Best first tradition and ascension perk

[Lexon]

With the 2.2 some of the traditions and perks changed. I wonder what do you think is the best starting tradition and perk?
Personally I start with Discovery and then switch to Expansion, for the first perk I usualyl take the technological ascendancy.

[Stormsong]

Yeah, Discovery & Technological Ascendancy is pretty standard. Nothing wrong with that, it's a solid start.

If I'm playing spiritualists and judge that I can close off chokes with relatively little influence spent and be happy with the space that will be left to be I'll take Consecrated Worlds. If I start next to some Xenophobe who starts mouthing off on day one, I'll grab Interstellar Dominion because at that point war is coming in 10-20 years, it's not a question of if, hell it's barely a question of when. Outside of those situations, I'll grab Technological Ascendancy.

For traditions, I used to love starting Harmony, that home environment bonus was really nice against Admiral/GA AI on top of everything else it gave, but I haven't warmed up to the new harmony tree yet even though the home bonus is still there. I tend to start Discovery too, though I'll entertain the idea of Expansion if there's 3+ big or special planets nearby. I've turned off guaranteed worlds so nothing is set in stone, but when I get lucky I like to jump on it.

[Mistfox]

Expansion. With the bloody slow pop growth rate, that +1 pop is invaluable.

[Bright]

I like Discovery. As for the perk, whats it called, It reduces the influence cost to build new starbases. Lets me expand super quick.

[MightyFox]

Discovery and Expansion are still really solid first tradition choices. Even though the devs did make the others more palletable in comparison, they still don't really hold a flame to those two, especially since they still have diminishing returns depending on how late into the game you are. (Dicovery's diminishing returns is actually pretty severe)

As far as perks, Mastery of Nature can be really strong if you plan ahead. Intestellar Dominion is still good if your'e playing a warlord. Everyone seems to love the edicts one. And Technological Ascendency is just all-round solid.

[Fartikus]

I like the Diplomacy one so I can make friends much more easily. I usually hit that one right after Discovery. But I might switch over to Expansion to boost the bloody slow pop growth that mistfox referred to upthread.

[Lexon]

Thank you for your response everyone.