Version This article has been verified for the current PC version (2.7) of the game.

Every habitable planet has the potential of developing different kinds of intelligent beings that may, naturally or not, develop technologically. Sometimes, such beings reach a crucial point in their development that allows them access to FTL technology and, as a consequence, the ability to become full-fledged interstellar empires.

A species may or may not equate with an empire. At first, every empire will be made up entirely of its original species but eventually, it may include other species through conquest, migration pacts, enlightening pre-FTL cultures, or accepting refugees.

The portrait of a species can be changed at will through pop modification if the Genetic Resequencing technology is researched, although the species class cannot be changed.

Species identity [ edit ]

At galaxy generation species are divided into species class groups, parent species and sub-species.

There are 10 different species classes, representing species with similar observable characteristics, including its morphology or physical form and structure, its developmental processes and its biochemical and physiological properties.

A parent species is the first spawned species of its kind (a kind is defined by its species portrait and name). A sub-species is created when a pop modification template is applied to a parent species or another sub-species and is considered to be the same species for the purposes of xenophobia, xenophilia and species rights.

Species within the same class group will be less affected by xenophobia and xenophilia, with the effect increasing if they share the same portrait. If two species are created during galaxy generation with the same portrait and name they will be considered the same species.

List of species classes [ edit ]

Several species are pre-defined, including the Humans of the Sol system. Each species portrait available to start a new empire will belong to one of the following classes: Arthropod (insect-like), Avian (bird-like), Fungoid (fungus-like), Humanoid (human-like), Mammalian (mammal-like), Molluscoid (invertebrates), Reptilian, Plantoid (part of the Plantoids Species Pack DLC), Lithoid (part of the Lithoids Species Pack DLC) and Machine (part of the Synthetic Dawn DLC).

Each species have traits and ethics that can be selected, as well as homeworld preference. Traits and ethics are independent of the species or portrait selected, though players can, of course, use the portrait art as inspiration for their choices, adding to role-playing.

The first ruler of every empire can be customized. For non-humanoid species customization is limited to colors and possibly clothes, while some humanoid species feature hairstyle customization too. Humanoids are the only species group to feature differences in gender appearance.

Different species will use different voices and manners of speaking when contacted via the Contacts menu.

Note: The order of the portraits is meant to reflect their in-game order.

Humanoid [ edit ]

The humanoids are the only species class that uses different models and voices for each gender. Also, each humanoid portraits has its own diplomacy voice.

Human

Humanoid #2

Humanoid #3

Humanoid #4

Humanoid #5

Ten additional portraits are available as part of the Humanoid Species Pack DLC.

Humanoid HP #1

Humanoid HP #2

Humanoid HP #6

Humanoid HP #7

Humanoid HP #8

Humanoid HP #9

Humanoid HP #10

Humanoid HP #11

Humanoid HP #12

Humanoid HP #13

Mammalian [ edit ]

Most of mammalian portraits have a unique insult targeted specifically to them.

Slender #5

Massive #13

Normal #10

Massive #14

Slender #4

Normal #9

Massive #11

Normal #6

Slender #3

Massive #12

Normal #7

Massive #15

Slender #2

Normal #8

Slender #1

Massive #16

Massive #17

Ketling / Racket

The Evil Porcupine (Massive #17) portrait was originally exclusive players who pre-ordered Stellaris before being released as part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC accompanying the Adams patch.

Reptilian [ edit ]

Slender #02

Normal #10

Massive #14

Slender #03

Normal #07

Massive #12

Normal #09

Massive #11

Normal #06

Normal #13

Slender #01

Normal #08

Slender #04

Massive #15

Slender #05

Reptilian #16

Reptilian #17

The Fairy Dragon (Reptilian #17) portrait is part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC.

Avian [ edit ]

Slender #01

Normal #08

Massive #13

Normal #10

Massive #15

Slender #04

Normal #07

Slender #05

Normal #09

Normal #06

Massive #11

Slender #03

Massive #14

Slender #02

Massive #12

Massive #16

Massive #17

Avian #18

Note: The Chirpy portrait (Massive #16) is available to those who login to their Paradox account while in-game.[1]

The Dinosaur Bird (Massive #17) portrait was originally exclusive to players who pre-ordered Stellaris before being released as part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC accompanying the Adams patch.

The Peacock Avian (Avian #18) portrait is part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC.

Arthropoid [ edit ]

Massive #14

Normal #07

Massive #12

Normal #06

Slender #01

Massive #13

Normal #08

Slender #03

Slender #05

Normal #09

Normal #10

Massive #11

Massive #15

Arthropoid #18

Massive #16

Arthropoid #20

Massive #17

Arthropoid #19

Note: The Shadowy Arthropod (Massive #17) portrait was originally exclusive players who pre-ordered Stellaris before being released as part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC accompanying the Adams patch.

The Arachnoid (Massive #16) portrait is included only in the Nova Edition or the Galaxy Edition of Stellaris.

The Larvae (Arthropoid #20) portrait is part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC.

The Mantis Shrimp (Arthropoid #19) portrait is available to those who login to their Paradox account while in-game[2]

Molluscoid [ edit ]

Slender #03

Normal #07

Massive #13

Slender #02

Massive #14

Slender #04

Normal #08

Slender #01

Massive #11

Massive #12

Slender #05

Normal #06

Massive #15

Massive #16

Molluscoid #17

Molluscoid #18

Note: The Hydra/Xenomorph (Massive #16) portrait was originally exclusive to players those who pre-ordered Stellaris before being released as part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC accompanying the Adams patch.

Fungoid [ edit ]

Slender #02

Slender #04

Slender #03

Massive #13

Massive #12

Normal #06

Massive #15

Normal #07

Slender #01

Normal #09

Massive #11

Normal #08

Massive #14

Normal #10

Massive #16

Fungoid #17

Note: The Fungoid Infected Mammalian (Massive #16) portrait was originally exclusive to players who pre-ordered Stellaris before being released as part of the free Anniversary Portraits Pack DLC accompanying the Adams patch.

Plantoid [ edit ]

The Plantoid class is part of the Plantoids Species Pack DLC. If the Ancient Relics DLC is enabled this class can be played with the Baol portrait but plantoid ship and city appearance will not be available.

Slender #02

Normal #06

Slender #01

Massive #11

Slender #03

Massive #13

Normal #07

Massive #15

Normal #10

Slender #05

Normal #09

Massive #14

Slender #04

Normal #08

Massive #12

Baol

Lithoid [ edit ]

The Lithoid class is part of the Lithoids Species Pack DLC. Each portrait has its own diplomacy voice.

Lithoid #01 - Golem

Lithoid #02 - Lava

Lithoid #03 - Geode

Lithoid #04 - Angelic

Lithoid #05 - Mantis

Lithoid #06 - Symbiotic

Lithoid #07 - Pyrite

Lithoid #08 - Sedimentary

Lithoid #09 - Spider

Lithoid #10 - Unicorn

Lithoid #11 - Levitating

Lithoid #12 - Crystal

Lithoid #13 - Exo

Lithoid #14 - Snake

Lithoid #15 - Spined

Machine [ edit ]

Machines are not a naturally evolved species but rather an artificial one that can be constructed with the required technology or if by starting as a machine empire. Each portrait has its own diplomacy voice.

Machines share the same portraits and some traits with Mechanical species. When a regular empire first creates robots, they'll use the portrait that matches their main species' class.

Common

Lithoid

Humanoid

Mammalian

Reptilian

Avian

Arthopoid

Molluscoid

Fungoid

Plantoid

Crisis species [ edit ]

These are species that accompany the arrival of Endgame Crises. They cannot be found or built before a crisis is triggered.

Prethoryn Scourge

Unbidden

Aberrant

Vehement

Contingency Custodian Bot

Species archetypes [ edit ]

Species classes are further grouped by species archetypes. Each of them can have different mechanics and even available traits.

Species archetype Trait Upkeep resource Multiplication Modification Additional mechanics Available on start Biological Food Growth Genetic Can create hybrid species with all biological groups Lithoid Lithoid Minerals Growth Genetic Can use some natural resource traits

Can use the Calamitous Birth origin Machine Machine Unit Energy Assembly Cybernetic Must use Machine Intelligence authority Robotic Mechanical Energy Assembly Cybernetic Unlocked through Robotic Workers technology Pre-Sapient Any pre-sapient trait None Cannot multiply Uplifting Does not wear clothes

When it refers to Robotic, it's usually refering to both Mechanical species and Machine Unit species, not just the former.

When it refers to Biological, it's usually refering to only Biological species, except for Bio-Trophy and Biological Ascension Path being shared between Biological and Lithoid species.

When it refers to Organic, it's usually refering to both Biological species and Lithoid species.

Compliments and insults [ edit ]

When contacted, empires with a high opinion may compliment you while those with a low opinion may insult you. The flavor text depends on the ruler's species. Species that wear and do not wear clothes also have a special insult with each other.

Species class Compliment Insult Human angel monkey Non-Human Humanoid

Mammalian sphinx beast Reptilian dragon lizard

newt Avian phoenix bird

chicken

dodo

buzzard Arthropoid scarab bug Molluscoid kraken parasite Fungoid chanterelle shroom Plantoid rose weed Robot

Machine elegant automaton

technological marvel tin can

toaster Lithoid gem rock