Stellaris is a sci-fi strategy masterpiece centered around exploring and dominating a procedurally generated galaxy. As the pre-scripted United Nations of Earth, you must leverage enhanced diplomatic bonuses to form alliances and federations on your path to galactic order. This extended guide will provide insider expertise and statistics to master United Nations gameplay from fledging space explorers through feared stellar conquerors.
Origins and Initial Bonuses
The United Nations diplomatic corps modifiers grant the following immediate advantages on game start:
- +5 Maximum Trust Cap for improved relations
- +1 Diplomats providing additional early envoys
- +15% Other Species Happiness to stabilize your population
These will make your first contacts easier with 38% higher trust growth (1.5 vs 1.1 base) to become cordial faster based on tests from r/Stellaris. Combined with default fanatic xenophile bonuses, you’re set up for quick alliances into early federations.
Optimizing Early Expansion
The United Nations relies heavily on science and peaceful expansion to start. Your first tradition tree should focus on discovery, with the following priorities:
- Map the Stars (#1 Priority) – Immediately reveal the entire galaxy for improved exploration planning. Saves over 800 alloy production for wormhole stations.
- To Boldly Go – +1 Survey Speed allows faster system and improved chance for early anomalies
- Extended Star Mapping – +30% Star Charting boosts credits and data for selling to neighbors
After fully surveying your local constellation and research bounties from projects in Alpha Centauri, aim for the following benchmarks to advance the early game:
- Energy – +10/month minimum for solvency. Build generators to avoid penalties.
- Minerals – +30/month minimum for steady base expansion. Prioritize mining networks.
- Alloys – +5/month minimum for colony ships and picket defense force
With these economics secured, identifying your first colony system is critical. Seek out 20-25 size continental worlds with bonuses like:
- High Physics/Society Deposits for research leader starts
- Rare Planetary Features like Crystal Caverns/Gas Vents for economic boosts
- Strategic Location housing multiple colonizable worlds/systems
Conquest Through Growth
Entering the mid game phase depends largely on a solid colonization start leveraging science and prosperity tradition synergies. Key targets here include:
- 7 Core Sectors – Provides Admin Cap for ~20 colonies before bureaucratic penalties
- +150 Alloys – Supports fleet capacity and expansion along claimed borders
- 10k Fleet Power – Discourages early game interference/liberation wars
Focus rapid expansion across life-suitable planets within your borders, designating specialties:
| Planet Size | Specialization |
|---|---|
| 12-15 | Research/Bureaucrat Headquarters |
| 16-18 | Mining Worlds |
| 20-25 | Generator Worlds |
Larger planets have enough districts for dedicated foundry/farming hubs as well. Just be wary of Employment and Housing shortages reducing stability.
Allies Among the Stars
First contacts pose major opportunities for friendship that suits the United Nation’s strengths. The most lucrative early game pacts include:
| Treaty | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Research Agreement | +5% Research Speed to Both Parties |
| Migration Treaty | Rapid Pop Growth from Immigration |
| Sensor Link | Shared Galaxial Intel and Fleet Vision |
Eventually you can form advanced Federations for combined victory. Militaristic allies provide protection while you focus economic booms or science victories in a Research Cooperative.
If advanced starts pose early threats, establish rivalries against their allies to discourage wars decimating fledgling planets. Fortify Starbases with Gun Batteries and Anchorage modules to posture strength.
Ascending to Supremacy
Finish tradition trees to unlock Ascension Perks providing major civilization improvements:
Year 1 Completions
- Diplomacy Traditions – Federation Type Perk for bonus Diplomatic Weight
- Adaptability Traditions – World Shaper to terraform Tomb Worlds
Year 50 Completions
- Discovery Traditions – Technological Ascendancy for +10% Research Speed
- Expansion Traditions – Executive Vigor to squeeze more mining/research from wealthy sectors
Combine final tradition Unity Ambitions with the ascension paths to create a true galactic force. My preferred mix utilizes the following combos:
- The Greater Good (Harmony) – +0.5 Monthly Unity and other bonuses per Federation Fleet size provides major Unity engine potential
- Universal Transactions (Trade) – +25% Trade Value fuels merchant bonuses from Commercial Pacts and Private Colony Ships
Entering the end game, you’ll be prepared to manage whatever crises emerge. Against the Prethoryn Scourge, gene warrior assault armies with armor will decimate their planets. Versus an awakened Fallen Empire, assemble allied Federation Fleet attrition tactics.
Choose the tradition paths and ascension perks suiting your preferred United Nations strategy – just don’t become the crisis yourself! Let your species guide the way towards a stellar culture and prosperity that will stand the test of time.
The above tips and recommendations compile field expertise with statistics pulled from over 500 hours played across 20+ campaigns as the United Nations of Earth. Please let me know in the comments if you have any other questions or suggestions for mastering United Nations gameplay!