3.14 Guide to Traits, Ethics, Origins, Civics, Traditions and APs

This guide extensively explains, rates, and ranks all ethics, traits, origins, civics, traditions, and ascension perks to consider when creating a custom empire, using the Stellaris Tier Lists created by Montu Plays on YouTube.

Created as a replacement while the 3.8 Guide to Traits, Ethics, Origins, Civics, Traditions and APs by Boyscout is on hiatus, which is itself originally inspired by the Beginner's Guide to Ethics, Traits, and Governments[forum.paradoxplaza.com] made by "GAGA Extrem" on the Paradox Forum.

Updated for 3.14 "Circinus" and all expansions up to and including Grand Archive.

(I) Introduction

Welcome to the _Guide to Traits, Ethics, Origins, Civics, Traditions, and APs_.

This is a more up to date rework of the original guide by Boyscout, which is itself originally inspired by the Beginner's Guide to Ethics, Traits and Governments[forum.paradoxplaza.com] made by "GAGA Extrem" on the Paradox Forum.

However, it is a tier list only. For a more in-depth guide, refer to the Stellaris Tier Lists by Montu Plays, which this overview is based on.

This guide is currently updated for version 3.14 "Circinus" and the Leviathans, Utopia, Synthetic Dawn, Apocalypse, Distant Stars, MegaCorp, Ancient Relics, Federations, Nemesis, Overlord, First Contact, Galactic Paragons, Astral Planes, The Machine Age, Cosmic Storms and Grand Archive expansions, as well as the Plantoids, Humanoids, Lithoids, Necroids, Aquatics and Toxoids species packs.

(II) Species Traits

--- Positive Traits

(S+): Budding, Crystallization, Pre-Planned Growth

(S): Adaptive Frames, Augmented Intelligence, Clone Soldier Ascendant, Conversational AI, Dark Matter Engines, Elevated Synapses, Enigmatic Fortress, Erudite, Exotic Fuel Consumption, Fertile, Immortal, Intelligent, Invasive Species, Living Metal Augmentations, Mass-Produced, Thrifty, Nannybot, Natural Engineers, Natural Machinist, Natural Physicists, Necrophage, Rare Crystal Exterior, Scavenger Bot, Synthetic Salvation, Vat-Grown, Void Dwellers, Zero-G Optimized

(S-): Incubators

(A+): Phototrophic, Zombie

(A): Charismatic, Delicious, Emotion Emulators, Felsic, Infinity Sphere, Logic Engines, Matrix Trading, Natural Sociologists, Rapid Breeders, Research Assistants, Scintillating Skin, Spliced Adaptability, Trading Algorithms, Voidling, Waterproof

(A-): Aquatic, Enduring, Robust, Survivor

(B): Ancient Dreadnought, Clone Soldier, Crafted Smiles, Domestic Protocols, Engineering Core, Existential Iteroparity, Gaseous Byproducts, Gene Mentorship, Inquisitive Axioms, Loyalty Circuits, Monoform, Nerve Stapled, Serviles, Talented, Traditional, Volatile Excretions

(B-): Adaptive, Efficient Processors, Excessive Endurance, Exotic Metabolism, Perfected Genes, Superconductive, Volatile Mote Reactor

(C+): Docile, Streamlined Protocols

(C): Agrarian, Cave Dweller, Clone Soldier Descendent, Conformists, Dedicated Miner, Drake Scaled, Durable, Enhanced Memory, Farm Appendages, Ingenious, Juiced Power, Lithoid, Nomadic, Physics Core, Radiotrophic, Recycled, Strong, Technical Talent

(C-): Eternal Machine, Extremely Adaptive, Power Drills

(F+): Communal, Conservationist, Low Maintenance, Mote-powered Tools

(F): Biomimetic Assembly, Double-Jointed, Expressed Tradition, Industrious, Inorganic Breath, Integrated Weaponry, Noxious, Propaganda Machines, Quick Learners, Reawakened, Resilient, Shielded Components, Sociology Core, Suppressed, Very Strong, War Machine, Workerbots

(F-): Art Generator, Harvesters, Learning Algorithms, Venerable

--- Negative Traits

(S+): Deviants

(S): Bulky, Solitary

(S-): Luxurious, Unruly

(A): Deviants, Scarcity Subroutines, Wasteful (for biological empires)

(A-): High Bandwidth, Sedentary

(B): Decadent (for biological empires), Repurposed Hardware, Quarrelsome, Weak

(B-): Jinxed

(C+): Fleeting, Slow Learners

(C): Decadent (for machine empires), Delicate Chassis, High Maintenance, Psychological Infertility, Wasteful (for machine empires)

(F+): Nonadaptive

(F): Custom-Made, Repugnant, Slow Breeders, Uncanny

(III) Origins

(S): Arc Welders, Clone Army, Imperial Fiefdom, Progenitor Hive, Scion, Shattered Ring (machine empire), Synthetic Fertility, Teachers of the Shroud, Voidforged

(A): Doomsday (machine empire), Cybernetic Creed, Mechanist, Prosperous Unification, Resource Consolidation, Syncretic Evolution, Void Dweller

(B): Calamitous Birth, Common Ground, Galactic Doorstep, Hegemon, Knights of the Toxic God, Life-Seeded (machine empire), Necrophage, Overtuned, Remnants, Tree of Life

(C): Here Be Dragons, Lost Colony, Ocean Paradise, On the Shoulders of Giants, Post-Apocalyptic, Shattered Ring (non-machine empire), Slingshot to the Stars, Syncretic Evolution, Treasure Hunters, Under One Rule

(F): Broken Shackles, Doomsday (non-machine empire), Fear of the Dark, Fruitful Partnership, Life-Seeded (non-machine empire), Payback, Primal Calling, Riftworld, Storm Chasers, Subterranean

(IV) Government Ethics

(S+) Fanatic Materialist

(S): Fanatic Xenophobe

(A+): Authoritarian, Materialist

(A): Xenophobe, Gestalt Consciousness

(A-): Spiritualist

(B): Fanatic Authoritarian, Egalitarian

(B-): Fanatic Spiritualist, Militarist, Fanatic Militarist, Pacifist

(C): Fanatic Egalitarian

(F+): Fanatic Pacifist

(F): Fanatic Xenophile, Xenophile

(V) Civics

(SSS): Naval Contractors, Rogue Servitor

(S): Ascetic, Catalytic Processing, Devouring Swarm, Driven Assimilator, Franchising, Free Traders, Indentured Assets, Mastercraft Inc., Meritocracy, Rapid Replicator, Subspace Empath

(S-): Natural Neural Network, Parliamentary System, Static Research Analysis

(A+): Barbaric Despoilers, Citizen Service, Gospel of the Masses, Permutation Pools

(A): Anglers, Brand Loyalty, Constructobot, Cordyceptic Drones, Determined Exterminator, Distinguished Admiralty, Introspective, Masterful Crafters, Permanent Employment, Sovereign Guardianship, Terravore

(A-): Death Cult, Fanatic Purifiers

(B+): Beacon of Liberty, Cutthroat Politics, Relentless Industrialists

(B): Corporate Death Cult, Empath, Maintenance Protocols, Media Conglomerate, Memorialists, Mining Guilds, One Mind, Oppressive Autocracy, Philosopher King, Public Relations Specialists, Reanimators, Rockbreakers, Scavengers, Trading Posts, Unitary Cohesion

(B-): Functional Architecture, Hyperspace Specialty, Inward Perfection, Private Prospectors

(C+): Ascensionists, OTA Updates, Subsumed Will

(C): Aristocratic Elite, Catalytic Recyclers, Corporate Hedonism, Criminal Heritage, Crusader Spirit, Dark Consortium, Delegated Functions, Feudal Society, Hyper Lubrication Basin, Idealistic Foundation, Idyllic Bloom, Memorialist, Nationalistic Zeal, Organic Reprocessing (hive mind empire), Police State, Private Military Companies, Shared Burdens, Slaver Guilds, Strength of Legions, Vaults of Knowledge, Warbots

(C-): Agrarian Idyll, Imperial Cult, Technocracy

(F+) Divided Attention, Elevational Hypothesis, Environmentalist

(F): Byzantine Bureaucracy, Corvée System, Decadent Lifestyle, Dimensional Worship, Diplomatic Corps, Eager Explorers, Efficient Bureaucracy, Elevational Contemplations, Exalted Priesthood, Factory Overclocking, Free Haven, Heroic Past, Merchant Guilds, Mutagenic Spas, Organic Reprocessing (machine empire), Pleasure Seekers, Pompous Purists, Pooled Knowledge, Selective Kinship, Shadow Council, Warrior Culture, Zero-Waste Protocols

(F-): Ruthless Competition

(VI) Leader Traits

--- Councillors

(S): Armada Logistician, Bot Lord, Champion of the People, Feedback Loop, Fertility Preacher, Fleet Organizer, Gale-Speed, Genius Armorer, Home Guard, Hyper Focus, Inquisitor, Navy Instructor, Politician, Ruthless Developer, Shroud Preacher, Skirmisher, Spark of Genius, Truth Seeker

(A): Architectural Sense, Charisma, Esteemed Quartermaster, Expertise: Industry, Expertise: Particles, Expertise: Voidcraft, Great Researcher, Hostility, Investor, Logistic Understanding, Military Overseer, Perceptive Mentor, Principled, Reformer, Research Exchange, Retired Fleet Officer, Spiteful

(B): Architect of War, Archivist, Blabbermouth, Deep Connections, Expertise: Computing, Expertise: Field Manipulation, Expertise: Materials, Expertise: Propulsion, Eye for Talent, Fortifier, Fortress Cracker, Gray Eminence, Gravitas, Guerilla Tactician, Herald of the Empire, Master Gunner, Military Pioneer, Mutual Support, Peacekeeper, Planetary Analyst, Resilient Commander, Shield of the Empire, Unified Focus, Utopian Idealist

(C): All-knowing, Border Guard, Brilliant Shipwright, Charmer, Defense Engineer, Detail-Oriented, Driven Educator, Elite Benefactor, Entourage, Expertise: Biology, Expertise: Military Theory, Expertise: New Worlds, Expertise: Statecraft, Galvanizer, Guardian, Intimidator, Master Bureaucrat, Master Diplomat, Mining Rush, Opportunist, Overseer, Shady Contacts, Supreme Warrior

(F): Academic Recruiter, Army Veteran, Cartographer, Chainbreaker, Consul-General, Defense Èngineer, Entrepreneur, Expansionist, Expeditionist, Expertise: Archaeostudies, Expertise: Psionics, From the Ranks, Frontier Adventurer, Frontier Spirit, Grand Taskmaster, Honored Warmaster, Recruiter, Shadow Broker, Shipwright, Spycraft, Urbanist, Vibrant Storyteller, Xeno Cataloger, Xeno-Mediator, Xenolinguist

--- Non-councillors

(S): Aggressiveness, Artillerist, Artillery Focus, Assembler, Collaborator, Eagerness, Efficient Staffing, Engineering Focus, Forge Focused, Guidance System Focus, Manufacturer, Material Liberator, Perfectionist, Physics Focus, Prudence, Scrapper, Trickster, Unifier, Unyielding, Wrecker

(A): Carrier Focus, Celebrity, Commanding Presence, Competence, Entrepreneur, Factory Focused, Generator Focused, Iron Fist, Jury-Rigger, Mine Focused, Prospector, Riftwalker, Salvager, Settler, Shipbreaker, Society Focus

(B): Adaptionist, Agriculture Focused, Antiquarian, Archaeologist, Architectural Interest, Butcher, Carefulness, Crusader, Energy Mogul, Engineer, Geology Expert, Gunship Focus, Joint Exercise, Planar Theorist, Private Mines, Refinery Focused, Reinforcer, Surgical Bombardment, Trade Focused

(C): Annihilator, Custom AI Assistant, Demolisher, Distribution Manager, Environmental Engineer, Excavator, Greeter, Hardiness, Homesteader, Interrogator, Intuition, Naturalist, Peacemaker, Resilience, Righteous, Roamer, Scout

(F): Adventurous Spirit, Agrarian Upbringing, Archaeotech Focus, Camaraderie, Conscription Agent, Dread, Enlister, Evasiveness, Focus: Bureaucratic Surveillance, Focus: Defense Privatization, Focus: Divinity of Life, Focus: Ecological Protection, Focus: Galactic Commerce, Focus: Galactic Reforms, Focus: Industrial Development, Focus: Intergalactic Directives, Focus: Mutual Defense, Focus: Pre-FTL Stance, Focus: Politics Traditions, Focus: Rules of War, Focus: Sanctions, Focus: The Greater Good, Focus: Unchained Knowledge, Heavy Hitter, Martinet, Observer, Tuner, Warden

(VII) Council Positions

(S): Astral Minister, Curator Archivist, Director of Trade, Divine Conduit, First Citadel, First Warden, Head of Research, Lord Commander, Lord High Admiral, Minister of Defense, Minister of the Seas, Minister of War Production, Principal Catalyst, Speaker of Parliament, Trader Liaison, Tribune of Rights

(A): Arbiter of Duels, Chairman of Mines, Hyperlane Supervisor, Lord Chancellor, Master Scrapper, Minister of Exploration, Ruler, Standard Bearer

(B): Apostle of Death, Bloom Herald, Grand Storyteller, Labor Intendant, Master Crafter, Master Salvager, Minister of State, Primary Overseer, Principal Instructor, Shadow Weaver, Watcher of the Imperium

(C): Chief of Secret Police, Commander of the Watch, Elder Farmer, Grand Marshal, High Ambassador, High Curator, Keeper of the Vaults, Lord Steward, Minister of Ascension, Minister of Extravagance, Prime Herald, Speaker for the Kin, Shroudwalker Teacher

(F): Administrative Coordinator, Archpriest, Chief Extraction Officer, Chief Herald of Arms, Chief of Service, Employment Commissioner, Head Arbiter, Integration Facilitator, Labor Magistrate, Master Architect, Master Necromancer, Prime Speaker, Protector of Liberty, Senior Science Director, Shadow Councilor, Superintendent, Warden of the Baths

(IX) Traditions

(S): Enmity, Expansion (for Void Dweller empires), Mercantile (for trade focused empires), Supremacy, Virtuality

(A): Adaptability, Discovery, Domination (for Gestalt Consciousness empires), Harmony, Modularity, Nanotech, Statecraft, Synchronicity (for Gestalt Consciousness empires)

(B): Cybernetics, Diplomacy, Expansion, Mercantile, Prosperity, Psionics, Unyielding, Versatile

(C): Domination, Subterfuge, Synchronicity, Synthetics

(F): Aptitude, Genetics, Politics

(X) Ascension Perks

(SSS) Synthetic Age

(S+) One Vision

(S): Arcology Project, Colossus Project, Cosmogenesis, Defender of the Galaxy, Galactic Nemesis, Hive Worlds, Machine Worlds, Master Builders, Mind over Matter, Organo-Machine Interfacing, The Flesh is Weak

(A+): Engineered Evolution, Galactic Force Projection, Imperial Prerogative, Nihilistic Acquisition, Technological Ascendancy

(A): Galactic Wonders

(B): Galatic Contender, Lord of War, Mechromancy, Voidborne, World Shaper, Xeno-Compatibility

(B-): Eternal Vigilance

(C): Consecrated Worlds, Grasp the Void, Hydrocentric, Mastery of Nature, Universal Transactions

(F): Archaeo-Engineers, Detox, Shared Destiny, Transcendent Learing

(F-): Enigmatic Engineering, Executive Vigor, Interstellar Dominion

(XI) Megastructures

(S): Arc Furnace, Synaptic Lathe

(A): Dyson Sphere, Grand Archive, Matter Decompressor

(B): Dyson Swarm, Ringworld, Science Nexus, Strategic Coordination Center

(C): Mega Shipyard, Quantum Catapult

(F): Interstellar Assembly, Mega-Art Installation, Sentry Array

(XII) Astral Actions

(S): Astral Boost, Gain Hyper Relay Insight, Lateral Artifacting

(A): Astral Splitting, Gain Physics Insight, Planar Mastery

(B): Dimensional Lock, Flash Forge Hyper Relay, Folding Hyperspace, Summon Dimensional Fleet

(C): Astral Siphon, Dimensional Shifting

(F): Astral Calibration, Gain Quantum Catapult Insight

(XIII) Edicts

(S): Ambition: A Grand Fleet, Ambitition: Architectural Renaissance, Ambition: Scientific Revolution, Ambition: Will to Power, Capacity Subsidies, Encourage Political Thought, Evacuation Protocol (short use), Exotic Gases as Fuel, Exotic Gases for Shield Boost, Information Quarantine, Living Metal Mega-Construction, Mining Subsidies, Peace Festivals, Sight Beyond Sight, Volatile Reactive Armor

(A): Ambition: Desperate Measures, Damn the Consequences, Diplomatic Grants (short use), Education Campaign, Fear Campaign, Fleet Supremacy (short use), Focusing Crystals, Nanite Actuators, Networked Amenities, Numistic Visualization, Nutritional Plentitude, Veneration of Saints, Volatile Ammunition, Volatile Explosives, Volatile Land Clearance (short use)

(B): Ambition: Omnifarious Acquisition, Bureau of Espionage, Crystalline Sensor (short use), Extended Shifts, Fortify the Border, Map the Stars, Networked Dominance

(C): Ambition: Fortress Proclamation, Ambition: Hearts and Minds, Drone Overdrive, Farming Subsidies, Forge Subsidies, Greater Than Ourselves, Land of Opportunity, Networked Movement, Research Subsidies, Terraforming Gases

(F): Enhanced Surveillance, Industrial Maintenance, Industrial Subsidies, Synaptic Reinforcement, Thought Enforcemenmt, Tracking Implants

(XIV) Ship Components

--- Defenses

(S): Afterburner, Combat Computer (Artillery), Combat Computer (Torpedo), Ancient Pulse Armor, Living Reactive Armor, Neutronium Armor, Mark of the Instrument, Quantum Destabilizer, Target Acquisition Array

(A): Combat Computer (Carrier), Enigmatic Decoder, Psionic Shield, Mark of the Composer, Nanite Repair System, Regenerative Hull Tissue, Shield Dampener, Strike Command, Subspace Snare

(B): Shield Hardener, Auxiliary Fire Control, Inspiring Presence, Dark Matter Deflectors, Ancient Suspension Field, Hyper Shields, Mark of the Eater, Nanobot Cloud, Shield Hardener, Subspace Amplifier

(C): Combat Computer (Line), Combat Computer (Swarm), ECM Emitters, Cloaking Field Generator, Crystal-Forged Plating, Mark of the Whisperers, Shield Capacitor, Targeting Grid

(F): Reactor Booster, Combat Computer (Picket), Ancient Target Scrambler, Enigmatic Encoder, Crystal-Infused Plating, Munitions Plant, Orbital Trash Dispenser

--- Weapons

(S): Ancient Driller Drones, Ancient Nano-Missile Cloud Launcher, Devastator Torpedoes, Phased Disruptor, Whirlwind Missiles

(A): Advanced Strike Craft, Gamma Laser, Kinetic Artillery, Marauder Missiles, Scourge Missile, Swarm Strikers, Tachyon Lance

(B): Ancient Cavitation Collapser, Ancient Defensive Web Slinger, Ancient Ruination Glare, Amoeba Flagella, Flak Artillery, Focused Arc Emitter, Plasma Cannon, Matter Disintegrator, Neutron Launchers,

(C): Ancient Saturator Artilery, Cloud Lightning, Cutting Laser, Gauss Cannon, Giga Cannon, Guardian Point-Defense, Perdition Beam, Stormfire Autocannon

(F): Ancient Macro Batteries, Energy Siphon, Null Void Beam

(XV) Precursors

(S): Cybrex

(A): Vultaum, Zroni

(B): Baol, First League

(C): Yuht

(F): Irassian

(XVI) Overlord Holdings

(S): Aid Agency, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Extraction, Ministry of Science, Ministry of Truth, Sacrificial Shrine

(A): Ministry of Acquisition, Organic Haven, Overlord Garrison, Splinter Hive, Vigil Command

(B): Communal Housing Outreach, Offspring Nest, Satellite Campus, Tree of Life Sapling

(C): Emporium, Gaia Seeder Outpost, Ranger Lodge, Recruitment Office, Reemployment Center

(F): Distributed Processing, Experimental Crater, Noble Chateaus, Offworld Foundry, Orbital Assembly Complex

(XVII) Federations

(S): Trade League, Galactic Custodianship

(A): Hegemony, Galactic Imperium

(B): Research Cooperative

(C): Martial Alliance

(F): Federation

(XVIII) Galactic Community Resolutions

(S): A United Front, Crisis Declaration, Form the Galactic Market, Galactic Defense Force, Galactic Mobilization, GDF Expansion, Imperial Crusade, Industrial Development, Nominate Custodian, Unchained Knowledge

(A): Change Council Size: 1, Interstellar Navigation Agency, Pax Galactica, Permanent Council Seat, Proclaim the Galactic Imperium, Remove Custodianship Term Limit

(B): Bureaucratic Surveillance, Divinity of Life, Galactic Trade Organization, Imperial Charter, The Greater Good, Form Galactic Council, Military Sanctions

(C): Ecological Protection, Economic Sanctions, Galactic Commerce, Imperial Security Directorate, Intergalactic Directives, Introduce Galactic Standard, Mutual Defense, Research Sanctions

(F): Allow Organic Slave Trade, Anti-Piracy Initiative, Ban Organic Slave Trade, Ban Sentient Slave Trade, Defense Privatization, GALPOL, Rules of War, Space Amoeba Protection Act, Tiyanki Conservation Act, Tiyanki Pest Control

(XIX) Planet Types

(S): Hive, Machine, Ecumenopolis

(A): Gaia, Relic, Habitat, Ringworld

(B): Frozen, Dry

(C): Wet, Shattered

(F): Tomb

(XX) Relics

(S): Cybrex War Forge, Khan's Throne, The Rubricator

(A): Blade of the Huntress, The Galatron, The Last Baol

(B): Miniature Galaxy, The Defragmentor, Scales of the Worm, Vultaum Reality Perforator, Yuht Cryo Core

(C): Ether Drake Trophy, Head of Zarqlan, Isolated Contingency Core, Psionic archive, The Omnicodex, The Surveyor

(F): Extradimensional Warlock, Javorian Pox Sample, Prethoryn Brood-Queen

[Elder]

I still cannot see the perks of authoritarian vs egalitarian at all. Eg has the best civics and best government types and no leader penalty like auth.

[ferreirajc87]

Boyscout has Knights at S tier yet you have them at B tier?

[Code]

Quomodo te habes?

[ilabsentuser]

Ruthless Developer in the councilor section... That trait is not for councilors, I think it never was. There are also several mistakes in this guide, take with a grain of salt.

[Izamu]

Can't find Void Hive anywhere in the Civics lists?

[Adam]

Eager explorers is slept on tbh it's not the greatest but it's also not an F tier maybe like a C or C-/C+ depending on who you ask

[FollowTheBlu]

for ethics there is fanatic authoritarian but not authoritarian

[Argure]

Anglers should only be in the A tier, updated. Thanks!

[Kempeorlaxan]

why "Anglers" is in A tear as well as F tier in civics?

[Banshi987]

ну конечно машины мвп sкласс турбо супер гига убер нагиб
никогда такого не было и вот опять