Stellaris Dev Diary #376 - Announcing BioGenesis and Stellaris: Season 09

[Ajacoba]

Plant-like ships for a more benevolent form of bioships definitely would be nice to see and use, even if they had no mechanics attached, but I've already accepted that it's not going to happen.

If anything, I wish the meatships could be a normal shipset even if just optionally. Like have a Devouring Swarm who already is a space swarm from the start instead of having to invest in becoming one later.

If you make it a default ship set without any mechanical implications then you would end up building meat ships out of alloys

Which is most definitely why they never gave us meatships before

Also for all we know it may be like space fauna and you can clear the game without building a single regular (war)ship

 

[OluapPlayer]

If you make it a default ship set without any mechanical implications then you would end up building meat ships out of alloys

Which is most definitely why they never gave us meatships before

Also for all we know it may be like space fauna and you can clear the game without building a single regular (war)ship

That's a fair (and amusing ) point.

 

[Exasperation]

Has anyone else had the thought that for machine/synth empires, ships made from alloys with the meatship mechanics would be warforms?

 

[Ajacoba]

Has anyone else had the thought that for machine/synth empires, ships made from alloys with the meatship mechanics would be warforms?

No, they would just be ships
We already have sentient combat computers and admiral traits about connecting directly with your ships

 

[Exasperation]

No, they would just be ships
We already have sentient combat computers and admiral traits about connecting directly with your ships

No, no, these would be synthetically ascended meatships. Completely different. You're not interfacing directly with your ship, the ship is your body.
Edit- to put it another way, they would be different form normal ships in the way that a sapient robot is different from a human wearing a robot costume.

 

[cryptkeeper]

What are the odds that there will be a new, bio-ascended ratling species in the expansion?
(Ketling = psionic ratlings, Racket = cybernetic ratlings, and there are anomalies/digsites that hint at more ratlings being out there.)

Rat men do not exist.

 

[Falrinn]

When it comes to meat ships, I think it would be fine for thematically appropriate (really just Hive Minds) to start off with them.

They could still cost alloys on the reasoning that these creatures incorporate metals into their biology, though part of their alloy cost would be replaced by food. Then it's just a matter of dialing in the starting alloy/food production so this doesn't give that much of a crucial early game advantage.

My overall thinking is that Hive Minds start with meat ships but unlock the ability to make mechanical ships if they decide to take Cybernetic Ascension. Whereas non-Hive Mind organics start with mechanical ships and unlock the ability to make meat ships through Genetic Ascension. All potentially altered by starting civics or origins of course.

 

[Ajacoba]

When it comes to meat ships, I think it would be fine for thematically appropriate (really just Hive Minds) to start off with them.

They could still cost alloys on the reasoning that these creatures incorporate metals into their biology, though part of their alloy cost would be replaced by food. Then it's just a matter of dialing in the starting alloy/food production so this doesn't give that much of a crucial early game advantage.

My overall thinking is that Hive Minds start with meat ships but unlock the ability to make mechanical ships if they decide to take Cybernetic Ascension. Whereas non-Hive Mind organics start with mechanical ships and unlock the ability to make meat ships through Genetic Ascension. All potentially altered by starting civics or origins of course.

I mean we will know how it works in a few hours

Personally I think it's dumb to link it to ascensions though, especially since your suggestion excludes psykers

And nothing is more thematic than a symbiotic psionic relationship between a crew and their ship - like that one time the hyper sensitive betazoid ran away with a lonely suicidal spaceship

 

[We Who Are About 2 Die]

Metal rusts. Flesh adapts.​

It’s my great pleasure to announce the start of Stellaris: Season 09, with the BioGenesis expansion leading the way alongside the Stellaris 4.0 ‘Phoenix’ update.

The future of evolution is here. BioGenesis continues our remastering of the Ascension Paths by granting you unprecedented power over life itself and hatches May 5th, 2025.

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Evolution had its chance. Now it’s our turn.​

Two Biological Shipsets

Command living fleets that evolve alongside your empire. Customize these genetic marvels for specialized roles, from ferocious Maulers to adaptable support Weavers, each capable of empowering allies and weakening foes.

Three New Origins

• Evolutionary Predators: Push the boundaries of Species Traits by unlocking and combining unique phenotype abilities to craft the ultimate adaptive empire.
• Starlit Citadel: Solve the mystery of your empire’s biological attackers while boosting hyperlane choke-point strategies with early access to the Deep Space Citadel megastructure.
• Wilderness: Begin as a sapient planetary ecosystem, a living gestalt of countless lifeforms united in harmony, seeking to spread its consciousness to the stars.

Overhauled Genetic Ascension

Choose from three Ascension paths (Cloning, Purity, and Mutation) and over 18 enhanced Authorities. Customize your genetic ascension by blending Purity, Cloning, and Mutation traditions into a unique path for your play style.

Hives with a Twist

Encounter a Hive Fallen Empire, a fractured hive mind struggling to awake between its three splintered personalities.

Six New Civics

• Genetic Identification, Crowdsourcing, Familiar Face, Aerospace Adaptation, Shared Genetics, Civil Education

Deep Space Citadel Megastructure

A versatile new defensive station capable of holding off powerful enemy fleets at any system.

Behemoth Fury Crisis Path

The apex predators of the stars are not bound by petty limitations. Cast off the biological weaknesses that hold you back, and become a force of nature.

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The BioGenesis expansion includes:​

• Gestalt Hive Empires (also unlocked by Utopia)
• Two biological Shipsets with distinct mechanics from traditional spacecraft
• Three new Origins
  • Evolutionary Predators
  • Wilderness
  • Starlit Citadel
• Civics
  • Genetic Identification
  • Crowdsourcing
  • Familiar Face
  • Aerospace Adaptation
  • Shared Genetics
  • Civil Education
• Deep Space Citadel Megastructure
• Biological Ascension (also unlocked by Utopia)
  • Expanded with BioGenesis to include a mutable tradition tree that reflects your path through Ascension
• Exploration of the effects of Biological Ascension on society
• Advanced Government Forms
• 16 new genetic Species Traits, including phenotype based traits
• Portraits that change based on pop strata and leader level
• The Splintered Hive Fallen Empire
• Two Diplomatic Rooms and City Sets
• 7 music tracks
• And a new Player Crisis Path - Behemoth Fury

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Planned Dev Diary Schedule​

March 27​	Biological Ships and Mechanics​
April 3​	Ascension, Traditions, Advanced Governments​
April 10​	Phenotype Traits, Evolutionary Predators Origin​
April 17​	Deep Space Citadel, Starlit Citadel Origin​
April 24​	Hive Fallen Empire, Wilderness Origin​
May 1​	Civics, Behemoth Fury, Preliminary Release Notes​
May 5​	BioGenesis Release Date​

Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass​

The Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass is your gateway to an entire year of cosmic evolution, psionic mysteries, and apocalyptic infernos. With instant access to the exclusive Stargazer Species Portrait, this expansion pass delivers three major content packs that will redefine the Biological and Psionic Ascensions and the most ambitious species pack so far!

Purchasing the Expansion Pass grants access to all four DLCs as soon as they become available.

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Stargazer Species Portrait (Instant Unlock)​

Dream of the stars with this exclusive portrait, available immediately upon purchasing Stellaris: Season 09. Featuring three variations and unique animations, the Stargazer Species Portrait is perfect for players who seek to embody the spirit of cosmic curiosity.

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BioGenesis (Releases May 5, 2025 - $24.99)​

Take command of the forces of life itself in Stellaris: BioGenesis. Engineer living ships and wield advanced genetic tools to shape the destiny of your empire. Will you create a utopia of adaptation and growth or weaponize biology to dominate the stars?

• Overhauled Genetic Ascension: Choose from three distinct paths—Cloning, Purity, and Mutation—and customize your evolution.
• Living Ships: Command biological starships that evolve alongside your empire.
• Player Crisis Path: Unleash the unstoppable Behemoth Fury on the galaxy.
• Three New Origins: Play as evolutionary predators, a sapient planetary ecosystem, or a fortress civilization.
• New Megastructure: Construct the Deep Space Citadel to control hyperlane choke points.

View attachment 1268309

Shadows of the Shroud (Releases Q3 2025 - $19.99)​

The psionic plane holds untold power—but at what cost? Shadows of the Shroud is a complete overhaul of the Psionic Ascension path, introducing new moral dilemmas, Patron allegiances, and a whole new way of interacting with the mysteries of the Shroud.

• Breach into the Shroud: Shape your empire’s spiritual destiny with a revamped Shroud system.
• Shroud Panel: Track your empire’s attunement and unlock new powers.
• Revamped End of the Cycle: The ultimate deal with the devil—can you delay the inevitable?
• Psionic Auras: Let your Shroud influence shape entire star systems.
• New Content: Origins, civics, ships, government types, and more!

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Infernals Species Pack (Releases Q4 2025 - $12.99)​

Forge your destiny in the Stellaris: Infernals Species Pack - our most ambitious Species Pack ever. Adapted to relentless heat and volatile landscapes, you wield the power of extreme environments to reshape the galaxy. Will your empire thrive in the heat, or be consumed by the very forces it seeks to command?

• Player Crisis Path: Burn the galaxy to ashes as your empire thrives in destruction.
• New Origins: Unearth ancient kin or endure the scorching wrath of a dying sun in two new Origins.
• Volcanic Worlds: A new planetary class with unique districts, events, and archaeological sites.
• New Species & Customization: Ships, portraits, civics, and more!

The Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass is now available for purchase for $44.99 or regional equivalent, a 20% discount over purchasing the contents individually.​

What’s Next?​

This Thursday we’ll flesh out the bio-ships!

See you then!

MEAT SHIPS! MEAT SHIPS! MEAT SHIPS!​

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BioGenesis is now available for pre-purchase for $24.99 or regional equivalent,
or with a 20% discount as part of the Stellaris: Season 09 Expansion Pass, which is available now for $44.99 or regional equivalent.​

Does this mean Clone Army Origin is going to get some love? It never made sense to me why Ascended could not take Genetic Ascension or edit their traits (being that in lore they have "perfected" their gene code).

 

[tappi]

Does this mean Clone Army Origin is going to get some love? It never made sense to me why Ascended could not take Genetic Ascension or edit their traits (being that in lore they have "perfected" their gene code).

They did mention in the stream that clone army will have something. Didn't go into any detail though.

 

[Newbee53]

Does this mean Clone Army Origin is going to get some love? It never made sense to me why Ascended could not take Genetic Ascension or edit their traits (being that in lore they have "perfected" their gene code).

In the stream they said their would be interactions between that origin and the clone type bio-ascension. they didn't say what that would be.

 

[Entomon]

Espionage could use some work

 

[Sian]

Espionage could use some work

Water is wet...

The Devs have mentioned (several times) previously that espionage is an area that they (... more probably, the curators) would love to give a second pass, trying to make it a lot better, but it's not on top of the agenda before at least the various kinks of economy and (probably) warfare have been touched upon