
Yep, definitely. But there's some things in between that need to be fixed first. Like just knowing how to specialize (or at least properly balance) their worlds will probably make a great difference.
 
Ring Worlds
We didn’t quite like how Ring Worlds ended up feeling like a vast farm, so we’re making some changes. Instead of being a size 50 with regular districts, we’re changing it to a size 5 with a unique type of districts – segments. A Ring World, as you know, has 4 planets. Each planet can now build 5 segments, which are very powerful districts with many jobs and a lot of housing.

Yay, it's the thing I said!
I now know how it feels to be one of those people who can say "yep, exactly what I suggested".

(I mean, I'm sure it's happened before, and I don't remember, which means I'll also forget about this soon enough.)
 
If that's your attitude, then stop playing Stellaris and go play Chess. I gurantee you will always, always have challenge there, no matter HOW high you rise.

Because if what your boasting about is true, then congrats. You won Stellaris. You beat the game. Because seriously dude, you are complaining about being too good at a game and expecting the developers to magically scale up to your - outlier - skill level.
It's not just about a challenge, you silly billy, it's about gameplay and fun too. You can't just enjoy a game that's challenging, just because it's the most important part of the game.

But hey. If it helps, try a Grand Admiral Glavius run with a deliberately-terrible empire against 30 minmaxed Determined Exterminator empires.
Your level is so below mine that you don't even realize why that is not a good idea because you need to play on a huge galaxy for 30 AI empires and playing larger than medium causes the game to chug by 2350.

Honestly, even if the game didn't chug, 30 minmaxed DE's means there is zero diplomacy and the AI won't war with each other. This would be a very boring, although challenging, game. Though you might be onto something. After I try a Ultimate Difficulty Mod game, I might create a galaxy with 5 Fanatical Purifiers that are the same species and 13 other empires. Maybe that'll give me the challenge I crave.

Or paradox can just make the AI not bonedead stupid to appeal to lesser players.
 
It's not just about a challenge, you silly billy, it's about gameplay and fun too. You can't just enjoy a game that's challenging, just because it's the most important part of the game.
Doesn't matter. Your complaint was "This game is no longer fun for me because it's easy", therefore challenge is the only component.
Your level is so below mine that you don't even realize why that is not a good idea because you need to play on a huge galaxy for 30 AI empires and playing larger than medium causes the game to chug by 2350.
Or maybe just get a better computer. I play on 1000 stars every time with 24 empires, no 2350 chug, silly billy.
Or paradox can just make the AI not bonedead stupid to appeal to lesser players.
I am - okay I'm trying not to insult you because of Paradox's be-nice-to-each-other-rules but you're making it really hard. Do you honestly, truly believe that Paradox is DELIBERATELY dumbing down the AI for the sake of everyone who's not a shining golden god?

No. Don't respond. I'll ignore you now for the sake of my blood pressure.
 
It's not just about a challenge, you silly billy, it's about gameplay and fun too. You can't just enjoy a game that's challenging, just because it's the most important part of the game.


Your level is so below mine that you don't even realize why that is not a good idea because you need to play on a huge galaxy for 30 AI empires and playing larger than medium causes the game to chug by 2350.

Honestly, even if the game didn't chug, 30 minmaxed DE's means there is zero diplomacy and the AI won't war with each other. This would be a very boring, although challenging, game. Though you might be onto something. After I try a Ultimate Difficulty Mod game, I might create a galaxy with 5 Fanatical Purifiers that are the same species and 13 other empires. Maybe that'll give me the challenge I crave.

Or paradox can just make the AI not bonedead stupid to appeal to lesser players.
Ya know, there are plenty of fps, twitch, fast reaction, coordination based, what have you games out there.

You know what happens when someone masters them?
They start doing speed runs.

You know what happens when someone gets the theoretical fastest speed?
They move on.

I am good at this game. I'm actually kind of annoyed that the new economy makes it even easier to beat a 5x grand admiral crisis than the old economy. I thought it might be tougher.

But yah, dude, chillax. It's normal that at some point, a game stops providing you a challenge. Sorry you expected a game that would challenge you forever; that's only really possible with multiplayer, or if you suck. Be happy that this game allows mods so you can inflate your challenge.
 
Your level is so below mine that you don't even realize why that is not a good idea because you need to play on a huge galaxy for 30 AI empires and playing larger than medium causes the game to chug by 2350.

Honestly, even if the game didn't chug, 30 minmaxed DE's means there is zero diplomacy and the AI won't war with each other. This would be a very boring, although challenging, game. Though you might be onto something. After I try a Ultimate Difficulty Mod game, I might create a galaxy with 5 Fanatical Purifiers that are the same species and 13 other empires. Maybe that'll give me the challenge I crave.

Or paradox can just make the AI not bonedead stupid to appeal to lesser players.

If that doesn't say condescendence, I don't know what does.

By no means do I (and others) want a brain dead AI, but making an AI that can keep up, and provide challenge to players like you is almost certainly no easy feat. Sure, it could be done, but an AI like that is out in the future, and would take a lot of time, compared to just getting it decent.

The AI should be able to keep up and provide a challenge to most players. But there's going to be outliers, like you, who won't find it a challenge anyway. And at that point, you may want to stop relying on the same ultimate minmaxing strategies.
 
Last edited:
Some really exciting changes to habitats/ring world!, It seems most are in agreement that the voidborn perk is a bit underwhelming in it's current state. It's be nice to see this swapped/replaced when playing a machine civ though?

Artifacts in the upcoming DLC look interesting!
 
If that's your attitude, then stop playing Stellaris and go play Chess. I gurantee you will always, always have challenge there, no matter HOW high you rise.

Because if what your boasting about is true, then congrats. You won Stellaris. You beat the game. Because seriously dude, you are complaining about being too good at a game and expecting the developers to magically scale up to your - outlier - skill level.

But hey. If it helps, try a Grand Admiral Glavius run with a deliberately-terrible empire against 30 minmaxed Determined Exterminator empires.

Challenge accepted :-D

Oh btw. if habitability should become more punishing the lower it gets, robots need to be adressed. The empire sprawl could be more punishing for them for example. Which would limit them and they might have to think about colonizing every thing in range... at least for a second or two :)
 
Challenge accepted :-D
Good luck. I tried it myself not long ago, without even Glavius AI. It, uh, didn't last long. I pushed my empire as hard and fast as it could, and I was still behind every single one of the Exterminators... and behind the Prikkiki-Ti who OF COURSE got awoken by an Exterminator next to me.

Empires 1-9 were "Resource Murderbot X", one of each Machine portrait, each specced to getting Minerals and Energy.

10-18 were "Science Murderbot X", ones with Logic engines and stuff.

19-27 were "Assembly Murderbot X" where I went in hard on making lots of cheap robots fast.

28 was my already-made custom Exterminator empire.

29 was a replica of the XT-489s.

30 was literal Skynet from Sol.

Edit: Make an AAR about your adventure in hell.
 
Doesn't matter. Your complaint was "This game is no longer fun for me because it's easy", therefore challenge is the only component.
It's the only component currently making it no fun, everything else is fine.

Or maybe just get a better computer. I play on 1000 stars every time with 24 empires, no 2350 chug, silly billy.
Doubt.
I am - okay I'm trying not to insult you because of Paradox's be-nice-to-each-other-rules but you're making it really hard. Do you honestly, truly believe that Paradox is DELIBERATELY dumbing down the AI for the sake of everyone who's not a shining golden god?
The buff to megastructures leads me to believe this.

No. Don't respond. I'll ignore you now for the sake of my blood pressure.
Getting so upset over someone....pointing out how easy a game is?

Uh, wow. Heh.
Ya know, there are plenty of fps, twitch, fast reaction, coordination based, what have you games out there.

You know what happens when someone masters them?
They start doing speed runs.

You know what happens when someone gets the theoretical fastest speed?
They move on.

I am good at this game. I'm actually kind of annoyed that the new economy makes it even easier to beat a 5x grand admiral crisis than the old economy. I thought it might be tougher.

But yah, dude, chillax. It's normal that at some point, a game stops providing you a challenge. Sorry you expected a game that would challenge you forever; that's only really possible with multiplayer, or if you suck. Be happy that this game allows mods so you can inflate your challenge.
I still get a challenge out of Grand Admiral 2.1. AI just cannot handle the economy.

Also, something as simple like not upgrading their ships in peace time is a MAJOR problem.

It's NOT JUST the challenge I like, I like the atmosphere and how a epic story can form from a single game of war, betrayal, and friendship. This has been lost since 2.2.
If that doesn't say condescendence, I don't know what does.

By no means do I (and others) want a brain dead AI, but making an AI that can keep up, and provide challenge to players like you is almost certainly no easy feat. Sure, it could be done, but an AI like that is out in the future, and would take a lot of time, compared to just getting it decent.

The AI should be able to keep up and provide a challenge to most players. But there's going to be outliers, like you, who won't find it a challenge anyway. And at that point, you may want to stop relying on the same ultimate minmaxing strategies.
That's the thing. . . it is a easy feat. Give the AI the intelligence to upgrade their ships and make planets focused on a certain resource instead of them all being jack of all.

Also, as said, 2.1 provided a challenge.