Omar Bennett
Stellaris is a 4X grand strategy game developed by Paradox Development Studio. Diplomacy in Stellaris offers an alternative to warmongering, with players having the option to perform espionage, improve or harm relations, assign first contact, and build a spy network. While the game provides a range of diplomatic options, some players have expressed a desire for improvements, such as more dynamic interactions and better AI response to player actions. Suggestions include separating empire and federation diplomacy and limiting espionage opportunities to encourage the use of diplomatic avenues. The game's complex mechanics, such as trade deals, opinion systems, and leader traits, offer strategic depth to the diplomatic aspect of the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Envoys | Minor leaders that can be assigned to perform various diplomatic tasks |
| Envoy tasks | Improve Relations, Harm Relations, First Contact, Build a Spy Network |
| Improve Relations | +0.25 opinion per month to and from the target empire (up to +150) and removes the relation requirement for positive diplomatic actions |
| Harm Relations | -0.5 opinion per month to and from the target empire (up to -150) and removes the relation requirement for negative diplomatic actions |
| Trust | Generated by maintaining any form of lasting treaty; maximum amount obtainable is limited by the most valuable treaty between both parties |
| Trust decay | -0.25 per month if there is no new income |
| Unilateral agreements | Diplomatic actions that are only proposed and ended by one of the empires, with no input from the recipient |
| Bilateral agreements | Mutually beneficial diplomatic actions that must be accepted by the recipient |
| Trade deals | Instant or monthly transfers of resources or other assets between two empires |
| Long-term trade contracts | Viable option once the AI fills their stockpile; can be broken if not enough resources are stockpiled, but this causes an opinion penalty |
| Diplomatic trades | Can yield better deals than the market |
| AI attitude | Based on welcome message during First Contact |
| AI behaviour | Typically in accordance with their AI attitude |
| AI personality | Influences specific attitude towards other empires, along with diplomatic interactions and relative power |
| AI empires with Fanatic Purifiers civic | Can only engage in diplomacy with empires of the same primary species |
| AI empires with Determined Exterminator civic | Can only engage in diplomacy with empires with Machine Intelligence authority or Mechanical main species |
| AI empires with Devouring Swarm and Terravore civics | Cannot engage in any diplomacy at all |
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What You'll Learn
- Utilise envoys to improve or harm relations with other empires
- Make trade deals with other empires to increase diplomatic benefits
- Understand the AI attitude of empires to predict their behaviour
- Use espionage to gain knowledge about other empires' economic status
- Establish connections with highly advanced races to access the diplomacy screen
Utilise envoys to improve or harm relations with other empires
Envoys are minor leaders that can be assigned to perform various diplomatic tasks in Stellaris. They are a useful tool to improve or harm relations with other empires. Each envoy can be assigned to a task, and once assigned, they cannot be reassigned for a year.
To improve relations with another empire, an envoy can be sent, granting +0.25 opinion per month to and from the target empire (up to +150) and removing the relation requirement for positive diplomatic actions. This can be a useful strategy to build alliances and improve overall relations. It is important to note that the AI will generate a default attitude based on your welcome message during the First Contact, so a friendly message will increase your chances of fluent diplomacy.
On the other hand, envoys can also be used to harm relations with another empire, granting -0.5 opinion per month to and from the target empire (up to -150) and removing the relation requirement for negative diplomatic actions. This strategy can be employed to create distractions, diverting attention from your own empire's activities or to hinder another empire's progress.
Additionally, envoys can be assigned to investigate and make First Contact with alien empires, providing valuable information about their ethics, political system, and race appearance. Envoys can also be used to build a Spy Network, increasing infiltration and intelligence-gathering capabilities over time.
The number of envoys available can vary depending on empire size, government, technology, traditions, and policies. Regular empires, megacorps, and hive minds each have a civic that provides two additional envoys, while certain traits or conditions, such as Inward Perfection, reduce the number by two. Completing certain achievements, such as an Interstellar Assembly, can grant two more envoys, and certain technologies can also provide additional envoys.
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Make trade deals with other empires to increase diplomatic benefits
Trade deals are an essential aspect of improving diplomacy in Stellaris. They involve instant or monthly transfers of resources or assets between two empires, fostering mutually beneficial relationships. These deals can last between 10 and 30 years and often yield better deals than the market, making them attractive options for both parties involved.
When engaging in trade deals, it's important to consider the attitude of the other empire. A neutral or positive attitude is required for successful trading partnerships. Empires with a negative attitude will only accept gifts or one-sided deals, which can impact your diplomatic standing. It's also worth noting that fallen empires will only trade if they hold a patronizing or enigmatic stance towards your empire and will refrain from trading strategic resources.
To initiate a trade deal, players can utilize the Diplomacy window, accessible via the Communication tab. Here, players can select an empire to establish a connection and view essential information such as their ethics, political system, and race appearance. This preliminary research is crucial for understanding the empire's needs and preferences, allowing players to offer attractive trade deals.
By offering resources or assets that the other empire values highly, players can improve their diplomatic standing and foster positive relationships. This can lead to increased Opinion and Trust, which are vital for maintaining lasting treaties and unlocking further diplomatic options. Additionally, envoys can be assigned to improve relations, granting a monthly Opinion bonus and facilitating positive diplomatic actions.
Through strategic trade deals and effective use of envoys, players can enhance their diplomatic benefits in Stellaris. These actions contribute to building strong alliances and fostering positive relationships with other empires, ultimately leading to a more prosperous and peaceful galaxy.
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Understand the AI attitude of empires to predict their behaviour
Understanding the AI attitude of empires is key to predicting their behaviour and improving your diplomacy in Stellaris. Each empire will have a specific attitude towards other empires, dictated by their AI personality, diplomatic interactions and the relative power of both empires.
When you first make contact with another empire, the AI will generate a default attitude based on your welcome message. A friendly message will give you a better chance of fluent diplomacy going forward. You can also check the diplomatic status of the empire through distinguishable icons, which will indicate whether they are waging war, competing with another empire, or are a vassal. This is important to note before you decide to insult them, as you don't want to inadvertently anger their allies.
The AI attitude is also influenced by the offers you send to that empire, the structure of both their and your alliances, and the convergence of ethics. You can also check where they have embassies and who their allies are. This information can help you predict their behaviour and adjust your diplomatic strategy accordingly.
Additionally, the relative power of both empires will impact their attitude towards each other. Factors such as the number of planets controlled, population slots inhabited, and military and technological potential will influence their stance.
By paying attention to these factors and understanding the AI attitude of empires, you can make more informed decisions and improve your diplomatic relations in Stellaris.
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Use espionage to gain knowledge about other empires' economic status
Espionage can be a powerful tool in Stellaris to gain knowledge about other empires' economic status and make more informed diplomatic decisions. Here are some ways to effectively use espionage for economic intelligence:
Understanding Espionage Mechanics: In Stellaris, espionage involves utilizing spies and building a spy network within enemy territories. Spies can be assigned to gather intelligence or counterintelligence assets, depending on whether they are operating in friendly or enemy territory. Each mission requires committing intelligence assets, and the success of the mission depends on efficiently managing these assets.
Infiltrating Trade Routes: One way to determine another empire's economic status is by infiltrating their trade routes. This involves avoiding patrols and actively participating in the game. By infiltrating trade routes, you can gather information about their stockpiles, deficits, and the resources they are willing to trade. This knowledge can be leveraged during diplomatic negotiations or when formulating trade strategies.
Assigning Envoys: Envoys are minor leaders in Stellaris that can be assigned to perform diplomatic tasks. One of their tasks includes building a spy network, which will increase infiltration in another empire over time. By assigning envoys to build a spy network, you can gain insight into the economic activities, resource management, and trade secrets of other empires.
Gathering Intelligence on Resources: Espionage can be used to gather intelligence on the resources and assets of other empires. This includes information about their stockpiles, deficits, and trade preferences. By understanding their resource management, you can identify their economic strengths and weaknesses. This knowledge can be advantageous during trade negotiations or when forming economic alliances.
Selling Intelligence: Information gathered through espionage can also be leveraged for economic gain. You can sell intelligence to other factions, especially those facing new enemies. This not only improves your economic standing but also potentially creates new alliances or trade opportunities.
It's important to note that espionage in Stellaris allows for subterfuge and sabotage, enhancing the role-playing options for players. However, building a spy network takes time and resources, and there is a risk of spies being caught or losing assets during espionage missions.
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Establish connections with highly advanced races to access the diplomacy screen
Establishing connections with highly advanced races is a crucial aspect of diplomacy in Stellaris. To access the diplomacy screen and enhance your interstellar relations, here are some essential insights and strategies:
Firstly, understand that the diplomacy screen in Stellaris is accessible only through connections with highly advanced races, as primitives lack the capability for such interactions. This exclusivity sets the stage for strategic decision-making and intricate negotiations.
When establishing these connections, pay close attention to the indicators on the diplomacy screen. The first indicator provides a comparison of your empire's military and technological potential with that of the chosen highly advanced race. This comparison takes into account factors such as fleet tonnage, maximal potential tonnage based on controlled planets, and technological advancement. If the assessment indicates "superior" for the highly advanced race, it's prudent to maintain good relations with them.
The second indicator reveals their attitude towards your empire, influenced by their assessment of your strength and capabilities. The colours green, orange, and red signify friendship, neutrality, and hostility, respectively. A positive attitude increases the likelihood of your offers being accepted, so consider sending favourable offers and engaging in alliances that benefit them.
To further enhance your diplomatic endeavours, consider utilizing envoys. These minor leaders can be assigned to specific tasks, such as improving relations with the highly advanced race, which will grant a positive opinion modifier over time. Alternatively, you can assign envoys to harm relations, build a spy network, or investigate first contact. However, keep in mind that once an envoy is assigned a task, reassignment is not possible for a year.
Additionally, focus on maintaining lasting treaties with highly advanced races. This generates trust, which increases their opinion of your empire. The Direct Diplomacy perk from the Diplomacy tradition tree can also boost your trust cap. Remember that trust decays over time if there are no ongoing treaties in place.
Lastly, be mindful of the ethics and policies of the highly advanced races you intend to connect with. Certain empires may be wary of dealing with you due to differences in ethos and government type. Seek out races that share similar values and ideals, as this will increase the likelihood of successful diplomatic relations.
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Frequently asked questions
To improve diplomatic relations, you can assign envoys to perform various diplomatic tasks, such as improving relations with another empire, which grants +0.25 opinion per month to and from the target empire. You can also establish a connection with other empires via the diplomacy screen in the Communications tab. This will allow you to learn more about their ethics, political system, and attitude towards your empire. Additionally, you can engage in trade deals, which can yield better deals than the market and help foster positive diplomatic relations.
Regular empires, megacorps, and hive minds each have a civic that gives 2 additional envoys. You can also gain 2 more envoys by completing an Interstellar Assembly, and there are techs that unlock Empire Unique buildings that can give an additional 2 envoys. If you are the president of your Federation and it has unlocked the associated perk, you can have 1 more envoy.
Diplomatic interactions are influenced by the relative power of each empire, the structure of alliances, and the convergence of ethics. The AI will also generate a default attitude based on your welcome message during First Contact, so it is important to craft a friendly message to increase your chances of fluent diplomacy.
