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Stellaris is, in all the ways that matter, one of the most in-depth and comprehensive interstellar 4X games ever created. This isn't by accident, of course: Stellaris first came out in a relatively threadbare state back in 2016, with the developer and publisher Paradox Interactive slowly, meticulously building it up through a mind-boggling number of free and paid expansion packs, updates, hotfixes, and DLCs. DLCs, specifically, are what we're interested in today, as we aim to give you a thorough look at each and every one of them, so that you know which ones are worth the dough!
With that in mind, if you'd like to check out a more streamlined take on the topic, consider visiting our top 10 Stellaris DLCs article as well. We won't be ranking DLCs here, mind. Instead, we're just going to go through them one by one in the order of their release, and give you a sense of what's what and what they're all about.
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Stellaris DLC Overview - Learn Which Ones are Right for You!
Plantoids - August 4, 2016
Stellaris: Plantoids DLC brings a vibrant botanical twist to the expansive universe of Stellaris. In this DLC, players can immerse themselves in a universe teeming with diverse plant-based species, each with their own unique traits and characteristics. From sentient trees to fungal colonies, Plantoids offers a plethora of new species to encounter, interact with, and even play as. With new ship designs, cityscapes, and portraits, players can fully customize their botanical empires, shaping them to fit their vision of a verdant utopia or a thorny galactic hegemony. Whether you're exploring the cosmos as a peaceful gardener or conquering worlds with your photosynthetic armies, Stellaris: Plantoids DLC offers an engaging and visually stunning experience for both new and veteran players alike.
Leviathans - October 20, 2016
In this expansion, players encounter colossal, ancient beings known as Leviathans, each with its own enigmatic lore and formidable powers. From gargantuan space creatures guarding precious resources to dormant titans waiting to be awakened, Leviathans add a sense of wonder and danger to every corner of the galaxy. Additionally, the DLC introduces the War in Heaven, a galaxy-spanning conflict between ancient empires, offering players the chance to navigate intricate diplomatic webs and shape the fate of the cosmos. With new events, anomalies, and storylines, the Leviathans DLC enriches the Stellaris experience, inviting players to embark on epic quests, face formidable challenges, and carve their legacy amidst the stars.
Utopia - April 6, 2017
Stellaris: Utopia DLC elevates the player's galactic conquest to new heights by introducing a wealth of options for empire customization and expansion. With the Ascension Perks system, players can tailor their civilizations to suit their playstyle, whether by harnessing the power of psionics, embracing artificial intelligence, or transcending their physical forms through genetic manipulation. Utopia also introduces Megastructures, allowing players to construct awe-inspiring feats of engineering like ringworlds, Dyson spheres, and habitat stations to further solidify their dominance over the cosmos. Stellaris: Utopia empowers players to shape their ideal society and forge their legacy among the stars like never before.
Synthetic Dawn - September 21, 2017
A creature race pack, Synthetic Dawn is all about adding some positronic goodness to your Stellaris experience. As a synthetic civilization, players can forge their own destiny, evolving from humble machine origins to powerful interstellar juggernauts. With unique gameplay mechanics such as the ability to assimilate organic pops, upload consciousness into robotic bodies, and wage wars with advanced robotic armies, Synthetic Dawn offers a fresh and immersive experience for those seeking to explore the complexities of artificial intelligence in a vast and dynamic galaxy. Synthetic Dawn empowers players to chart their own course in the ever-evolving tapestry of space exploration and conquest.
Humanoids - December 7, 2017
Stellaris: Humanoids DLC brings a touch of familiarity to the far reaches of space, introducing a diverse array of humanoid species to the galactic stage. From sleek, technologically advanced societies to rugged warrior cultures, players can explore and interact with a multitude of human-like civilizations, each with its own unique traits and lore. With new ship designs, cityscapes, and character portraits inspired by various human cultures, the Humanoids DLC offers players the opportunity to craft their own narratives and shape the destiny of their humanoid empires amidst the stars. Whether you're forging alliances, engaging in diplomacy, or conquering new worlds, Humanoids enriches the Stellaris experience with its focus on the diverse and intriguing possibilities of humanoid civilizations in the vastness of space.
Apocalypse - February 22, 2018
Unleash cataclysmic new features that add both excitement and strategic depth to the game with Stellaris: Apocalypse! With the introduction of planet-destroying weapons like the Colossus, players can now wield unparalleled destructive power, reshaping the galaxy in their image. Annihilate entire worlds, subjugate enemy empires with fear-inducing superweapons, or force your rivals into submission through the threat of annihilation, Apocalypse provides a new level of strategic choice and consequence. As a bonus, the DLC introduces the concept of the Marauder Empires, powerful nomadic factions that can either be formidable allies or relentless raiders, adding dynamic challenges and opportunities for diplomacy and conflict. With Apocalypse, Stellaris ventures into the realm of galactic-scale warfare and devastation, offering players the chance to leave their mark on the cosmos like never before.
Distant Stars - May 22, 2018
Stellaris: Distant Stars expands the horizons of exploration and discovery, beckoning players to venture into the depths of uncharted space in search of hidden wonders and ancient mysteries. With the addition of new anomalies, events, and storylines, Distant Stars offers a wealth of new content to enrich the exploration experience. From enigmatic precursors to elusive guardians, players will encounter a diverse array of challenges and opportunities as they uncover the secrets of the galaxy. Whether unravelling the mysteries of ancient ruins or charting the paths of cosmic phenomena, Distant Stars adds a sense of wonder and intrigue to every journey through the cosmos, inviting players to embark on epic quests and forge their own tales of exploration and discovery amidst the stars.
MegaCorp - December 6, 2018
Stellaris: MegaCorp DLC introduces a new dimension of economic strategy and corporate power to the vast expanse of space. As the head of a mega-corporation, players can now expand their influence beyond mere planetary borders, establishing branch offices on other worlds and engaging in intricate trade networks to amass wealth and influence. With the ability to specialize in different corporate identities, from ruthless corporate raiders to benevolent corporate utopias, MegaCorp offers a wealth of strategic options and gameplay depth. Here, you're also getting the concept of Ecumenopolises, sprawling urban worlds teeming with life and industry, as well as the Caravaneer enclaves, nomadic traders who offer unique opportunities for commerce and diplomacy. A perfect choice for the budding capitalist!
Ancient Relics - June 4, 2019
Stellaris: Ancient Relics opens the door to the galaxy's forgotten past, encouraging players to delve into the mysteries left behind by ancient civilizations. With scattered archaeological sites and relics strewn across the cosmos, explorers embark on thrilling expeditions to uncover artifacts, decode ancient enigmas, and reveal the narratives of vanished empires. By assembling fragments of history, players gain access to valuable bonuses, unearth advanced technologies, and shed light on the origins of the galaxy's most enigmatic species. Further, the DLC introduces Precursor Civilizations, ancient races whose artifacts wield significant influence over galactic affairs. From uncovering lost civilizations to forging new destinies among the stars, Ancient Relics delivers an immersive journey of discovery, inviting players to shape the future by understanding the secrets of the past.
Lithoids - October 24, 2019
Stellaris: Lithoids DLC introduces a unique and rock-solid addition to the diverse roster of species in the galaxy. As lithoid beings made of living rock, players can experience a fresh perspective on space-faring civilizations, boasting their own set of traits and abilities tailored to their rocky origins. From resilient asteroid miners to formidable warriors carved from the very bedrock of their homeworlds, lithoids offer a novel gameplay experience with an emphasis on endurance and adaptability. Lithoids also - obviously - adds new lithoid-themed ship sets, portraits, and cityscapes, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the stony aesthetic of their lithoid empires. No matter your niche, Lithoids offers a solid and captivating experience for players looking to explore the cosmos from a rocky perspective.
Federations - March 17, 2020
Stellaris: Federations prides itself on a wealth of new diplomatic options and cooperative gameplay mechanics, allowing players to forge powerful alliances and shape the destiny of the galaxy through the power of unity. With the addition of the Galactic Community, players can participate in galactic politics, propose resolutions, and influence the course of history through diplomacy and intrigue. Furthermore, Federations introduces the concept of federations themselves, enabling players to form vast interstellar coalitions with other empires, each with its own unique benefits and challenges. Negotiate trade agreements, defend against common threats, or duke it out for dominance within the Galactic Community! Regardless, Federations DLC offers a rich and immersive experience that emphasizes the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in the ever-evolving tapestry of space exploration and conquest.
Necroids - October 29, 2020
The Necroids DLC introduces a dark and intriguing twist to the diverse array of species inhabiting the galaxy. As the undead rulers of the stars, players can embrace the macabre and command civilizations of necrotic beings, each with its own unique traits and abilities. From vampiric nobility to reanimated armies of the undead, Necroids offers a fresh and immersive gameplay experience with a focus on themes of death and undeath. Naturally, the DLC introduces new death-themed ship sets, portraits, and cityscapes, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the eerie aesthetic of their necrotic empires. Whether you're conquering star systems with your undead legions or seeking to transcend mortality through dark rituals, Necroids DLC offers a hauntingly captivating experience for players looking to explore the cosmos from a darker perspective.
Nemesis - April 15, 2021
With the addition of the Nemesis DLC's appropriately titled new Nemesis feature, players can now embrace the role of the ultimate threat or the galaxy's last hope, wielding immense power to shape the fate of the cosmos. Choose to become a malevolent galactic menace, harnessing dark technologies and unleashing devastation upon your rivals, or strive to lead the galaxy to a new era of peace and prosperity as the Galactic Custodian, Nemesis offers unparalleled opportunities for role-playing and strategic decision-making. As you'd expect, the DLC introduces new espionage mechanics, allowing players to engage in covert operations, sabotage enemy empires, and gather intelligence to gain the upper hand in diplomatic negotiations and conflicts.
Aquatics - November 22, 2021
Stellaris: Aquatics DLC dives deep into the oceans of space, introducing aquatic species and civilizations to the game. With new underwater-themed ship designs, portraits, and cities, players can explore the mysteries of the cosmic seas and shape the destiny of their aquatic empires. Regardless of whether you're navigating vast oceanic worlds or forging alliances with other underwater civilizations, Aquatics offers a refreshing and immersive experience for players looking to explore the depths of the cosmos.
Overlord - May 12, 2022
Stellaris: Overlord DLC empowers players to embrace the role of supreme rulers, commanding vast empires with absolute authority. With new mechanics focused on governance and control, players can enforce their will over subject empires, demanding tribute, loyalty, and obedience. Whether you choose to rule with an iron fist, maintain strict control over your vassals, or prefer a more diplomatic approach, fostering alliances and puppet states, Overlord offers a rich and immersive gameplay experience that emphasizes the complexities of leadership and dominance in the cosmos. Lest we forget, the DLC introduces new features such as subjugation wars, vassal management tools, and unique Overlord-themed ship designs, portraits, and cityscapes, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the role of the supreme ruler of the galaxy.
Toxoids - September 20, 2022
With the Toxoids DLC, players can now explore and colonize these challenging environments, adapting their civilizations to thrive amidst poisonous atmospheres and deadly flora and fauna. With new toxic-themed ship designs, portraits, and cityscapes, players can fully immerse themselves in the toxic aesthetic of their civilizations. Toxoids also introduces unique challenges and opportunities, such as managing environmental hazards, researching toxic technologies, and confronting toxic-based threats.
First Contact - March 14, 2023
Stellaris: First Contact DLC immerses players in the excitement and uncertainty of encountering new alien civilizations for the first time. With expanded mechanics for diplomacy, communication, and exploration, players can navigate the delicate balance between curiosity and caution as they interact with unknown species across the galaxy. The DLC introduces new events, anomalies, and storylines centred around first-contact scenarios, offering players the opportunity to shape the course of history through their actions and decisions. First Contact enhances the role-playing experience with new diplomatic options, cultural exchanges, and the potential for alliances or conflicts with newfound alien neighbours. Whether you're extending the hand of friendship or preparing for the unknown, First Contact offers an immersive and dynamic gameplay experience that captures the thrill of encountering the mysteries of the cosmos.
Galactic Paragons - May 9, 2023
Stellaris: Ancient Relics opens the door to the galaxy's forgotten past, encouraging players to delve into the mysteries left behind by ancient civilizations. With scattered archaeological sites and relics strewn across the cosmos, explorers embark on thrilling expeditions to uncover artifacts, decode ancient enigmas, and reveal the narratives of vanished empires. By assembling fragments of history, players gain access to valuable bonuses, unearth advanced technologies, and shed light on the origins of the galaxy's most enigmatic species. Additionally, the DLC introduces Precursor Civilizations, ancient races whose artifacts wield significant influence over galactic affairs. From uncovering lost civilizations to forging new destinies among the stars, Ancient Relics delivers an immersive journey of discovery, inviting players to shape the future by understanding the secrets of the past.
Astral Planes - November 16, 2023
Embark on an otherworldly adventure with Stellaris: Astral Planes DLC, where cosmic realms of mystique await your exploration. Dive into the ethereal depths of the universe, encountering enigmatic entities and unlocking the secrets of celestial power. With astral anomalies, spiritual technologies, and encounters beyond the realm of the mundane, Astral Planes offers an immersive journey into the unknown. Delve into the mysteries of the cosmos, forge alliances with celestial beings, and harness the ethereal energies to shape the destiny of your galactic empire. Explore the unseen dimensions of space, where the boundaries of reality blur and the possibilities are limitless. Unlock the mysteries of the astral planes and ascend to new heights of cosmic supremacy with Stellaris: Astral Planes.
The Machine Age - May 7, 2024
The Machine Age is centred around allowing your civilization a period of unbridled progress, where cybernetics rule supreme and the creation of individualistic non-gestalt machine empires through new origins, civics, and ascension paths. It's a huge deal, particularly because it introduces the ominous Cetana, Synthetic Queen, who you can work with or against, depending on how your empire aligns with hers. For all the other details, stay tuned for The Machine Age's release early in May!
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