# Stellaris - 4X/Grand Strategy Hybrid from Paradox **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 14, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001 "2016-03-14T18:59:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/241 "2017-05-23T13:54:23Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > That’s always fun. > > In my latest, I’ve started at the very end of a spiral arm. Only hyperlanes are allowed, so I have mine own little corner. Time will tell if it’s stronghold to dominate the galaxy from, or box I’m trapped in. Do you find that there are more pirates/aliens at the end of spiral arms? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/242 "2017-05-23T18:52:49Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Do you find that there are more pirates/aliens at the end of spiral arms? Not really, since there are fewer stars at the ends. Maybe in some games, if no empire’s borders reach the end, then pirates/monsters can lurk. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/243 "2017-05-26T13:25:09Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > In my latest, I’ve started at the very end of a spiral arm. Only hyperlanes are allowed, so I have mine own little corner. Time will tell if it’s stronghold to dominate the galaxy from, or box I’m trapped in. Verdict: trapped in a box. The next empire over was a fanatic spiritualist fallen empire, which basically cuts me off from the rest of the galaxy. Got to love the cruelties of the RNG. I’ve found some weird bugs. Some transport ships got grouped into an unnamed fleet not in the galaxy. Completely inaccessible, yet still counting against the army cap. And after I went Psionic Transcendence, some pops still stayed normal. I worked-around both editing the savegame. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/244 "2017-05-26T16:53:47Z")
May I ask how long a typical game lasts? It seems like s large game might last hundreds of hours. And there is much dead time. I bring a book for the long slow periods. Still enjoying it though. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/245 "2017-05-26T17:46:51Z")
Anywhere from a couple hours to hundreds of hours. I typically have several games I switch between. Stellaris’ save system makes it easy, with the saves grouped by “game”. I’ll play each one off-and-on either I’m until I’m either bored with it or an update breaks the save. (Or the empire dies a glorious death. 😉 ) The indeterminacy of the end is the best part of sandbox games. (I play the same way with other Paradox games, The Sims, and MMOs.) You play until it’s not fun and then try something different. Replay with a different setup or mod the game for different behavior. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/246 "2017-05-26T18:18:01Z")
Thank you. Excellent advice because i get stuck into a single way of play…human…large galaxy …fewer civs. Cant wait for the weekend. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/247 "2017-05-27T21:35:48Z")
I have made contact with the Penis People…they are hard but friendly. [![](https://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t239/bababui_2007/20170526163120_1.jpg) ](https://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t239/bababui_2007/20170526163120_1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/248 "2017-05-28T13:29:14Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > I have made contact with the Penis People…they are hard but friendly. > > [http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t239/bababui\_2007/20170526163120\_1.jpg](http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t239/bababui_2007/20170526163120_1.jpg) Yeah, I’ve never been able to think of them as anything other than Penis People either. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/249 "2017-06-02T17:53:22Z")
Just a reminder to anyone who got the game through the Humble Monthly bundle that the other June bundle games were unlocked and to cancel your subscription unless you intend to keep subscribed. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/250 "2017-06-03T01:11:08Z")
Plague Inc and Shoppe Keep were included…fun little games. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/251 "2017-10-02T11:46:21Z")
I finally got this game and played it all weekend. Really enjoying it – I love the variety of findings and events when exploring the galaxy. So far interactions with other empires have been pretty mundane – I actually found observing and eventually elevating the “less advanced” species I’ve found to be more fun. It’s quite satisfying to elevate them from the dark ages, then make them a protectorate, and then fully integrate them as citizens into my empire. I love that the galaxies are really big – exploration has always been my favorite part of these kinds of games. Next game I may do a huge galaxy with only 1 or 2 other races! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/252 "2017-10-02T11:57:23Z")
One question – what are “fallen empires”? Are those just other empires that are particularly powerful? I don’t think I’ve come across one yet, at least not very clearly. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/253 "2017-10-02T13:23:36Z")
Basically they’re civilizations that established themselves ages ago. They’re technologically superior and possess massively powerful fleets at the start of the game - 40k or so. The will kick your ships out of their region, close borders and basically tell you get off the lawn. It is possible that they’ll wake up and reassert themselves in the galaxy or even go to war with another fallen empire (think Vorlonsvs. Shadows from B5). ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/254 "2017-10-02T14:04:23Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > One question – what are “fallen empires”? Are those just other empires that are particularly powerful? I don’t think I’ve come across one yet, at least not very clearly. There are four kinds iirc. Look at their description. If they are xenophobes and isolationist they will not allow you to colonize around them. Never colonize a planet that had a name…Pristine Jewel for example because they will attack you. Even if you give it back they will execute your leader to shame you. Another FE is much friendlier. They might ask for a pop but they will occasionally offer gifts of their own. The Stellaris reddit is very helpful as the game is very deep. Make sure you have the correct fleet composition before you take one on. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/255 "2017-10-02T14:04:28Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > Basically they’re civilizations that established themselves ages ago. They’re technologically superior and possess massively powerful fleets at the start of the game - 40k or so. The will kick your ships out of their region, close borders and basically tell you get off the lawn. It is possible that they’ll wake up and reassert themselves in the galaxy or even go to war with another fallen empire (think Vorlonsvs. Shadows from B5). Thanks! Do they control large areas, or just a single system? ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/256 "2017-10-02T15:27:36Z")
They tend to not be too large 4-5 systems maybe but I’m sure it depends. I’d say a mid game empires will cover more space. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/257 "2017-10-02T16:01:58Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Even if you give it back they will execute your leader to shame you. Which, at least in the last version that I played, was actually very helpful as a democratic society, because you get a new leader and new set of objectives, so you could get more bonus influence. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/258 "2017-10-02T21:06:39Z")
iiandyiii…if you like discovery use your initial 3 corvettes to explore your immediate area; especially looking for habitable planets. Or, click the ~ and type observe to see the planets and empires in your galaxy. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/259 "2017-10-02T22:25:59Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > iiandyiii…if you like discovery use your initial 3 corvettes to explore your immediate area; especially looking for habitable planets. > > Or, click the ~ and type observe to see the planets and empires in your galaxy. I’ll try that next time. Though I think the ~ cheating would take the fun out of the exploration. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001/260 "2017-10-02T22:40:20Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’ll try that next time. Though I think the ~ cheating would take the fun out of the exploration. It does. But playing close to a fanatical purifier empire (slavers and genocides) really isn’t fun, for me at least. Take them out as soon as possible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stellaris-4x-grand-strategy-hybrid-from-paradox/749001.md?page=14)