My opinion(s) on playing non-devouring hive mind (not machine).

[Jinette Rufflepaws]

Preface

Before I go into the actual topic, I wish to point out my experience with the game as a whole. I bought Stellaris in early 2018, when apocalypse was not released just yet. I remember it's release saw the addition of starbases, fleet command limit, war exhaustion, and the removal of weapon and FTL specialization at the start of the game. It was very annoying to adjust, to the point I often just played only "tall" because I just couldn't be bothered by the new upkeep. I eventually stopped playing, mostly because most of my 'friends' stopped and I moved on.

I now return with 2.7 and again I had to adjust to major changes, but some of them I actually like. I like the new origin system the most, with second favorite being megacorps that exists in other space games (EVE Online). I used to role-play as a reptilian autocratic theocracy slaving mammalians with syncretic evolution. This time though, I decided to play hive mind. While making the new empire I noticed the "Tree of Life" origin and realized what I needed to play as.

I created an empathic tree of life hive mind empire that focused on diplomacy. It is very fun, more than I did as a normal empire after 2.0 released. However, I noticed some "dated" things about playing as hive mind that I feel should be changed or removed as it makes little sense to me.

First

Why do hive minds get -30 opinion on all other empires except other gestalts? It should be just 0 since unless the hive mind is aggressive then nobody should be automatically "not okay" with them. Empath does not even remove the entire penalty, leaving still -10 opinion for a "nice" hive. I get that every space fantasy has an "evil hive" (cylon, zerg, borg, etc), but it is a tired trope. Devouring Swarm exists and playing as that means EVERYONE is your enemy, so such suggestion does not ruin or even affect it play style and is more of a role-play irk than balance.

Second

Why is genetic evolution the only available ascension path? Why is psionic not available? It certainly isn't for balance reason, min-max players always pick synthetic since they're OP. My hive is "empathic", awesome, how about also psionic too? Using supernatural abilities that help with diplomacy or warfare since that path is about reading other people, outside of the hive. While at it, why are any of the ascension paths limited for hive minds? It just arbitrary limitation, there is no balance argument for it (machine intelligence still overpowered anyway).

I love the game, and I will continue to love the game, but it would be nice to feel less directed by the developers down a path while playing as hive mind. Perhaps more distinct hives please.

[dustfang61]

i feel the same way about playing any hive machine mind games, the game isnt really tallerd for them at all, i mean their are quest that pop up that doesnt make since with the wording and the like. in my opinon they need to rework it sooner or later.

[Chap]

you are wondering why empires (who are made up of individual people) distrust the completely alien hive mind comprised of biological machines with no emotions and who you can never be sure what their true intentions are?. well xenophobes really do have a point because hive minds have the most unknowable mind of all

[Jinette Rufflepaws]

Originally posted by Ayo:

you are wondering why empires (who are made up of individual people) distrust the completely alien hive mind comprised of biological machines with no emotions and who you can never be sure what their true intentions are?. well xenophobes really do have a point because hive minds have the most unknowable mind of all

So in 2200 we'll still be pointing guns at things we don't understand? Only makes "some" sense.

Xenophobes & Egalitarians would appropriately find hives abhorrent, but every other empire should be neutral or even favoring. Xenophiles should be fascinated by hives, and authoritarians are literally forceful anti-individualism so should not find hives as bad considering the ideals.

[Катя Мяу <3]

I agree that hiveminds should not be excluded from other ascension paths. The description of the hive world planet even reads that its psionically connected to the hive. So clearly they are capable of doing it.

[utilityguy]

Originally posted by Jinette Rufflepaws:

Originally posted by Ayo:

you are wondering why empires (who are made up of individual people) distrust the completely alien hive mind comprised of biological machines with no emotions and who you can never be sure what their true intentions are?. well xenophobes really do have a point because hive minds have the most unknowable mind of all

So in 2200 we'll still be pointing guns at things we don't understand? Only makes "some" sense.

If the rate of Fanatic Purifiers/xenophobic empires in real life matches what i've seen produced from the Stellaris community ever since the game's launch, we better be lol.

[Jinette Rufflepaws]

Originally posted by utilityguy:

Originally posted by Jinette Rufflepaws:

So in 2200 we'll still be pointing guns at things we don't understand? Only makes "some" sense.

If the rate of Fanatic Purifiers/xenophobic empires in real life matches what i've seen produced from the Stellaris community ever since the game's launch, we better be lol.

Going to assume you mean how threatening they are in Stellaris due to players not forming alliances against them because of nonsensical self-concerned mentality that dooms them.

Total war empires can't have allies, aside exploits, so they could die off pretty quick if the game was played properly in the perspective of their empires (not players). Federation victory exists, but is hardly ever taken advantage of because "there can only be one" attitude. From my perspective: I don't have to win, I just just have to not lose (death).