Technology in Stellaris is divided into 3 research areas with each area corresponding with one of the research resources: Engineering,
The user interaction aspect utilizes a card shuffle approach rather than a traditional tech tree presentation, thereby introducing an element of semi-randomness into the system.
Research areas & fields
There are three different main research areas in-game, with each area corresponding with one of the research resources. Additionally, each research area has multiple subcategories, for a total of 12 such subcategories, and every tech belongs to one of these subcategories.
The areas and their subcategories are as follows:
-
生物学 : Food production, leader lifespan and policies, species modification, army types, some strategic resources. -
军事理论 : Fleet command limit, naval capacity, army buildings and statistics, claim cost. -
新世界理论 : Tile blocker clearance, terraforming, starbase capacity, administrative capacity. -
治国术 : Unity, edicts, leader pool and recruitment, planetary and empire capitals. -
灵能理论 : Exotic mid- to late- game technologies. Unlocked through the灵能理论 technology.
-
The card system
Although the underlying technology system is based on the familiar tech tree structure, it does away with its standard interaction/presentation in favor of the card shuffle approach. This injects a semi-random element into research, making it somewhat less predictable as well as more non-linear.
Whenever the player is prompted to initiate a research project, the game gives them a "hand of cards" consisting of a semi-random selection of technologies available for research which are picked randomly from a hidden "deck of cards" consisting of all valid research options that can appear.
Technologies are divided into 6 levels (T0 to T5) of advancement. Higher tier technologies require obtaining a certain number of technologies from the preceding tier in the same area of research (set at 6 for all tiers[1]) before they become available as research alternatives.
Every time the player meets the requirements for a given technology to become obtainable, the technology in question is added into the main "card deck" and will then have a chance of appearing in the "card hand" whenever the game draws a new hand for the player to pick from. There are one basic parameter affecting a tech's chances of appearing in a given card hand:
- Weight – A base value denoting the relative chance (out of all the valid options) of a particular technology to be drawn as an alternative. This may be further modified by an empire's composition (ethics, civics, etc.) and its current state (scientist's traits, past tech, etc.).
To further increase variation, a tech which appeared as an alternative in the previous card hand will have its weight set to 0 in the next prompt.
As a rule of thumb, the more advanced a technology is, the lower its weight (and the higher its cost). Systematically important techs (e.g. terraforming) have a higher weight (typically between 150% and double normal) to help ensure empires get a chance to research them, whereas rare technologies have significantly lower weight (typically one-eighth normal without the matching expertise). Some factors increase the weight of rare techs:
- Being in a level 3 or higher Research Cooperative federation with another member who knows the tech doubles the weight.
- The Technological Ascendancy ascension perk increases the weight of rare technologies by 50%.
Example
Let's assume the game draws a card hand of 3 techs: Armored Torpedoes, Autocannons, and
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{Total weight} = \text{Armored Torpedoes weight}\, \cdot\, \text{expertise bonus} +\, \text{Autocannons weight}\, +\, \text{Exotic Gas Refining weight} }[/math]
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{Total weight} = 75 \cdot 1.25\, +\, \frac{75}{2}\, +\, 170 = 93.75 +\, 37.5 +\, 170 = 301.25 }[/math]
If these were the only three valid techs and only one tech were to be drawn, then each tech's chances of being drawn would be 29.1%, 12.5%, and 56.4% respectively (rounded to 1 decimal place). Realistically there are usually many more valid picks and so the probability of picking any given tech is significantly lower than the figures given here.
Research alternatives
Each card hand drawn will contain 3 research alternatives, which may be further increased by 1 for each of the following:
- Scientific Revolution unity ambition
- Self-Evolving Logic technology
- Science Division / Mindlink / Research Path Optimization discovery tradition
-
天然神经网络 civic -
静态研究分析 civic -
研究合作组织 level 2
Additionally, some research cards may be gained as permanent alternatives. They appear below the regular alternatives and are distinguished from them by a golden border surrounding the tech card's bezel. These alternatives are usually acquired (along with some partial progress) through post-battle debris analysis, from special projects or event chains. These options will always appear as available options when drawing a new card hand and will remain as such until completed.
If need be, it is possible to change an on-going research project at any point – without incurring penalties – in order to continue researching it at a later time. It is important to note, however, that the saved progress does not scale with changes occurring to technology costs (for better or for worse). This tends to lead to the tech's completion percentage getting lower as the empire continues to further exceed its administrative capacity.
As opposed to a permanent alternative, there is no guarantee that the technology in question will appear in the next card hand drawn.
Research output
Each research area employs the use of a different research resource.
Each of these individual resources has a base production of [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] research points a month. This can be further increased by pops working the appropriate Jobs or research stations on the galactic map.
The research production may then be modified by the following:
Additionally, each of the resources may also have the following modifiers affecting them (these apply only to a single resource rather than to all of them):
Population | Governance | Planet | Technology | |
---|---|---|---|---|
+20% | — | — | — | |
+15% | — | — | — | |
–30% | — |
|
— | — |
Population | Governance | Planet | Technology | |
---|---|---|---|---|
+20% | — | — | ||
+15% | |
— | — | — |
+10% | — |
|
— | — |
+5% | — | — | — |
Stored research
Research output which is not being used for research at the time is being accumulated as stored research. Alternatively, it may also include research resources gained from other avenues such as debris analysis, anomalies, events, and etc.
This method allows for a more "relaxed" research by eliminating the loss of research points due to forgetting to pick a research project while, at the same time, also simulating accelerated periods of research (as opposed to sudden "jumps") caused by newfound knowledge sources. The current storage levels can be seen by hovering over the appropriate resources.
The expenditure rate of stored research can be expressed as follows:
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{Stored research expenditure length} = \frac{\text{Research resource stored} }{ \text{Research resource produced}} }[/math]
- Example
An empire produces [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] Engineering research a month and has just finished debris analysis granting it [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] Engineering research (stored research).
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{Stored research expenditure length} = \frac{\text{1000}}{ \text{24}} =\, \text{41.67 months} }[/math]
The empire will supplement its Engineering research by an additional [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] research points for the first 41 months and by another [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] research points in the following month, after which the Engineering stored research bank will completely deplete.
Research speed
Research speed represents a given expertise in a particular research area or field leading to shortened research time of related technologies.
Research speed boosts the perceived research production in the following manner:
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{Perceived research production} = \text{Research resource produced}\, \cdot\, \sum\text{Research speed modifiers} }[/math]
The most immediate sources of research speed modifiers are the 3 lead scientists. As the applied bonus depends on a scientist's skill level and overall traits, it is recommended to assign newly recruited scientists to command a science ship. Scientists on exploration duty tend to gain experience faster and, if one is in luck, they may also gain a new trait beneficial to research while leveling up.
- Example
An empire is a
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{Perceived research production} = 24\, \cdot\, (1\, +\, 0.05\, +\, 0.15)\, = 28.8 }[/math]
Note: A research area without an acting lead scientist receives a penalty to research speed.
Research Speed can be affected by the following:
Source | Research Speed |
---|---|
Scientific Revolution edict | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Nanite Actuators edict | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Scientific Leap agenda | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Discovery tradition tree finish | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Technological Ascendancy ascension perk | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
|
[模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
|
[模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
|
[模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
正电子人工智能 Positronic AI |
[模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
|
[模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Miniature Galaxy relic | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
|
[模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Science Nexus megastructure (stage I) | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Science Nexus megastructure (stage II) | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Science Nexus megastructure (completed) | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
The Singularity Processor empire modifier | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
The Mirror of Knowledge empire modifier | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Curator Insight empire modifier | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Covenant: Whispers of the Void empire modifier | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Spurred by the Past empire modifier | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Full Circle empire modifier | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Cover Around, Goes Around empire modifier | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Minor Research Sanctions resolution | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Moderate Research Sanctions resolution | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Major Research Sanctions resolution | [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] |
Technology cost
As a game progresses, research option choices will begin to include progressively more advanced and correspondingly more expensive technologies.
Each technology has a base cost that applies as long as an empire does not exceed its Administrative Capacity. Once that happens, the research cost will be increased by [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] for each point of exceeded Administrative Capacity. This can be fixed by employing more bureaucrats.
Research progress
In general, research time can be summarized as the following formula:
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{Research time} = \sum\frac{\text{Research cost} -\, \text{Partial research done} }{ \text{Monthly research progress} } }[/math]
Research progress is one of the key elements affecting the time it takes to discover new technologies. It is formulated as follows:
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{Monthly research progress} = \text{Research resource produced}\, \cdot\, \sum\text{Research speed modifiers}\, +\, \text{min}[\text{Research resource stored},\text{Research resource produced}] }[/math]
While it is possible for the monthly research progress to remain constant during the course of researching a certain technology, it is more than likely to fluctuate – for better or for worse – due to consequences of various actions (such as exploration, empire development, expansion, etc.). This, in turn, may increase or decrease the total research time of a given tech.
Example
The empire from the previous examples (same setup) has just finished debris analysis granting it [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] research progress in Armored Torpedoes along with [模板https://www.parawikis.com/wiki/Template:Color?action=raw读取失败:HTTP 502] Engineering research (stored research).
This setup will generate the following monthly research progress:
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{Monthly research progress} = 24\, \cdot\, (1\, +\, 0.05\, +\, 0.15)\, +\, \text{min}[1000, 24] = 52.8 }[/math]
Assuming no further changes will impact the above setup, the total research time of the tech would be:
[math]\displaystyle{ \text{Research time} = \frac{1862\, -\, 1862 \cdot\, 0.1 }{ 52.8 } = \text{31.74 months} }[/math]
Note: Partial research can refer to debris analysis, previous research, event rewards and etc.
References
- ↑ See Stellaris/common/technology/tier/00_tier.txt for details.
治理 | 帝国 • 思潮 • 政府 • 国民理念 • 政策 • 法令 • 领袖 • 派系 • 人口 • 物种权利 • 经济 • 科技 • 传统 • 犯罪率 |
探索 | 探索 • 地图 • 物种 • 异常现象 • 事件 • FTL • 失落帝国 • 前超光速物种 • 先驱者 • 太空生命体 |
殖民 | 殖民 • 天体 • 行星特征 • 行星管理 • 区划 • 建筑 • 舰船 • 恒星基地 • 巨型结构 |
外交 | 外交 • 贸易 • 附属国 • 联邦 • 星海共同体 • AI 性格 • 情报 |
战争 | 战争 • 太空战 • 地面战 • 舰船设计器 |
其它 | 特质 • 环境改造 • 种群修饰 • 奴役 • 危机 • 预设帝国 • AI 玩家 • 彩蛋 |