Big changes are on the way (eventually, there’s no ETA on the next update). I have to say I’m very excited.
They’re changing how FTL works. It’s going to be hyperlanes only, with a few wormhole shortcuts. Black holes and other things will have different effects. Galactic terrain will be a thing.
They’re changing how system control works. No more zones of control emanating from colonies and outposts. Each star will have a single point of control, that gives control of the whole system, but no control outside the system.
They’re changing how starports and defense stations work. It’ll be system-based, integrated into the system control.
They’re changing how war works. They’re removing the old Paradox war-score paradigm. It’s now based on claims and war exhaustion. Limited wars will be much easier to execute without completely destroy your opponent. Full-scale wars with large annexations will be possible, even against large empires, if you can completely destroy them.
All of those quoted changes come with the free patch (if you don’t want them, you can always tell Steam to switch to an earlier version). Read more under the “Free Feature” header of the full patch notes.
I’m really looking forward to these changes. It’s going to be a whole new game!
I am very excited for these changes as well. As said, it will be like a whole new game. I’m not too happy about it being hyperspace only as this is my least favorite style of 4X; however, I recognize that for the good of the game it was the right choice. Ultimately, I think the game will be more balanced and more fun for the changes and so I can get behind it.
The story trailer is fraking amazing. It makes me want to re-join the army.
If you go to the “Betas” option tab of Stellaris in the Steam browser, you’ll see a list several previous versions. These are good working versions with no crippling bugs, usually just before a major version change. Choose one and Steam will “update” the game to that version. This will probably break any mods you have.
I really don’t like hyperspace style 4X games but there’s no question, the new system simply works better than the old system. Do I wish they could have found some way to make it all work with warp drive and wormholes? Sure, but this was the right call for Paradox to make. It plays better because it is all directed, making everything under you choice and makes it so that you know what will happen when you make a choice.
The other thing it does is it slows down the early rush. Which is probably why the AI does better. This may ve something that annoys some players but I like the slower more deliberate play.
If you get the DLC, when you start a new game turn off the marauders. There is a bug right now with them that can prevent you from paying them off. So they are pretty game breaking both for the player and the AI. They simply rampage and rampage and rampage.
The new war paradigm plays very differently. Pro-tip: make your claims carefully and don’t bite off more than you can chew. The side “winning” a war cannot prolong it indefinitely. The war exhaustion mechanic will end it even while both sides have some capability to fight. Much better than “must utterly defeat other side to every win war”.
I really like the new star control paradigm. It makes it very simple to know what you have.
Yeah, I find the new war mechanic better. I think war exhaustion might grow a little bit too quickly, but overall it works well. Most wars tends to be “relatively” small affairs, although the option is still there for massive campaigns if you greatly outclass the enemy.
I’m having fun in a game with the lowest possible hyperlane density. Bottlenecks abound. A fallen empire blocks my access to most of the galaxy. I spent most of the game contained in my corner of the galaxy; all I had for company were one other civ (and they’re fanatic pacifists) and the Dimensional Horror. I massed my navy and hurled it all against the DH. Several times. After I finally killed it, I got access to jump drives. I also found a wormhole that allowed me to explore and claim a different corner of the galaxy.
It seems like fallen empires are a lot stronger now. My neighbour’s fleet is at least 140k, with each starbase sitting around 40k. It’ll be a long time before I can challenge them; I suspect that they have more repeatable techs than in previous versions.
I couldn’t play with a lowest possible hyperlane density. It would drive me crazy, but I think its great that you’re enjoying it. Also, I like that they have all those sliders for exactly that reason, so that different players can enjoy the game their way.
I’m really digging the new war system. I know there’s a subset of people who are being vocal on the forums about not liking it, but I don’t think it is going to change much anytime soon. Anyway, I really enjoy it. I had several wars against a fanatical purifier. Two of the wars ended with me claiming some territory, and him claiming some territory. One ended in a total stalemate. The other two were victories for me after joining a federation. I’m not sure the stalemate would have ever ended if not for the federation and that’s awesome.
What I find tends to happen is that unless you have an immediate and decisive advantage over the enemy then as you wear down their military to the point where you might have an advantage, the war is over due to exhaustion. And that’s very cool, to me anyway. But for some people, they clearly do not like this at all.
I’m just about to hit 2400, so end game crisis time. It should be an interesting finish. The federation to which I belong is the strongest force in the galaxy but can we stop an end game crisis? I’m not sure. I just got the titan technology so that might help.
The only bugs that are annoying me are the time limits on some missions are way too short given current flight times, and the over-powered marauders. I’m sure those will be quickly retuned in a patch.
I like that the game actively punishes doom-stack fleets in large empires. Flight times mean your doom stack will never reach anywhere in a timely manner. A tip I read on the forums: have a fleet with only corvettes that have maxed out thrusters. They can quickly get to any small problem.
Another useful tip: build anchorages in your star bases to increase your fleet cap. Besides the obvious benefit, the bigger your fleet cap is, the less war exhaustion you take.
I tried playing with x0.75 hyperlanes, but it was too sparse for me. I think the default level is best for me. This is for four-arm spiral galaxies, which is all I ever play anymore. I like how you can see other empires in adjacent arms, but can’t really interact with them.
Add my support for the new war system. It’s nice that you don’t have to take every single planet and such in order to win, AND there’s no long rebuilding process afterwards. I’d be happy with war exhaustion tweaking, but I like it so far.
