Step into the vast cosmic tapestry of Stellaris 3.12, where strategic brilliance reigns supreme. Embark on a journey of interstellar conquest, wielding the celestial might of the best builds available. From the enigmatic Psionic Ascendancy to the formidable Necroid Juggernaut, each build unfolds a unique narrative, leaving an indelible mark on the galactic stage.
In this definitive guide, we delve into the intricacies of each build, unraveling their strengths and vulnerabilities. Whether you seek to dominate through enigmatic psychic powers, harness the raw energy of machines, or unleash the unstoppable legions of the undead, we present an arsenal of strategies that will propel you to galactic supremacy. Prepare to forge your destiny among the stars, guided by the wisdom and experience of seasoned Stellaris veterans.
As we traverse the celestial expanse, let us begin by exploring the enigmatic Psionic Ascendancy. This build harnesses the boundless power of the mind, granting your species the ability to ascend beyond the limitations of the flesh. With psionic armies at your disposal and the potential to enslave entire worlds, the Psionic Ascendancy emerges as a formidable force in the vastness of space.
The Hegemonic Colossus
The Hegemonic Colossus is a formidable warship in Stellaris, capable of dominating the battlefield with its immense power and versatility. Introduced in the 3.12 patch, this behemoth represents the pinnacle of military engineering, and its construction requires a vast amount of resources and technological prowess.
The Colossus boasts an impressive array of weaponry, including powerful plasma lances, neutron launchers, and anti-ship missiles. Its defenses are equally formidable, with heavy armor, point-defense systems, and a regenerating hull that makes it incredibly resilient. Additionally, the Colossus can deploy up to six strike craft squadrons, providing it with a potent anti-fighter and anti-corvette capability.
With its superior firepower and survivability, the Hegemonic Colossus excel in several combat roles. It can serve as the flagship of a fleet, providing overwhelming offensive and defensive capabilities. Its plasma lances and neutron launchers can devastate enemy capital ships, while its anti-ship missiles and strike craft can effectively counter smaller vessels. The Colossus can also be used as a siege weapon, its powerful weapons allowing it to bombard enemy planets and starbases with pinpoint accuracy.
Design and Strategy
The Hegemonic Colossus requires a significant investment of resources and technology to construct. Its construction cost is exorbitant, and it requires access to advanced technologies such as the Titan Hull and Giga Cannon. Once built, the Colossus should be carefully integrated into a fleet composition that leverages its strengths.
There are several strategies for employing the Hegemonic Colossus effectively. One common tactic is to position it as the centerpiece of a fleet alongside other capital ships and support vessels. This allows the Colossus to focus on destroying enemy capital ships while its allies provide cover and protection. Alternatively, the Colossus can be used as a vanguard ship, leading a fleet of smaller ships into battle and absorbing enemy fire with its formidable defenses.
The Unstoppable Juggernaut
The Juggernaut build in Stellaris 3.12 is a devastating behemoth that rolls over enemy fleets with ease. Its focus on armor, shields, and powerful weaponry makes it a formidable force on the battlefield. To create the ultimate unstoppable Juggernaut, follow these steps:
Technologies and Traditions
Invest heavily in armor and shield technologies to maximize the Juggernaut’s survivability. Additionally, consider the “Supremacy” tradition tree for bonuses to fleet power and armor penetration.
Ship Design
The Juggernaut is a Battleship-class ship with a unique ability to equip three superweapons. It also has a massive hull size of 200, allowing for a substantial number of weapons and defense systems.
Recommended Loadout
The optimal loadout for a Juggernaut depends on the specific gameplay situation. However, a proven and effective configuration is:
| Weapon Slots | Defense Slots |
|---|---|
| 3x Giga Cannon | 4x Point-Defense Weapons |
| 2x Neutron Launchers | 2x Shields |
| 1x Kinetic Artillery | 2x Armor |
| 3x Superweapons (Neutron Torpedo, X-Weapon, and Focused Arc Emitter) |
The Cosmic Warder
The Cosmic Warder is a powerful and versatile stellar build that excels in defense and can adapt to various playstyles. Its primary focus is on creating a durable empire that can withstand enemy attacks and outlast opponents in the long run.
Defensive Prowess
The Cosmic Warder prioritizes defensive capabilities to create an empire that is difficult to defeat. Key technologies include Advanced Hull Strength and Advanced Shields, which significantly increase the durability of ships and starbases. Additionally, the build focuses on researching the Unyielding Tradition, which grants a bonus to planetary fortification and reduces the damage taken from enemy armies.
Fortified Planets
One of the key aspects of the Cosmic Warder build is the fortification of planets. This build emphasizes the construction of Fortresses, which provide substantial defensive bonuses to the planet they are built on. Combined with the Unyielding Tradition, these fortified planets become virtually impenetrable to enemy forces, making them ideal staging grounds for defense or resource production.
| Building | Effect |
|---|---|
| Fortresses | +30% Garrison Army Damage |
| Starbases | +20% Starbase Hull Points |
| Planetary Shields | +20% Defense Platform Strength |
The Psi-Symphony Menace
The Psi-Symphony is a powerful late-game technology in Stellaris that allows ships to deal devastating damage to enemy fleets. It also benefits from the formidable range of Starbases and the ability to pierce shields, making it a potent weapon against any foe. However, this immense power comes at a hefty price, requiring a significant investment in research, resources, and upkeep. The Psi-Symphony is a true game-changer, but it should be judiciously used to ensure its true potential is maximized.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The main advantages possessed by the Psi-Symphony are its devastating effect on enemy hulls, its impressive range, and its ability to bypass shields. These attributes make it an ideal choice for countering heavily shielded opponents, such as the enigmatic Unbidden or the formidable Contingency. Moreover, its long range enables it to engage enemies from a safe distance, reducing the risk of sustaining damage. However, the Psi-Symphony also comes with notable drawbacks. Its high upkeep cost, both in terms of energy and alloys, can strain a player’s economy. Additionally, its long cooldown period limits its usage in rapid combat situations, and it is susceptible to point defense systems, which can intercept and neutralize incoming Psi-Symphony attacks.
Strategic Considerations
To deploy the Psi-Symphony effectively, players should consider the following strategies:
- Seize Control of Strategic Locations: The extensive range of the Psi-Symphony allows players to control key chokepoints and warp gates. This enables them to intercept enemy fleets before they enter vital systems, granting a tactical advantage.
- Complement with Other Technologies: Combining the Psi-Symphony with other ship enhancements, such as the Kinetic Artillery and Giga Cannons, can significantly amplify the overall damage output of a fleet and overwhelm enemy vessels.
- Minimize Upkeep Costs: Employing technologies that reduce energy upkeep, such as the Efficient Subspace Field Emitter, can help mitigate the economic burden of maintaining Psi-Symphony-equipped fleets.
- Protect Against Point Defense: Equipping ships with point defense systems can bolster their defenses against incoming Psi-Symphony attacks. Using battleships and titans, which possess more hardpoints for mounting point defense, further enhances protection.
Optimal Ship Composition
The optimal ship composition for leveraging the Psi-Symphony effectively can vary depending on the specific fleet doctrines and preferences of a player. However, there are some key considerations to keep in mind:
- Utilize Battleships: Battleships, with their high hull strength and numerous hardpoints, serve as ideal platforms for mounting Psi-Symphony weapons.
- Incorporate Destroyers: Destroyers equipped with point defense systems provide crucial protection for the fleet against incoming Psi-Symphony attacks.
- Consider Cruisers: Cruisers offer a balance between damage output and survivability, providing flexibility to the fleet composition.
| Ship Class | Role |
|---|---|
| Battleship | Primary damage dealers, mounting Psi-Symphony weapons |
| Destroyer | Point defense, protecting against incoming Psi-Symphony attacks |
| Cruiser | Versatile, providing both damage output and survivability |
The Engineered Dominion
This build utilizes the Megacorp Authority and the Bio Ascension path to create a powerhouse economy and dominate the galaxy through economic and technological superiority.
Civics and Traits
Civics: Megacorporation, Evolutionary Mastery
Traits: Industrious, Intelligent, Thrifty
Government
Authority: Megacorp
Branch Offices: Establish branch offices on every habitable planet you can find to maximize your trade income and spread your corporate influence.
Traditions
Expansion: Claim as many star systems as possible to expand your economic reach.
Prosperity: Boost your economy and research capabilities.
Supremacy: Military strength to protect your empire from threats.
Species Setup
Species Trait: Natural Engineers for increased engineering research speed.
Gene Modification:
| Trait | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Ingenious | +10% Research Speed |
| Quick Learners | +5% Governing Ethics Attraction |
| Unruly | -10% Happiness |
The Leviathon Slayer
The Leviathon Slayer is a powerful build that focuses on taking down Leviathans. It uses a combination of high-damage weapons and defensive technologies to overwhelm these massive creatures.
Weapons
The Leviathon Slayer uses a variety of weapons to deal damage to Leviathans. These include:
– Kinetic Artillery: Kinetic artillery is a powerful weapon that can deal significant damage to Leviathans. It has a long range and can be used to attack Leviathans from a distance.
– Energy Weapons: Energy weapons are another powerful option for dealing damage to Leviathans. They have a shorter range than kinetic artillery, but they can deal more damage per shot.
– Missiles: Missiles are a good choice for dealing damage to Leviathans at close range. They are relatively cheap to produce and can be fired in large numbers.
Defense
The Leviathon Slayer also uses a variety of defensive technologies to protect itself from Leviathans. These include:
– Shields: Shields are a vital part of the Leviathon Slayer’s defense. They can absorb a significant amount of damage, protecting the ship from Leviathans’ attacks.
– Armor: Armor is another important part of the Leviathon Slayer’s defense. It can reduce the amount of damage that Leviathans deal to the ship.
Strategy
The Leviathon Slayer’s strategy is simple: use its powerful weapons to deal damage to Leviathans while using its defensive technologies to protect itself. The ship should focus on using its high-damage weapons to target Leviathans’ weak points.
Tactics
The Leviathon Slayer can use a variety of tactics to defeat Leviathans. These include:
– Hit-and-run: The Leviathon Slayer can use its long-range weapons to attack Leviathans from a distance. It can then retreat before the Leviathans can retaliate.
– Focus fire: The Leviathon Slayer can focus its fire on a single Leviathan to quickly take it down.
– Divide and conquer: The Leviathon Slayer can divide a group of Leviathans and defeat them one at a time.
Ship Design
The Leviathon Slayer is a specialized ship design that is optimized for taking down Leviathans. The ship’s design includes:
– High-damage weapons: The Leviathon Slayer is equipped with a variety of high-damage weapons that can deal significant damage to Leviathans.
– Strong defense: The Leviathon Slayer is also equipped with a variety of defensive technologies that can protect it from Leviathans’ attacks.
– Fast speed: The Leviathon Slayer is a fast ship that can quickly close in on Leviathans and escape from danger.
The Stellar Exploiter
The Stellar Exploiter is a build that focuses on maximizing resource acquisition and leveraging that advantage to conquer the galaxy. This build combines economic prowess with military might, creating a formidable force that can dominate the cosmos.
Core Principles
The Stellar Exploiter prioritizes the following principles:
- Rapid economic growth through resource exploitation
- Efficient use of resources through colony specialization and resource allocation
- Military dominance to protect and expand acquired resources
Ascension Perks
The following Ascension Perks synergize well with the Stellar Exploiter build:
| Ascension Perk | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Galactic Wonders | Provides access to powerful planetary modifiers that boost resource production |
| Master Builders | Increases construction speed, reducing the time required to build new structures and expand infrastructure |
| Resource Consolidation | Reduces resource upkeep costs, allowing for more efficient resource allocation |
| Synthetic Age | Allows for the creation of synthetic pops, which have higher resource output and lower upkeep costs |
| Transcendance | Grants access to the Habitat module, which provides additional housing and resource production capacity |
The Voidborne Ascendant
Specializing in habitats, Voidborne can build their empire on the stars by settling on resource-rich systems. Since they have the ability to develop habitats on empty star systems, they have more living space, which allows them to build more districts and produce more resources. Additionally, the Voidborne can establish and utilize starports, giving them control over star systems and access to their resources without the need for colonization. With these advantages, the Voidborne can easily expand their reach and become a powerful force in the galaxy.
Habitat Sprawl
Voidborne has the unique ability to minimize habitat sprawl. Habitat sprawl is a penalty that accumulates as you build more habitats. However, the Voidborne’s Voidborne trait reduces habitat sprawl, allowing them to build more habitats without incurring significant penalties. This gives them a significant advantage in terms of living space and resource production.
Migrating Population
The Voidborne can use the Unity Edict to migrate their population to habitats. This allows them to move their population to newly constructed habitats, leaving behind empty districts on their planets. By doing so, the Voidborne can maximize their resource production and efficiency by filling up the empty districts on their habitats with specialized buildings.
Star Fortress
The Voidborne can build Star Fortresses on starbases. Star Fortresses provide a powerful defensive bonus to the star systems they are in. This makes the Voidborne’s empire more difficult to conquer, as enemies will have to contend with these heavily fortified star systems.
Habitat Modules
Voidborne has access to special Habitat Modules. These modules provide various bonuses, such as increased resource production, population growth, or energy storage. By equipping their habitats with these modules, the Voidborne can further enhance their resource production and efficiency.
Zero-G Housing
Housing is one of the most important resources for any empire in Stellaris. Voidborne has the ability to build Zero-G Housing on habitats. Zero-G Housing produces housing without requiring any food, which makes it an ideal choice for crowded habitats.
Research Habitats
Voidborne can build Research Habitats. These habitats are specialized in research, and they can provide a significant boost to the Voidborne’s research output. By investing in Research Habitats, the Voidborne can quickly advance their technologies and gain a competitive advantage.
Gateway Network
Voidborne has a unique ability to build Gateway Networks. Gateways are structures that allow instantaneous travel between star systems. By connecting their habitats and star systems through Gateway Networks, the Voidborne can quickly move their fleets and armies across their expansive empire.
The Synthetic Supremacy
The Synthetic Supremacy is a powerful origin that allows you to start the game with a fully synthetic population. This can give you a significant advantage in the early game, as you will not have to worry about food or housing for your pops.
To play the Synthetic Supremacy, you will need to choose the following options when creating your empire:
- Ethics: Fanatic Materialist
- Civics: Synthetic Dawn and Technocracy
Once you have created your empire, you will need to focus on research and expansion. You will want to build research labs and universities as soon as possible, and you will also want to explore the galaxy and colonize new planets.
The Synthetic Supremacy is a great origin for players who want to play a tall empire. With a fully synthetic population, you will not have to worry about food or housing, and you can focus on research and expansion.
Advantages
- Start with a fully synthetic population.
- No food or housing requirements for pops.
- Bonus to research speed.
Disadvantages
- Cannot build organic pops.
- Vulnerable to EMP weapons.
Tips
- Focus on research and expansion.
- Build research labs and universities as soon as possible.
- Explore the galaxy and colonize new planets.
Origins Table
| Origin | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Synthetic Supremacy | Start with a fully synthetic population. |
| Prosperous Unification | Start with bonus unity and stability. |
| Remnants | Start with bonus resource production and research speed. |
| Doomsday | Start with bonus shields and hull strength. |
| Post-Apocalyptic | Start with bonus food and mineral production. |
The Supremacy of the Stars
1. Introduction
In the vast expanse of Stellaris, building a powerful empire requires careful planning and strategic choices. With the release of version 3.12, the game’s mechanics have been refined, introducing new opportunities for stellar domination. Embark on a galactic journey to explore the best builds and optimize your strategy for cosmic conquest.
2. The Megacorp Empire
The Megacorporation origin offers unique advantages for economic and diplomatic dominance. Establish trade routes, form federations, and acquire vassals to expand your influence and amass vast wealth.
3. The Hive Mind
As a Hive Mind, you possess unmatched unity and flexibility. Adapt to changing conditions, assimilate conquered worlds, and overwhelm your foes with swarms of drone ships.
4. The Machine Intelligence
Precision and efficiency define the Machine Intelligence. Unlock advanced technologies, outpace your opponents in research, and maintain a cohesive empire through centralized control.
5. The Psionic Empire
Embrace the power of the Psionic Shroud. Develop powerful psionic abilities, including telepathy, mind control, and telekinesis, to dominate the minds of your subjects and expand your empire’s influence.
6. The Spiritualist Empire
Seek enlightenment through the Spiritualist path. Establish connections with the Shroud, gain access to powerful spiritualist technologies, and inspire your citizens with unwavering faith.
7. The Devouring Swarm
Unleash the consuming power of the Devouring Swarm. Expand your empire by consuming entire worlds, assimilating their resources, and leaving behind a barren wasteland.
8. The Xenophile Empire
Foster harmony among the stars. As a Xenophile empire, embrace diplomacy, establish alliances, and create a diverse and prosperous galactic society.
9. The Xenophobe Empire
Reject outsiders and protect your borders. Xenophobe empires prioritize self-reliance, building powerful navies, and enforcing strict immigration policies.
10. Ascension Perks and Technologies
Customize your empire’s strengths and weaknesses by selecting the right ascension perks and technologies. Consider your empire’s ethos, origin, and available resources to create a synergistic and formidable build. The following table provides a comprehensive list of ascension perks and technologies to enhance your empire’s capabilities:
| Ascension Perks | Technologies |
|---|---|
| Galactic Contender | Plasma Throwers |
| Master Builders | Kinetic Artillery |
| Voidborne | Neutron Launchers |
| One Vision | Particle Lances |
| Synthetic Evolution | Cloud Lightning |
Best Stellaris Build 3.12
With the release of Stellaris 3.12, the meta for building the strongest empire has shifted once again. This guide will provide an in-depth look into the current best build, taking into account the various changes and additions to the game.
The focus of this build is on maximizing research output and unity generation. By combining specific traits, civics, and technologies, we can create an empire that rapidly advances through the tech tree and outpaces its rivals in terms of development.
People Also Ask
How to Maximize Research Output?
To maximize research output, it is crucial to focus on traits that increase research speed. The “Intelligent” trait provides a 10% boost, while the “Natural Scientists” and “Cybernetic” traits grant an additional 5% each. Additionally, the “Technocracy” civic offers a 10% bonus to research speed.
How to Increase Unity Generation?
Unity generation can be boosted by traits and civics that focus on social development. The “Conformist” trait grants a 10% bonus, while the “Shared Burdens” civic provides a flat +1 unity per planet. Additionally, technologies such as “Social Welfare” and “Planetary Unification” further increase unity output.
What is the Best Government Type for Research and Unity?
For both research and unity, the best government type is the “Oligarchy.” It provides a +5% bonus to research speed and a +10% bonus to unity generation. This makes it an ideal choice for empires focused on scientific advancement and social harmony.
