Technology
Technology is the most crucial element of securing galactic hegemony. Each major race has its own technology tree, with staggered technology ages to help streamline the gameplay and avoid the age-old problem of attacking a tank with a phalanx (so to speak).
The technology trees are split into four major categories (some are named differently among the civilizations): colonization, engineering, warfare, and culture. Each section of the tree focuses on different techs that will give your civilization a boost in various areas, from tourism revenue to advanced weapons for facing down your enemies.
Technology trees
All major factions have their own unique technology tree, the minor factions share a technology tree, and custom factions can use any of the technology trees. Clicking on the faction name will take you to more information about that faction, while clicking on the technology tree description will take you to the technologies of that faction.
In the Crusade and Intrigue expansions, the technology tree is no longer faction specific. Instead, different branches of the tree are present or absent based on the faction's abilities and traits. So, for example, the branch that has the Xeno Mysticism, Precursor History, and Dark Energy Research technologies is available to any faction that has the Ancient ability, not just the Altarians.
Commonalities
Every race has access to the basic necessities of expanding and growing their empire. Everyone has some kind of factory progression, for example, and access to colonization tech for extreme worlds. They differ in many of the details, though, and each race has one or more areas of expertise according to their general personality and proclivities.
| Major Factions | Icon | Technology Tree Description |
|---|---|---|
| Altarian Resistance |  |
Altarian technology tree reflects their love of beauty and culture. |
| Drengin Empire |  |
Drengin technology tree is ruthless, brutal, and often downright evil. Just like its inventors. |
| Iconian Refuge |  |
Iconian technology tree focuses on their ancient lineage and the mysticism they've built up over the millenia. |
| Iridium Corporation |  |
Iridium technology tree is, like the rest of Iridium culture, based on the creation of value and profit. |
| Krynn Syndicate |  |
Krynn technology tree allows them to explore the Way, which shapes their developing culture along distinct paths. |
| Terran Alliance |  |
Terran technology tree does it all, with a focus on diplomacy. |
| Thalan Contingency |  |
Thalan technology tree is weird and wonderful. Living in exile from an apocalyptic future will do that. |
| Yor Singularity |  |
Yor technology tree is particularly concerned with the extermination of dirty, messy organic life from the galaxy. |
| Other Factions | Icon | Technology Tree Description |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Factions |  |
Minor races each borrow one of the major races' tech trees. |
| Custom Factions |  |
Custom Race technology trees are of the players choosing, as they can choose any of the other races' tech trees. |
Colonization Techs
The colonization portion of the tech tree focuses on techs for settling on other worlds, constructing better buildings for your colonies, and making your citizens happy. Precursor research is also centrally important to this particular part of the tree, since harnessing those ancient technologies can go a long way toward a better quality of life for your people - not to mention a much easier time expanding and colonizing previously uninhabitable planets.
| Culture Tech | Tech Description |
|---|---|
| Colonization | Allows construction of colony modules and basic colony buildings. |
| Colonial Administration | Creates the department of colonization. |
| Colonial Settlements | Allows construction of improved colony buildings. |
| Xeno Artifact Studies | Allows the use of alien artifacts found on colonized worlds. |
| Xeno Manufacturing | Allows construction of improved colony buildings. |
| Xeno Experimentation | Allows construction of improved research facilities. |
| Xeno Mysticism | Allows for the construction of the Social Matrix. |
| Planetology | Allows for the improvement of a planet's ecology. |
| Xeno Archeology | Increases Precursor research, allowing greater use of their technology. |
| Resource Processing | Allows for the construction of unique resource-heavy improvements. |
| Space Laboratories | Allows for the construction of deep research facilities. |
| Precursor Legacy | Enables better study of Precursor space relics. |
| Precursor Relic Understanding | Allows for greater utilization of Precursor relics. |
| Xeno Adaptation | Allows for settlement on extreme worlds, at reduced production potential. |
| Precursor Studies | Increases Precursor research, allowing further use of their technology. |
| Xeno Slavery (Drengin Only) | Allows for construction of improved colony buildings. |
| Xeno Industrialization | Allows for construction of improved colony buildings. |
| Xeno Research | Allows for construction of improved research facilities. |
| Environmental Engineering | Allows soil enhancement and improves adjacency terrain efects. |
| Advanced Foundations | Increases Precursor research, allowing even greater use of their technology. |
| Mechanized Slavery (Drengin Only) | Allows for the construction of advanced manufacturing facilities. |
| Advanced Construction | Allows for the construction of advanced manufacturing facilities. |
| Starbase Networking | Allows for the construction of deep research facilities. |
| Precursor History (Altarians Only) | By better understanding the history of the Precursors, we can begin taking steps to make our race even greater than it already is. |
| Extreme Colonization | Allows for settlement on extreme worlds, at reduced production potential. |
| Precursor Insight | Increases Precursor research, allowing for greater use of their technology. |
| Xeno Resource Mining | Allows for the construction of unique resource-heavy improvements. |
| Neuro Linking | Allows for construction of improved research facilities. |
| Colonial Engineering | Allows for the construction of Civil Engineering projects. |
| Xeno Biology (Terran Alliance Only) | Allows for the construction of improved medical facilities and increases population growth. |
| Precursor Investigation | Increases Precursor research, allowing for greater use of their technology. |
| Slave Masters (Drengin Only) | Mastery of slave manufacturing techniques. |
| Industrial Expertise | Allows for the construction of the ultimate manufacturing facilities. |
| Institutional Research | Allows for the construction of improved research facilities. |
| Terraforming | Allows for the construction of terraforming plants. |
| Colonization Focus | Mastering living on an extreme world will make life there a lot more tolerable for the poor fools who volunteered for it. |
| Agricultural Adaptation (Terran Alliance Only) | Allows for the construction of improved farms and increases food production. |
| Precursor Exploitation | Increases Precursor research, allowing for greater use of their technology. |
| Advanced Resource Mining | Allows for the construction of unique resource-heavy improvements. |
| Research Extraction | Allows for the construction of galactic universities. |
| Collaborative Experimentation (Onyx Hive Only) | Allows for the construction of galactic universities. |
| Research Centers (Terran Alliance Only) | Allows for the construction of advanced research facilities. |
| Terrestrial Harvesting | Allows for the construction of civilian buildings and increases population growth. |
| Atmospheric Cleansing | Allows for settlement on more extreme worlds at reduced population potential. |
| Population Enhancement (Terran Alliance Only) | Allows for the construction of advanced medical facilities and increases population growth. |
| Food Distribution (Terran Only) | Allows for the construction of farming support buildings and increases food production. |
| Slavery Focus (Drengin Only) | If we start using the slavelings for the jobs they're best at, or even breeding them that way, we can make everything more efficient. |
| Manufacturing Focus (Terran Alliance Only) | There's no getting around it: "Incremental improvements in manufacturing techniques" isn't much of a headline. Which is a shame, considering the benefit we expect to see from them. |
| Intelligence Amplification (Drengin Only) | Boosts the intelligence of slaves. |
| Integrated Research | Allows for the construction of exotic research facilities. |
| Dark Energy Research (Altarians Only) | Allows for the construction of the Dark Energy Lab. |
| Habitat Improvement | Allows for the construction of advanced terraforming plants. |
| Biosphere Perfection | No longer must our colonists die without cause. Even the deadliest of planets are now perfectly survivable for us. |
| High Yield Crops (Terran Only) | Allows for the construction of advanced farms. |
| Precursor Engineering | Increases Precursor research, allowing for greater use of their technology. |
| Research Matrix | Allows for the construction of the ultimate research facilities. |
| Advanced Resource Harvesting | Allows for the construction of civilian buildings and increases population growth. |
| Slaveling Recycling (Drengin Only) | Recycles slaves. |
| Xeno Irrigation (Terran Alliance Only) | Allows for the construction of improved farming support buildings and increases food production. |
| Mysterious Knowledge (Drengin Only) | Allows for the construction of reduced torture research facilities. |
| Deeper Knowledge | Allows for the construction of deep research facilities. |
| Soil Reclamation | Allows you to add more tiles to your planets. |
| Protein Resequencing (Drengin Only) | Allows for the construction of protein sequencing farms. |
| Biomass Resequencing (Terran Alliance Only) | Allows for the construction of advanced farming support buildings and increases food production. |
| Pain-Free Understanding (Drengin Only) | Allows for the construction of torture-free facilities. |
| Quantum Understanding | Allows for the construction of improved deep research facilities. |
| Environmental Resequencing | Increases the amount of usable land on all colonized planets. |
| Bio Replication (Terran Alliance Only) | Allows for the construction of exotic medical facilities and increases population growth. |
| Manufacturing Stimulus | Substantially boost manufacturing levels for 15 turns (capstone). |
| Research Stimulus | Substantially boost research levels for 10 turns. |
| Beyond Mortality | Allows for the construction of advanced deep research facilities and prepares civilization for ascension. |
| Precursor Understanding | Increases Precursor research, allowing for greater use of their technology. |
Engineering Techs
The engineering portion of the tech tree focuses on techs that will improve your ships by strengthening their hulls, increasing their speed, optimizing their life support, and more. Many of the techs also focus on building and improving minig facilities and increasing logistics. Some techs will also improve the speed and mobility of ships within hyperlanes.
| Engineering Tech | Tech Description |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Allows construction of hyperdrives and tiny hulls. |
| Artificial Gravity | Allows the manipulation of gravity, which has endless applications. |
| Spatial Manipulation | Allows the manipulation of space and the building of hypergates. |
| Space Elevators | Allows for the building of supply ships and space elevators. |
| Interstellar Travel | Improves sensor, life support, and speed of all ships. |
| Orbital Manufacturing | Allows for the construction of a larger hull size. |
| Deep Field Inspection | Allows for faster-than-light astronomy. |
| Life Support | Allows for the construction of improved life support systems. |
| Advanced Engineering | Paves the way for the design and engineering of complex systems in zero-gravity environments. |
| Subatomic Organization | Enables miniaturization while maintaining mass. |
| Precursor Traditions (Altarians Only) | Increases shipyard output and quality. |
| Ion Drive | Allows for the construction of improved hyperdrives. |
| Zero Gravity Construction | Allows for the construction of medium hulls. |
| Interstellar Resupply | Improves logistics and starbase efficiency. |
| Precursor Specialization (Altarians Only) | With the lessons we have learned from our Precursor Traditions, we have been able to find new ways to make our ships superior to all others. |
| Interstellar Survey | Allows for the construction of improved sensors and survey modules. |
| Hull Strengthening | Allows for the construction of tougher hulls. |
| Interstellar Logistics | Allows for the construction of mining facilities and increases logistics. |
| Interstellar Mining | Allows for the construction of mining facilities. |
| Hyperlane Tunneling | Increases the movement of ships in hyperlanes. |
| Hyperfield Projection | Allows for the construction of speed boosting support modules. |
| Energy Field Sensors | Allows for the construction of advanced sensors. |
| Hull Repair Systems | Allows for the construction of hull support and repair modules. |
| Fleet Logistics | Greatly increases logistics. |
| High Efficiency Mining | Allows for the construction of improved mining facilities. |
| Precursor Mysteries (Altarians Only) | Allows the construction of the Precursor Protection Field support module. |
| Dimensional Fatigue | Studies theoretical weak points in the universe. |
| Gravity Field Manipulation | Allows for the construction of advanced speed boosting support modules. |
| Warp Field Theory | Allows for the construction of advanced hyperdrives. |
| Large Scale Construction | Allows for the construction of large hulls. |
| Deep Space Logistics | Greatly increases logistics. |
| Resource Extraction | Allows for the construction of advanced mining facilities. |
| Hyperfield Disruption | Allows for the construction of enemy speed reduction modules. |
| Support Field Generation | Allows for the construction of advanced life support systems. |
| Carriers | Allows for the construction of carrier modules. |
| Self Healing Hulls | Allows for the construction of tactical repair modules. |
| Hyperlane Streaming | Increases the movement of ships in hyperlanes. |
| Stellar Field Projection | Allows for the construction of advanced speed boosting support modules. |
| Hyperwarp Waves | Allows for the construction of exotic hyperdrives. |
| Inherent Talent (Altarians Only) | Increases accuracy and interferes with enemy targeting. |
| Interceptor Drones | Allows for the construction of cheap and light Interceptor drones. |
| Massive Scale | Construction Allows for the construction of large hulls. |
| Galactic Logistics | Greatly increases logistics. |
| Lossless Mining | Allows for the construction of targeted resource extractor modules. |
| Living Ships (Altarians Only) | Our ships no longer need to be maintained and will self-heal. |
| Subspace Sensors | Allows for the construction of exotic sensors. |
| Support Field Mastery | Allows for the construction of fleet life support modules. |
| Guardian Drones | Allows for the construction of cheap and light Guardian drones. |
| Lossless Support Systems | Allows for the construction of the ultimate life support systems. |
| Stellar Folding | Allows for the construction of the ultimate hyperdrives. |
| High Capacity Carriers | Allows for the construction of high capacity carrier modules. |
| Drive System Optimization | Substantially boost the speed of all ships for 15 turns (capstone). |
Warfare Techs
The warfare portion of the tech tree focuses on things that go ka-boom! It allows for research into various weapon technologies from missiles to kinetics and can also go a long way toward optimizing your potential for winning (or defending against) invasions.
| Warfare Tech | Tech Description |
|---|---|
| Warfare | Allows for the research of weapons technologies. |
| Militarization | Begins the path of building a space navy. |
| Weapons Systems | Allows for the construction of basic weapon systems. |
| Planetary Invasion | Allows for the construction of transport modules and provides 10 legions. |
| Defense Systems | Allows for the construction of basic defensive systems. |
| Beam Weapons | Allows for the construction of improved beam weapons. |
| Missile Weapons | Allows for the construction of improved missile weapons. |
| Kinetic Weapons | Allows for the construction of improved kinetic weapons. |
| Invasion Optimization | Good news! We've developed some new - possibly amoral but certainly effective - techniques for pacifying enemy ground forces. |
| Shield Systems | Allows for the construction of improved shield systems. |
| Point Defenses | Allows for the construction of point defense systems. |
| Armor Systems | Allows for the construction of improved armor systems. |
| Beam Weapon Optimization | Weapons researchers have to keep paces with advances in many other fields to get the most out of their inventions. Right now, recent advances in material sciences are opening the door to a new generation of more efficient weapons. |
| Missile Optimization | After blowing up several thousand target drones and one unfortunate asteroid, our weapons engineers have come up with a number of possible improvements we can implement for our missile platforms. |
| Kinetic Optimization | Some modest improvements in the energy delivery system of our kinetic weapons could result in improvements to the cost, mass, or range of each unit. |
| War College | Allows for the training of Commanders. |
| Shield Optimization | We've received quite a bit of useful data on real world performance of our shield systems, and have devised several possible improvements we can begin making to them. |
| Point Defense Optimization | Optimizing our point defense systems should lead to a number of different performance gains. Like possibly less exploded ships. |
| Armor Optimization | We've blown up lots and lots of slabs of armor on the test range and have come up with a few possible improvements we could make to our armor systems. |
| Beam Weapon Augmentation | Allows for the construction of beam support systems. |
| Missile Augmentation | Allows for the construction of missile support systems. |
| Kinetic Augmentation | Allows for the construction of kinetic support systems. |
| Defensive Meditation (Altarians Only) | Allows for the construction of the Champion's Temple. |
| Fortification | Allows for the construction of defensive fortifications and improves planetary defense. |
| Shield Support Systems | Allows for the construction of shield support systems. |
| Point Defense Support | Allows for the construction of point defense support systems. |
| Armor Support Systems | Allows for the construction of armor support systems. |
| Matter Disruption | Allows for the construction of advanced beam weapons. |
| Harpoons | Allows for the construction of advanced missile weapons. |
| Pulse Cannons | Allows for the construction of advanced kinetic weapons. |
| Stellar Marines | Improves soldier effectiveness and transport capacity. |
| Barrier Field Generation | Allows for the construction of advanced shield systems. |
| Point Defense Augmentation | Allows for the construction of improved point defense support systems. |
| Durantium Composite | Allows for the construction of advanced armor systems. |
| Beam Weapon Miniaturization | Allows more beam weapons to fit in a particular space. |
| Missile Miniaturization | Allows for smaller missiles that deliver the same payload. |
| Hyper Field Mass Launchers | Decreases the size needed for kinetic based weapons. |
| Orbital Defense Platform | Adds defensive fighters to orbit and improves planetary defense. |
| Energy Defense Optimization | Reduces the size of shield emitters. |
| Counter Measures | Allows for the construction of advanced point defense systems. |
| Armor Materials Science | Improves the understanding of kinetic energy defenses, allowing for more optimized use of armor materials. |
| High Energy Transfer | Allows for the construction of improved beam support systems. |
| Advanced Missile Guidance | Allows for the construction of improved missile support systems. |
| Mass Manipulation | Allows for the construction of improved kinetic support systems. |
| Planetary Defense Dome | Allows for the construction of planetary defense dome and improves planetary defense. |
| Shield Augmentation | Allows for the construction of improved shield support systems. |
| Counter Targeting Computers | Eliminates the need to reserve space in point defenses for targeting computers. |
| Armor Enhancement | Allows for the construction of improved armor support systems. |
| Plasma Projection | Allows for the construction of exotic beam weapons. |
| Photonic Warheads | Allows for the construction of exotic missile weapons. |
| Graviton Thrower | Allows for the construction of exotic kinetic weapons. |
| Force Fields | Allows for the construction of exotic shield systems. |
| Drone Sentry Systems | Allows for the construction of exotic point defense systems. |
| Kanvium Laminate | Allows for the construction of exotic armor systems. |
| High Energy Magnification | Allows for the construction of advanced beam support systems. |
| Intelligent Warheads | Allows for the construction of advanced missile support systems. |
| Inertial Magnification | Allows for the construction of advanced kinetic support systems. |
| Gravitational Focus | Our ability to manipulate gravitational fields presents several unique tactical possibilities for our ground forces. These are powerful weapons we're giving to guys with pretty thick skulls, so we should definitely remember to keep an eye on them. |
| Energy Field Manipulation | Allows for the construction of advanced shield support systems. |
| Point Defense Manipulation | Allows for the construction of advanced point defense support systems. |
| Integrity Field Projection | Allows for the construction of advanced armor support systems. |
| Energy Phasing | Allows for the construction of devastating beam weapons. |
| Photon Torpedoes | Allows for the construction of devastating missile weapons. |
| Quantum Drivers | Allows for the construction of devastating kinetic weapons. |
| Drone Soldiers | Improves soldier effectiveness and transport capacity. |
| Invulnerability | Allows for the construction of the ultimate shield systems. |
| Aereon Missile Defense | Allows for the construction of the ultimate point defense systems. |
| Zero Point Armor | Allows for the construction of the ultimate armor systems. |
| Doom Ray | Allows for the construction of the ultimate beam weapons. |
| Nightmare Torpedoes | Allows for the construction of the ultimate missile weapons. |
| Singularity Drivers | Allows for the construction of the ultimate kinetic weapons. |
| Advanced Invasion Tactics | Improves soldier effectiveness and allows the construction of advanced transports. |
Culture Techs
The culture portion of the tech tree focuses on making friends and influencing aliens. In this tree, you'll find helpful techs like universal translator that will let you speak with other civilizations, along with many techs that provide leaders and building improvements that will boost income from tourism.
| Culture Tech | Tech Description |
|---|---|
| Culture | Allows the research of communication technologies. |
| Universal Translator | Allows communications with other alien civilizations. |
| Ministry of Alien Affairs | Provides a framework for colonies to interact with alien species. |
| Interstellar Governance | Provides a leader and increases administration. |
| Xeno Commerce | Allows for the construction of basic economic buildings and freighters. |
| Cultural Exchange | Begin spreading cultural influence across the galaxy and earn a profit from it. |
| Enjoyment (Altarians Only) | Allows for the construction of basic entertainment buiildings and increases approval. |
| Diplomacy | Provides a Diplomat and allows for the construction of embassies and the formation of basic treaties. |
| Fighting Pits (Drengin Only) | Allows for the construction of fighting pits. |
| Digital Exchange (Yor Only) | Increases the efficacy of trade between colonies and other species. |
| Xeno Entertainment | Allows for the construction of basic entertainment buildings and increases approval. |
| Interstellar Immigration | Encourages aliens to begin making our worlds a home. Increases population growth, but reduces approval. |
| Cultural Influence | Allows for the construction of basic cultural buildings, increases influence, and provides a celebrity. |
| Espionage | Allows for the training of agents who can be used to destabilize and surveille other civilizations. |
| Xeno Economics | Allows for the construction of improved economic buildings and grants an Entrepreneur. |
| Interstellar Tourism | Allows for the construction of improved entertainment buildings and allows you to collect tourism income. |
| Cultural Outreach | Allows for the construction of improved cultural buildings and increases influence. |
| Galactic Governance | Provides a free leader and 3 more administrative points. |
| Interstellar Trade | Allows for the construction of basic trading buildings and adds one trade route. |
| Open Immigration | Encourages aliens to begin making our worlds a home. Increases population growth, but reduces approval. |
| Stellar Emigration | Allows for the construction of advanced cultural buildings and increases influence. |
| Interstellar Alliances | Allows for the construction of improved diplomatic buildings and increases diplomacy. |
| Interstellar Banking | Allows for the construction of advanced economic buildings. |
| Wonders of the Galaxy | Allows for the construction of advanced tourism structures and increases tourism income. |
| Cultural Assimilation | Allows for the construction of exotic cultural buildings and increases influence. |
| Eminence | Allows for the construction of advanced diplomatic buildings and increases diplomacy. |
| Market Extortion (Drengin Only) | Allows for the construction of improved trading buioldings and adds two trade routes. |
| Galactic Trade | Allows for the construction of improved trading buildings and adds 2 trade routes. |
| Open Citizenship | Encourages aliens to begin making our worlds a home. Increases population growth, but reduces approval. |
| Cultural Domination | Allows for the construction of the ultimate cultural buiildings and increases influence. |
| Technocracy (Onyx Hive Only) | Provides a free leader and 3 more administrative points. |
| Interstellar Democracy (Terran Alliance Only) | Provides a free leader and 3 more administrative points. |
| Majesty (Terran Alliance Only) | Allows the formation of assimilation treaties. |
| Financial Sectors | Allows for the construction of exotic economic buildings. |
| Homage (Drengin Only) | Allows for the construction of the Temple of Strength. |
| Pilgrimage | Allows for the construction of exotic tourism structures and increases tourism income. |
| Cultural Affinity | Prepares civilization for acension. |
| Star Federation | Provides a free leader and 3 more administrative points. |
| Galactic Stock Market | Allows for the construction of the ultimate economic buildings. |
| Economic Study | Substantially boosts civilization's wealth for 15 turns (capstone). |
| Technological Outreach | Greatly increases the speed of colonies' influence for 15 turns (capstone). |