Stellaris developers have updated the public beta branch of version 4.5 “Cygnus”. The fifth patch brings a series of changes affecting space station weapons, factions, balance, and the operation of single game mechanics.
The main innovations are the redesign of the Starbase, Orbital Ring and Waystation weapon modules. They are now tied to specific types of weapons and corresponding technologies, and they automatically improve as new levels are researched. The station weapon selection policy also provides options for explosives and assault ships, and automatic design will take the selected preferences into account.
The developers haven’t forgotten about Nomad Empire. They will now be able to enter into agreements with certain psychic ascension sponsors and receive rewards tailored to the Ark. At the same time, the system for co-opting factions also received a serious revamp: they can be promoted and suppressed individually, even with the same moral code, and organizations that lose potential members no longer disappear immediately.
There’s also a lot of movement on the balance sheet. The Cradle of Souls aura has received new mechanics, with synthetic consciousness now providing bonuses to mechanical pop productivity, and ships and cloned space fauna with mineral costs unable to be built at critical operational reserve levels. Additionally, the Dimension Manipulator now creates a fixed five zones instead of the previous 33% bonus.
The developers also did a great job quantity insect