Technology modding

Version

This article has been verified for the current PC version (3.1) of the game.

The technology game data can be found in these files/folders:

• Stellaris/common/technology

It is possible to mod in new technologies, or "erase" old ones.

Technology File Overview

# These are simply constants that can be used to assign technologies to right cost for each tier easily. You can add your own as well.
@example_cost = 1000
@tier1cost1 = 500
@tier1weight1 = 100

technology_name = {
	# Code name of the technology. This is referred to in other files that unlock things via technology, such as 00_spaceport_modules.txt.

	cost = @tier1cost1
	# This sets the cost of the technology in research points.
	# Parameters: constant, integer

	area = society
	# The area of technology this belongs to.
	# Parameters: physics, society, engineering

	tier = 1
	# Each technology is split into tiers.
	# You need to have researched 5 technologies within one tier to see any technologies of the next tier above. There are five tiers.
	# Parameters: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, found in 00_tiers.txt

	category = { biology }
	# The category of technology. Scientists with modifiers for this category will research this technology quicker/slower.
	# Parameters: category_name found in 00_category.txt

	levels = -1
	# Controls the number of levels this technology has. -1 means it is repeatable.
	# Parameters: integer, -1

	cost_per_level = @repeatableTechLevelCost
	# Controls the cost per level of this technology.
	# Parameters: constant, integer

	prerequisites = { "prerequisite_technology" }
	# This technology requires "tech_eco_simulation" to have been researched before it will appear as an option
	# Parameters: technology_name

	weight = @tier1weight1
	# This is the initial weighting of the technology used to determine whether or not the technology should appear as an option.
	# Parameters: constant, integer

	gateway = biological
	# a flavor-text-only entry that shows what kind of technology is behind this tech.

	ai_update_type = military
	# controls AI auto-updating, ai_update_type will make the AI to update existing military ship designs and starbases,
	# and if update type is all, civilian ships and stations will also be updated.
	# Parameters: military, all

	start_tech = yes/no
	# Defines this technology as a starting technology

	modifier = { }
	# Contains any modifiers this technology directly changes.

	feature_flags = { my_tech_flag }
	# flavor-text-only entries that tells the player what does this tech do.
	# the localisation key "my_tech_flag" is used for this and "my_tech_flag_desc" is used for the tooltip.
	# All feature_flags are hardcoded, you cannot create new ones.

	prereqfor_desc = {
		ship = {
			title = "EXAMPLE_TECH_TITLE"
			desc = "EXAMPLE_TECH_DESC"
		}
	}
	# This is used to add localisation telling the player that this technology is a prerequisite for another important technology

	potential = {
	}
	# If this block is evaluated false, this tech can't be drawn as an option.
	# DLC exclusive techs are hidden this way.

	weight_modifier = {
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.5
			has_ethic = ethic_pacifist
		}
	}
	# These are the weighting modifier used to determine how likely this technology is drawn as an option.
	# If weight is multiplied by 0, this tech can't be drawn as an option, but can still be given by scripts and console commands.

	ai_weight = {
		factor = 1.5
		modifier = {
			factor = 2
			has_ethic = ethic_pacifist
		}
	}
	# These are the ai weighting modifiers used to by the AI to determine how likely it will research this technology.

	weight_groups = {
		repeatable
	}
	# This is a weight group to be used later

	mod_weight_if_group_picked = {
		repeatable = 0.01
	}
	# Weight of this technology is multiplied by each value if another technology from respective weight group have already been drawn as an option
	# In this case, if there is already a repeatable tech drawn as an option, this tech is 0.01 times likely to be drawn.
}

List of standard techs

Here are lists for all standard Techs with key, name and tier:

Tech Engineering

Key	Name	Tier
tech_basic_industry	Industrial Base	0
tech_space_construction	Offworld Construction	0
tech_ship_armor_1	Nanocomposite Materials	0
tech_flak_batteries_1	Flak Battery	0
tech_thrusters_1	Chemical Thrusters	0
tech_missiles_1	Nuclear Missiles	0
tech_mass_drivers_1	Mass Drivers	0
tech_starbase_2	Starport	0
tech_corvettes	Corvettes	0
tech_mechanized_mining	Mechanized Mining	0
tech_space_exploration	Space Exploration	0
tech_solar_panel_network	Orbital Energy Conversion	0
tech_starbase_1	Starbase Construction	0
tech_space_defense_station_1	Deep Space Defenses	0
tech_assault_armies	Interplanetary Expeditionary Forces	0
tech_mining_1	Geothermal Fracking	1
tech_mineral_purification_1	Mineral Purification	1
tech_powered_exoskeletons	Powered Exoskeletons	1
tech_robotic_workers	Robotic Workers	1
tech_robomodding	Machine Template System	1
tech_robomodding_m	Machine Template System	1
tech_luxuries_1	Nano-Circuit Assembly	1
tech_alloys_1	Holographic Casts	1
tech_space_mining_1	Zero-G Refineries	1
tech_space_mining_2	Long-Range Mineral Scanners	1
tech_engineering_1	Nanomechanics	1
tech_assembly_pattern	Assembly Patterns	1
tech_ship_armor_2	Ceramo-Metal Materials	1
tech_afterburners_1	Afterburners	1
tech_missiles_2	Fusion Missiles	1
tech_mass_drivers_2	Coilguns	1
tech_strike_craft_1	Carrier Operations	1
tech_corvette_hull_1	Improved Corvette Hulls	1
tech_corvette_build_speed	Standardized Corvette Patterns	1
tech_mining_2	Deep Core Mining	2
tech_mineral_purification_2	Advanced Mineral Purification	2
tech_robomodding_points_1	Cross-Model Standardization	2
tech_droid_workers	Droids	2
tech_exotic_gases	Exotic Gas Refining	2
tech_rare_crystals	Rare Crystal Manufacturing	2
tech_space_mining_3	Mineral Cutting Beams	2
tech_space_mining_4	Autonomous Mining Drones	2
tech_mine_betharian	Betharian Refining	2
tech_mine_exotic_gases	Exotic Gas Extraction	2
tech_mine_rare_crystals	Rare Crystal Mining	2
tech_engineering_2	Supersolid Materials	2
tech_housing_1	Weather Control Systems	2
tech_micro_replicators	Micro-Replicators	2
tech_advanced_metallurgy_1	Ceramo-Metal Alloys	2
tech_ship_armor_3	Plasteel Materials	2
tech_thrusters_2	Ion Thrusters	2
tech_missiles_3	Antimatter Missiles	2
tech_swarmer_missiles_1	Swarmer Missiles	2
tech_torpedoes_1	Space Torpedoes	2
tech_mass_drivers_3	Railguns	2
tech_autocannons_1	Autocannons	2
tech_strike_craft_2	Improved Strike Craft	2
tech_starbase_3	Starhold	2
tech_defense_platform_hull_1	Improved Structural Integrity	2
tech_modular_engineering	Modular Engineering	2
tech_destroyers	Destroyers	2
tech_destroyer_hull_1	Improved Destroyer Hulls	2
tech_destroyer_build_speed	Standardized Destroyer Patterns	2
tech_corvette_hull_2	Advanced Corvette Hulls	2
tech_nanite_transmutation	Nanite Transmutation	2
tech_repeatable_lcluster_clue	L-Gate Insight	2
tech_mining_3	Mineral Isolation	3
tech_binary_motivators	Binary Motivators	3
tech_luxuries_2	Replicator Kiosks	3
tech_alloys_2	Nano-Separators	3
tech_space_mining_5	Nanite Mineral Probes	3
tech_construction_templates	Construction Templates	3
tech_paradise_dome	Idyllic Architecture	3
tech_housing_2	Anti-Gravity Engineering	3
tech_self_assembling_components	Self-Assembling Components	3
tech_ship_armor_4	Durasteel Materials	3
tech_flak_batteries_2	Flak Cannons	3
tech_afterburners_2	Advanced Afterburners	3
tech_thrusters_3	Plasma Thrusters	3
tech_missiles_4	Quantum Missiles	3
tech_torpedoes_2	Armored Torpedoes	3
tech_mass_drivers_4	Advanced Railguns	3
tech_kinetic_artillery_1	Kinetic Battery	3
tech_autocannons_2	Ripper Cannons	3
tech_strike_craft_3	Advanced Strike Craft	3
tech_space_defense_station_improvement	Corps of Engineers	3
tech_orbital_ring_tier_1	Orbital Rings	3
tech_starbase_4	Star Fortress	3
tech_habitat_1	Orbital Habitats	3
tech_destroyer_hull_2	Advanced Destroyer Hulls	3
tech_cruisers	Cruisers	3
tech_cruiser_build_speed	Standardized Cruiser Patterns	3
tech_cruiser_hull_1	Improved Cruiser Hulls	3
tech_robomodding_points_2	Fungible Circuitry	4
tech_synthetic_workers	Synthetics	4
tech_synthetic_leaders	Synthetic Personality Matrix	4
tech_nanite_assemblers	Nanite Assemblers	4
tech_mega_assembly	Mega-Assembly Systems	4
tech_engineering_3	Superfluid Materials	4
tech_advanced_metallurgy_2	Durasteel-Laced Alloys	4
tech_ship_armor_5	Neutronium Materials	4
tech_flak_batteries_3	Flak Artillery	4
tech_thrusters_4	Impulse Thrusters	4
tech_missiles_5	Marauder Missiles	4
tech_swarmer_missiles_2	Whirlwind Missiles	4
tech_torpedoes_3	Devastator Torpedoes	4
tech_kinetic_artillery_2	Kinetic Artillery	4
tech_mass_accelerator_1	Mega Cannon	4
tech_mass_accelerator_2	Giga Cannon	4
tech_mass_drivers_5	Gauss Cannons	4
tech_autocannons_3	Stormfire Cannons	4
tech_starbase_5	Citadel	4
tech_habitat_2	Habitat Expansion	4
tech_habitat_3	Advanced Space Habitation	4
tech_battleships	Battleships	4
tech_battleship_hull_1	Improved Battleship Hulls	4
tech_battleship_build_speed	Standardized Battleship Patterns	4
tech_cruiser_hull_2	Advanced Cruiser Hulls	4
tech_repeatable_improved_tile_mineral_output	Extraction Patterns	5
tech_mine_living_metal	Living Metal	5
tech_repeatable_reduced_building_time	Assembly Algorithms	5
tech_repeatable_improved_armor_output	Matter Compression	5
tech_dark_matter_propulsion	Dark Matter Propulsion	5
tech_repeatable_weapon_type_explosive_damage	Thermodynamic Yield Control	5
tech_repeatable_weapon_type_explosive_fire_rate	Miniaturized Pre-Igniters	5
tech_repeatable_weapon_type_kinetic_damage	High-Density Munitions	5
tech_repeatable_weapon_type_kinetic_fire_rate	Loader Efficiency	5
tech_repeatable_weapon_type_strike_craft_fire_damage	Synapse Interceptors	5
tech_repeatable_weapon_type_strike_craft_fire_rate	Heat Recyclers	5
tech_repeatable_improved_military_station_health	Fortified Core Layers	5
tech_repeatable_improved_military_station_damage	Synchronized Firing Patterns	5
tech_battleship_hull_2	Advanced Battleship Hulls	5
tech_titans	Titans	5
tech_titan_hull_1	Improved Titan Hulls	5
tech_titan_hull_2	Advanced Titan Hulls	5
tech_colossus	Colossi	5
tech_pk_shielder	Global Pacification	5
tech_pk_neutron	Neutron Sweeping	5
tech_pk_godray	Divine Stimulus	5
tech_pk_cracker	Core Cracking	5
tech_pk_nanobots	Atmospheric Nanobot Dispersal	5
tech_mega_engineering	Mega-Engineering	5
tech_science_nexus	Science Nexus	5
tech_sentry_array	Sentry Array	5
tech_quantum_catapult	Quantum Catapult	5
tech_strategic_coordination	Strategic Coordination Center	5
tech_mega_shipyard	Mega Shipyard	5
tech_interstellar_assembly	Interstellar Assembly	5
tech_mega_art	Mega Art Installation	5
tech_juggernaut	Juggernaut	5

Tech Physics

Key	Name	Tier
tech_basic_science_lab_1	Scientific Method	0
tech_power_plant_1	High-Energy Capacitors	0
tech_shields_1	Deflectors	0
tech_lasers_1	Red Lasers	0
tech_fission_power	Fission Power	0
tech_reactor_boosters_1	Reactor Boosters	0
tech_hyper_drive_1	Hyperspace Travel	0
tech_bio_reactor	Bio-Reactor	0
tech_administrative_ai	Administrative AI	1
tech_combat_computers_1	Specialized Combat Computers	1
tech_auxiliary_fire_control	Auxiliary Fire-control	1
tech_cryostasis_1	AI-Controlled Colony Ships	1
tech_basic_science_lab_2	Exotic Materials Labs	1
tech_space_science_1	Zero-G Laboratories	1
tech_space_science_2	Miniature Containment Fields	1
tech_physics_1	Quantum Theory	1
tech_encryption_1	Quantum Firewalls	1
tech_decryption_1	Quantum Hacking	1
tech_power_plant_2	Field Modulation	1
tech_power_hub_1	Global Energy Management	1
tech_shields_2	Improved Deflectors	1
tech_lasers_2	Blue Lasers	1
tech_fusion_power	Fusion Power	1
tech_reactor_boosters_2	Improved Reactor Boosters	1
tech_reactor_boosters_3	Advanced Reactor Boosters	1
tech_automated_exploration	Automated Exploration Protocols	1
tech_consumer_good_refinement_1	Market Analysis Algorithms	2
tech_self_aware_logic	Self-Evolving Logic	2
tech_space_science_3	Quantum Probes	2
tech_space_science_4	Autonomous Station Protocols	2
tech_encryption_2	Simultaneous-Collapse Storage	2
tech_decryption_2	Simulated Social Engineering	2
tech_physics_2	Applied Quantum Physics	2
tech_sensors_2	Gravitic Sensors	2
tech_experimental_subspace_navigation	Speculative Hyperlane Breaching	2
tech_power_plant_3	Quantum Energy States	2
tech_power_hub_2	Planetary Power Grid	2
tech_shields_3	Shields	2
tech_shield_rechargers_1	Shield Capacitors	2
tech_lasers_3	UV Lasers	2
tech_disruptors_1	Disruptors	2
tech_plasma_1	Plasma Throwers	2
tech_cold_fusion_power	Cold Fusion Power	2
tech_hyper_drive_2	Hyperlane Breach Points	2
tech_hyper_relays	Hyper Relays	2
tech_ftl_inhibitor	FTL Inhibition	2
tech_archeology_lab_ancrel	Curator Archaeology Lab	2
tech_archeology_lab	Curator Archaeology Lab	2
tech_curator_lab	Curator Exploration Lab	2
tech_mine_volatile_motes	Mote Stabilization	2
tech_volatile_motes	Volatile Material Plants	2
tech_combat_computers_2	Extended Combat Algorithms	3
tech_cryostasis_2	Self-Aware Colony Ships	3
tech_global_research_initiative	Interplanetary Research Initiative	3
tech_basic_science_lab_3	Multi-Dimensional Studies	3
tech_space_science_5	Multi-Dimensional Analysis	3
tech_sensors_3	Subspace Sensors	3
tech_mine_dark_matter	Dark Matter Drawing	3
tech_power_plant_4	Quantum Field Manipulation	3
tech_shields_4	Advanced Shields	3
tech_planetary_shield_generator	Planetary Shields	3
tech_lasers_4	X-Ray Lasers	3
tech_energy_torpedoes_1	Proton Launchers	3
tech_disruptors_2	Ion Disruptors	3
tech_plasma_2	Plasma Accelerators	3
tech_antimatter_power	Antimatter Power	3
tech_hyper_drive_3	Hyperspace Slipstreams	3
tech_wormhole_stabilization	Wormhole Stabilization	3
tech_combat_computers_3	Sapient Combat Simulations	4
tech_combat_computers_autonomous	Autonomous Ship Intellects	4
tech_consumer_good_refinement_2	Predictive Consumerism	4
tech_positronic_implants	Positronic Implants	4
tech_sapient_ai	Positronic AI	4
tech_synchronized_defences	Synchronized Defenses	4
tech_encryption_3	Negative-Time Keys	4
tech_decryption_3	Quasi-Dimensional Reflection	4
tech_physics_3	Space-Time Theory	4
tech_sensors_4	Tachyon Sensors	4
tech_shields_5	Hyper Shields	4
tech_energy_torpedoes_2	Neutron Launchers	4
tech_lasers_5	Gamma Lasers	4
tech_energy_lance_1	Particle Lances	4
tech_energy_lance_2	Tachyon Lances	4
tech_disruptors_3	Phase Disruptors	4
tech_arc_emitter_1	Arc Emitters	4
tech_arc_emitter_2	Focused Arc Emitters	4
tech_plasma_3	Plasma Cannons	4
tech_zero_point_power	Zero Point Power	4
tech_gateway_activation	Gateway Activation	4
tech_repeatable_reduced_building_cost	Gravitational Analysis	5
tech_repeatable_improved_tile_energy_output	Applied Superconductivity	5
tech_dark_matter_deflector	Dark Matter Deflectors	5
tech_repeatable_improved_shield_output	Shield Harmonics	5
tech_repeatable_weapon_type_energy_damage	Focusing Arrays	5
tech_repeatable_weapon_type_energy_fire_rate	Flash Coolant	5
tech_jump_drive_1	Jump Drive	5
tech_dark_matter_power_core	Dark Matter Power	5
tech_gateway_construction	Gateway Construction	5

Tech Society

Key	Name	Tier
tech_industrial_farming	Industrial Agriculture	0
tech_planetary_defenses	Planetary Defenses	0
tech_colonization_1	New Worlds Protocol	0
tech_hive_node	Synaptic Structures	0
tech_holo_entertainment	Holo-Entertainment	0
tech_planetary_government	Planetary Government	0
tech_interplanetary_commerce	Interplanetary Commerce	0
tech_cultural_heritage	Sociocultural History	0
tech_eco_simulation	Eco Simulation	1
tech_food_processing_1	Food Processing	1
tech_hydroponics	Hydroponics Farming	1
tech_genome_mapping	Genome Mapping	1
tech_frontier_health	Genetic Healthcare	1
tech_society_1	Biodiversity Studies	1
tech_ground_defense_planning	Ground Defense Planning	1
tech_deep_sinkhole	Subterranean Colonization	1
tech_massive_glacier	Climate Control Network	1
tech_noxious_swamp	Xeno-Hydraulic Mastery	1
tech_dense_jungle	Selective Defoliants	1
tech_quicksand_basin	Soil Remediation	1
tech_toxic_kelp	Ocean Ecology Management	1
tech_hyper_entertainment_forum	Hyper-Entertainment Forum	1
tech_planetary_unification	Planetary Unification	1
tech_adaptive_bureaucracy	Adaptive Bureaucracy	1
tech_space_trading	Offworld Trade Companies	1
tech_heritage_site	Heritage Sites	1
tech_neural_implants	Neural Implants	1
tech_alien_life_studies	Xenology	1
tech_gene_crops	Gene Crops	2
tech_vitality_boosters	Vitality Boosters	2
tech_subdermal_stimulation	Subdermal Stimulation	2
tech_frontier_hospital	Cyto-Revitalization	2
tech_epigenetic_triggers	Epigenetic Triggers	2
tech_cloning	Cloning	2
tech_gene_banks	Gene Banks	2
tech_society_2	Xenobiology	2
tech_arcane_deciphering	Arcane Deciphering	2
tech_global_defense_grid	Global Defense Grid	2
tech_doctrine_fleet_size_1	Doctrine: Space Combat	2
tech_doctrine_fleet_size_2	Doctrine: Reactive Formations	2
tech_centralized_command	Centralized Command	2
tech_doctrine_navy_size_1	Doctrine: Fleet Support	2
tech_adaptive_combat_algorithms	Adaptive Combat Algorithms	2
tech_interstellar_fleet_traditions	Interstellar Fleet Traditions	2
tech_colonization_2	Atmospheric Filtering	2
tech_colonization_3	Hostile Environment Adaptation	2
tech_volcano	Deep Crust Engineering	2
tech_terrestrial_sculpting	Terrestrial Sculpting	2
tech_mountain_range	Planetary Resurfacing	2
tech_dangerous_wildlife	Dangerous Wildlife Removal	2
tech_galactic_ambitions	Stellar Expansion	2
tech_interstellar_campaigns	Interstellar Campaigns	2
tech_hive_cluster	Clustered Synapses	2
tech_colonial_centralization	Colonial Centralization	2
tech_planetary_infrastructure_1	Ceramo-Metal Infrastructure	2
tech_xeno_diplomacy	Xeno Diplomacy	2
tech_autonomous_agents	Autonomous Agents	2
tech_living_state	The Living State	2
tech_colonial_bureaucracy	Colonial Bureaucracy	2
tech_effective_bureaucracy	Effective Bureaucracy	2
tech_capital_productivity_1	Improved Production	2
tech_holographic_rituals	Holographic Rituals	2
tech_slave_colonies	Thrall-Worlds	2
tech_unity_of_purpose	Unity of Purpose	2
tech_artificial_moral_codes	Artificial Moral Codes	2
tech_food_processing_2	Advanced Food Processing	3
tech_nano_vitality_crops	Nano-Vitality Crops	3
tech_selected_lineages	Selected Lineages	3
tech_gene_tailoring	Gene Tailoring	3
tech_glandular_acclimation	Glandular Acclimation	3
tech_gene_expressions	Targeted Gene Expressions	3
tech_doctrine_fleet_size_3	Doctrine: Interstellar Warfare	3
tech_combat_training	Combat Training	3
tech_doctrine_navy_size_2	Doctrine: Support Vessels	3
tech_refit_standards	Refit Standards	3
tech_command_matrix	Command Matrix	3
tech_colonization_4	Foreign Soil Enrichment	3
tech_tomb_world_adaption	Tomb World Adaptation	3
tech_ecological_adaptation	Ecological Adaptation	3
tech_psionic_theory	Psionic Theory	3
tech_telepathy	Telepathy	3
tech_mine_zro	Zro Distillation	3
tech_hive_confluence	Confluence of Thought	3
tech_xeno_relations	Xeno Relations	3
tech_embodied_dynamism	Embodied Dynamism	3
tech_global_production_strategy	Global Production Strategy	3
tech_autocurating_vault	Automated Curation Algorithms	3
tech_galactic_administration	Galactic Administration	3
tech_collective_self	The Collective Self	3
tech_galactic_bureaucracy	Galactic Bureaucracy	3
tech_capital_productivity_2	Efficiencies of Scale	3
tech_interstellar_economics	Interstellar Economics	3
tech_hypercomms_forum	Local Hypercommunication	3
tech_consecration_fields	Consecration Fields	3
tech_resource_processing_algorithms	Resource Processing Algorithms	3
tech_collective_production_methods	Collective Production Methods	3
tech_penal_colonies	Penal Colonies	3
tech_resort_colonies	Resort Worlds	3
tech_synthetic_thought_patterns	Synthetic Thought Patterns	3
tech_xeno_tourism_agency	Xeno Outreach Agencies	3
tech_executive_retreat	Executive Leisure Program	3
tech_housing_agrarian_idyll	Agrarian Utopias	3
tech_nutrient_replication	Nutrient Replication	4
tech_capacity_boosters	Capacity Boosters	4
tech_tracking_implants	Tracking Implants	4
tech_gene_seed_purification	Gene Seed Purification	4
tech_morphogenetic_field_mastery	Morphogenetic Field Mastery	4
tech_society_3	Secrets of Life	4
tech_doctrine_fleet_size_4	Doctrine: Fluid Fleet Templates	4
tech_doctrine_fleet_size_5	Doctrine: Armada Battle Formation	4
tech_doctrine_navy_size_3	Doctrine: Interstellar Logistics	4
tech_doctrine_navy_size_4	Doctrine: Fleet Liasions	4
tech_biomechanics	Biomechanics	4
tech_colonization_5	Eco-Integration Studies	4
tech_climate_restoration	Climate Restoration	4
tech_galactic_campaigns	Galactic Campaigns	4
tech_manifest_destiny	Manifest Destiny	4
tech_precognition_interface	Precognition Interface	4
tech_thought_enforcement	Thought Enforcement	4
tech_planetary_infrastructure_2	Durasteel Infrastructure	4
tech_galactic_markets	Galactic Markets	4
tech_capital_productivity_3	Maximized Productivity	4
tech_transcendent_faith	Metacognitive Faith	4
tech_repeatable_improved_tile_food_output	Transgenic Crops	5
tech_repeatable_improved_leader_life_span	Cell Revitalization	5
tech_repeatable_command_limit	Admiralty Support Staff	5
tech_repeatable_improved_army_damage	Aggressive Conditioning	5
tech_repeatable_improved_army_health	Nerve Dampeners	5
tech_repeatable_naval_cap	Fleet Management Procedures	5
tech_repeatable_improved_starbase_capacity	Interstellar Expansion	5
tech_psi_jump_drive_1	Psi Jump Drive	5
tech_repeatable_improved_core_system_cap	Administrative Efficiency	5
tech_ascension_theory	Ascension Theory	5

Adding Techs

If you are new to modding Stellaris, the best way to understand how to create new technologies is to use the vanilla techs as examples.

tech_nutrient_replication = {
	cost = @tier3cost3
	area = society
	tier = 3
	category = { biology }
	prerequisites = { "tech_nano_vitality_crops" }
	weight = @tier3weight3

	potential = {
	}

	modifier = {
		planet_jobs_food_produces_mult = 0.15
	}

	weight_modifier = {
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.25
			has_ethic = ethic_pacifist
		}
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.5
			has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_pacifist
		}
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.25
			research_leader = {
				area = society
				has_trait = "leader_trait_expertise_biology"
			}
		}
	}

	ai_weight = {
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.25
			has_ethic = ethic_pacifist
		}
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.5
			has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_pacifist
		}
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.25
			research_leader = {
				area = society
				has_trait = "leader_trait_expertise_biology"
			}
		}
	}
}

ID Name

The first line, tech_nutrient_replication = { declares the ID Name for the technology. This is not the name that will display in-game, rather, the unique ID that other files, including language files, will reference the tech as. It is best to name it similarly to the technology's planned name, so a tech named "Better Farms" would be tech_better_farms. Of course, this is not required. ID Names do not support spaces, and should be replaced with underscore ( _ )

Cost

Here is a list of the variables Stellaris uses for most of its technologies. The cost determines how long it will take to research the technology.

@tier1cost1 = 2000
@tier1cost2 = 2500
@tier1cost3 = 3000

@tier2cost1 = 4000
@tier2cost2 = 5000
@tier2cost3 = 6000

@tier3cost1 = 8000
@tier3cost2 = 10000
@tier3cost3 = 12000

@tier4cost1 = 16000
@tier4cost2 = 20000
@tier4cost3 = 24000

@tier5cost1 = 32000
@tier5cost2 = 40000
@tier5cost3 = 48000

Cost can be set to any number within the 32bit integer limit.

# Using a preset weight
weight = @tier1cost3 # 3000

# Using a custom weight
weight = 9000

Weight

Weight controls how likely a tech is to be "drawn", the higher the number, the higher the likelihood of it appearing compared to other techs.

Here is a list of the weights Stellaris uses for most of its techs.

@tier1weight1 = 100
@tier1weight2 = 95
@tier1weight3 = 90

@tier2weight1 = 85
@tier2weight2 = 75
@tier2weight3 = 70

@tier3weight1 = 65
@tier3weight2 = 60
@tier3weight3 = 50

@tier4weight1 = 45
@tier4weight2 = 40
@tier4weight3 = 35

@tier5weight1 = 30
@tier5weight2 = 25
@tier5weight3 = 20

The syntax and usage of a tech's weight is the same as tech cost. A tech with low weight (i.e. 5) will have a much lower chance to be "drawn" than other techs. These are not definitive values however, and are compared to every other valid tech in the game.

# Using a preset weight
weight = @tier1weight3 # 90

# Using a custom weight
weight = 15

Tier

The 'tier' of a technology, while not shown ingame, does determine how many techs of a previous tier have to be researched for the next tier to become unlocked. I.e. a Tier 3 technology cannot be "drawn" until the country owns at least six Tier 2 technologies. These are also easily moddable via its file, see #Tiers.

Tier 0 is used for starting technologies.
Tier 1 – 3 are typically unlocked near the earlygame to the midgame
Tier 4 – 5 typically near to after endgame.

Area

This determines the technology's research area, as seen in the research panel.

area = society
# Supports: physics, society, engineering

Category

This determines the category of a technology, used with the Expertise scientist traits to increase speed in a specific area of research.

# Note the Curly brackets / Braces {}
category = { biology }

Despite the curly brackets, this is not an array; as there can only be one category for each tech.

# Physics
field_manipulation, particles, computing

# Society
psionics, new_worlds, statecraft, biology, military_theory

# Engineering
materials, rocketry, voidcraft, industry

For adding new categories, see #Categories.

Potential

"Potential" determines whether the specific country is allowed to "draw" the technology.

potential = {
	has_authority = auth_democratic
}

A tech with this potential is accessible only to Democratic countries. More logic explanation in the weight section.

AI Update Type

ai_update_type = military
# supports: military, all
# Remove if not used

Techs with this variable set will update ship designs upon researching. If this field is all, civilian ships will be upgraded. Used for component-unlocking technologies.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites (careful on the spelling) determine required technologies for the tech.

prerequisites = { "tech_droid_workers" }

A technology with this prerequisite will require researching Droid Workers first. In this case, prerequisites works as an "array", or a list of items, and can have multiple or many required techs.

prerequisites = { "tech_droid_workers" "tech_colonial_centralization" }

This will make the tech require "Droids" and "Colonial Centralisation" in order to research.

Tech tags

There are a few other tags:

• is_reverse_engineerable = yes/no – Reverse engineerable tech, allows to reverse engineer from debris – only supports ship component technologies, such as Dark Matter Power or Railguns (etc.), as the game checks against the requirements for said components.
• start_tech = yes/no – Starting tech, given at the start of the game – determines whether valid empires start with the technology. Valid empires are determined by a tech's Potential.
• is_rare = yes/no – Rare tech, marks as purple – see Advanced Tech Modding for more.
• is_dangerous = yes/no – Dangerous Tech, marks as red – see Advanced Tech Modding for more.

Weight Modifiers

Now we enter logic gate territory with Weight Modifiers and add/factor. These change how likely the tech is to appear in any given tech "card draw", after each completed research. An example:

weight_modifier = {
	factor = 4 # weight × 4
	modifier = {
		factor = 0.75 # weight × 0.75
		NOR = {
			has_ethic = ethic_pacifist
			has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_pacifist
		} # Is not pacifist
	}
	modifier = {
		add = 2 # +2 to original weight amount
		OR = {
			has_ethic = ethic_militarist
			has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_militarist
		} # Is militarist
	}
}

This would reduce the weight of a technology if the researcher does not have either pacifist ethics, and increase it if militarist.

Weight Modifier

This will contain all of the modifiers that would affect the technology's chance to draw.

weight_modifier = { … }

Remember to count your braces.

Add & Factor

This is how the condition affects the likelihood of the tech appearing. "Factor" means multiply in this case.

modifier = {
	factor = 0.75
	has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_pacifist
}

This will multiply the base weight by 0.75 for countries that are fanatic pacifist.

modifier = {
	add = 3
	has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_militarist
}

This will increase the base weight by 3 for countries that are fanatic militarist.

Logic Gates

Main article: Conditions

Paradox text files use several logic gates that are found in traditional computer programming: AND (all values must be true), OR (any value must be true), NOT (all values must be false, reverses output), and NOR (no values can be true).

	factor = 0.01
	OR = {
		has_ethic = ethic_pacifist
		has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_pacifist
	}

In an OR logic gate at least one value within must return true, else the OR returns false. For this example, empires that are not pacifist are far less likely to draw this technology.

	factor = 1.5
	AND = {
		has_authority = "auth_imperial"
		has_civic = "civic_imperial_cult"
	}

In the AND gate, all values within must return true, else the AND returns false. This example will increase a tech's weight by 50% if the country has the Imperial authority AND has the Imperial Cult civic.

	factor = 0.01
	NOT = {
		has_ethic = "ethic_spiritualist"
	}

	factor = 0.01
	NOR = {
		has_ethic = "ethic_spiritualist"
		has_ethic = "ethic_fanatic_spiritualist"
	}

NOT is a reversed logic gate. If the values within a "NOT" return true, then the NOT returns false. It should be noted that "NOT" and "NOR" have similar use.

Logic gates can only be nested limited times;

	factor = 0
	OR = {
		NOT = { is_country_type = default }
		AND = {
			has_civic = civic_fanatic_purifiers
			has_ethic = ethic_spiritualist
		}
		AND = {
			has_civic = civic_death_cult
			has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_militarist
		}
	}
	NOR = {
		has_ethic = ethic_xenophile
		has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_xenophile
	}

(Note: This block of code does not appear anywhere in Stellaris.)

Research Leader

The weight can be affected by who's in charge of research, and here's how to do it. First, open with research_leader = {. Now, here is where you make your decision. First, area, meaning which department your scientist is in. It really is just a coding convention, since it will only appear in that category anyways. (So I think it's supposed to increase the chance is there is a leader.) Next is "has_trait", which is self-explanatory. It is used to increase or decrease the likelihood of a tech appearing if a certain trait exists or is missing. Here is a list of all traits that can be used with it (for scientists):

# Adaptable (+25% XP Gain)
"leader_trait_adaptable"

# Stubborn (-25% XP Gain)
"leader_trait_stubborn"

# Resiliant (+25 More Years of Life)
"leader_trait_resilient"

# Substance Abuser (-20 Years of Life)
"leader_trait_substance_abuser"

# Eager (-33% Recruitment Cost)
"leader_trait_eager"

# Arrested Development (No XP Gain)
"leader_trait_arrested_development"

# Careful (-10% Anomaly Fail Risk )
"leader_trait_careful"

# Meticulous (+10% Anomaly Generation Chance)
"leader_trait_meticulous"

# Spark of Genius (+10% Research Speed (All Techs))
"leader_trait_spark_of_genius"

# Carefree (+35% Anomaly Research Speed)
"leader_trait_carefree"

# Roamer (+25% Survey Speed)
"leader_trait_roamer"

# Archaeologist (+50% Precursor Anomaly Research Speed, -25% Precursor Anomaly Fail Chance)
"leader_trait_archaeologist"

# Paranoid (-5% Research Speed (All Techs), -10% Anomaly Research Speed)
"leader_trait_paranoid"

# Maniacal (+5% Research Speed (All Techs))
"leader_trait_maniacal"

# Custom AI Assistant (+5% Research Speed (All Techs), +10% Survey Speed, +15% Anomaly Research Speed)
"leader_trait_custom_AI_assistant"

# Sentient AI Assistant (+10% Research Speed (All Techs), +20% Survey Speed, +30% Anomaly Research Speed)
"leader_trait_sentient_AI_assistant"

# Expertise: Materials (+15% Research Speed (Materials))
"leader_trait_expertise_materials"

# Expertise: Rocketry (+15% Research Speed (Rocketry))
"leader_trait_expertise_rocketry"

# Expertise: Voidcraft (+15% Research Speed (Voidcraft))
"leader_trait_expertise_voidcraft"

# Expertise: Industry (+15% Research Speed (Industry))
"leader_trait_expertise_industry"

# Expertise: Field Manipulation (+15% Research Speed (Field Manipulation))
"leader_trait_expertise_field_manipulation"

# Expertise: Particles (+15% Research Speed (Particles))
"leader_trait_expertise_particles"

# Expertise: Computing (+15% Research Speed (Computing))
"leader_trait_expertise_computing"

# Expertise: Psionics (+15% Research Speed (Psionics))
"leader_trait_expertise_psionics"

# Expertise: New Worlds (+15% Research Speed (New Worlds))
"leader_trait_expertise_new_worlds"

# Expertise: Statecraft (+15% Research Speed (Statecraft))
"leader_trait_expertise_statecraft"

# Expertise: Biology (+15% Research Speed (Biology))
"leader_trait_expertise_biology"

# Expertise: Military Theory (+15% Military Theory)
"leader_trait_expertise_military_theory"

Please note, this only includes base game, no DLCs are included.

Has Level

This tag, "has_level", uses inequality signs (< and >), to boost or lower the chance based on the level. Currently, it goes up to level 5, and here is an example of its usage in game:

modifier = {
	factor = 1.25
	research_leader = {
		area = physics
		has_trait = "leader_trait_expertise_voidcraft"
		has_level > 2
	}
}
modifier = {
	factor = 1.50
	research_leader = {
		area = physics
		has_trait = "leader_trait_expertise_voidcraft"
		has_level > 3
	}
}

Here, the "has_level" tag is used to check is the leading scientist is higher than level 3, and if so, increase the likelihood of the tech by *1.5.

Years Passed

Self-Explanatory. Increases the chance if the years past since the start of the game is greater than or less than a certain year. Like this:

years_passed < 20
# '<' Can be replaced by '>', '>=', '<=', or '='

Scopes and Triggers

The most important part of weight modifiers. Scopes are used to determine what the following statements apply to. Please note, only a few scopes matter, such as 'research_leader'. Triggers are the most important part of the entire weight modifier section. Triggers create the main thing that allows for specific cases where certain factors can affect the chance either positively or negatively.

Example #1: Locking to certain ethics

Using triggers, you can create a tech that can only be used by egalitarians or xenophiles, and it is more likely to appear if you are an egalitarian, and less likely to appear if you only have one of the two. It is even less likely to appear if the fanatic one is xenophile.

weight_modifier = {
	factor = 0.5   # Sets the base chance of the tech appearing
	modifier = {
		factor = 0   # Sets chance to 0 if the empire does not have any of the following ethics.
		NOR = {
			has_ethic = ethic_egalitarian
			has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_egalitarian
			has_ethic = ethic_xenophile
			has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_xenophile
		}
	}
	modifier = {
		factor = 1.5   # Increases the chance if the empire has both egalitarian and xenophile ethics.
		AND = {
			OR = {
				has_ethic = ethic_egalitarian
				has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_egalitarian
			}
			OR = {
				has_ethic = ethic_xenophile
				has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_xenophile
			}
		}
	}
	modifier = {
		factor = 1.5   # Increases the chance if the empire is fanatic egalitarian.
		has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_egalitarian
	}
	modifier = {
		factor = 1.25   # Slightly increases the chance if the empire is fanatic xenophile.
		has_ethic = ethic_fanatic_xenophile
	}
}

Example #2: Traits

In this example, the triggers will use the traits of the leader in research and the ruler of the empire. Namely:

• If the leader is maniacal, then the chance should be increased.
• If the leader has an expertise, the chance should be reduced.
• If the leader is spark of genius, increase the chances even more.
• If the leader has a modifier that affects the age of the leader, then decrease the chance. Decrease the chance even more if the age went down.
• If the leader has arrested development, but no expertise, then increase the chance.

Advanced Tech Modding

NOTE: All of these can crash your game on launch!

Tiers

It is possible to add and modify tiers in the game, the game requires them to be in order (you cannot go from 5 to 7, etc.) meaning that they are semi-hardcoded and require careful handling. If you load a game with a missing tier; your game will crash on load.

From: Stellaris/common/technology/tier/00_tiers.txt

####
#	Technology tiers
#
#	weight_modifier = {
#		factor = 1
#		modifier = {
#			add = 10
#			OR = {
#				has_government = "military_dictatorship"
#				has_government = "martial_empire"
#			}
#		}
#	}
####

# The previously_unlocked-value decides how many techs in the previous tier has to be researched before the tier is unlocked

0 = { # Tier 0
}

1 = { # Tier 1
	previously_unlocked = 0
	weight_modifier = {
		base = 1
		complex_trigger_modifier = {
			trigger = num_researched_techs_of_tier
			parameters = {
				tier = 3
			}
			mode = add
			mult = 0.2
		}
	}
}

2 = { # Tier 2
	previously_unlocked = 6
	weight_modifier = {
		base = 1
		complex_trigger_modifier = {
			trigger = num_researched_techs_of_tier
			parameters = {
				tier = 4
			}
			mode = add
			mult = 0.2
		}
	}
}

3 = { # Tier 3
	previously_unlocked = 6
	weight_modifier = {
		base = 1
		complex_trigger_modifier = {
			trigger = num_researched_techs_of_tier
			parameters = {
				tier = 5
			}
			mode = add
			mult = 0.2
		}
	}
}

4 = { # Tier 4
	previously_unlocked = 6
	weight_modifier = {
		base = 1
		complex_trigger_modifier = {
			trigger = num_repeatable_techs
			mode = add
			mult = 0.2
		}
	}
}

5 = { # Tier 5
	previously_unlocked = 6
	#weight multiplier is always 1
}

Categories

It is possible to modify categories in the game, however as of now it is impossible to add new ones, meaning that only their icon can be edited.

From: Stellaris/common/technology/category/00_category.txt

materials = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_materials.dds"
}

propulsion = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_propulsion.dds"
}

voidcraft = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_voidcraft.dds"
}

industry = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_industry.dds"
}

field_manipulation = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_field_manipulation.dds"
}

particles = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_particles.dds"
}

computing = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_computing.dds"
}

psionics = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_psionics.dds"
}

new_worlds = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_new_worlds.dds"
}

statecraft = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_statecraft.dds"
}

biology = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_biology.dds"
}

military_theory = {
	icon = "gfx/interface/icons/traits/leader_traits/leader_trait_expertise_military_theory.dds"
}

Tech tags

As already mentioned above tech tags is_rare and is_dangerous are only cosmetic and do not effect the game. "is_rare" (changing the tech's graphics to purple) does not inherently reduce the chance of rolling it, nor does "is_dangerous" (changing the tech's graphics to red) create danger on its own.

Rare Technologies

To make a rare technology "rare", you will need to add the following lines of code to the weight_modifier.

modifier = {
	factor = @ap_technological_ascendancy_rare_tech
	has_ascension_perk = ap_technological_ascendancy
}

Dangerous Technologies

Dangerous technologies are more complicated and require event modding to work. For more see Event modding or alternatively direct at Stellaris/events/crisis_trigger_events.txt.

References

Modding

Pops	Jobs • Factions

Leaders

Leaders • Leader traits

Species

Species • Species traits

Land warfare

Armies • Bombardment stance