The Balance Mod aims to provide a set of balanced data files for Space Empires V in keeping with the stock game along with competent and competitive AI opponents.

Captain Kwok's Balance Mod

Work on the Balance Mod began in August 2006 with the goal of creating new standard data files for Space Empires V that were balanced and in keeping with the Space Empires series. A number of SE:V beta testers helped with the initial direction of the mod, providing helpful feedback and even a few files. Since then, the work has continued for more than a year as lots of suggestions and comments from the Space Empires community have kept me busy tweaking and improving the mod. Hopefully the Balance Mod addresses most of the issues in the standard game and adds to the Space Empires experience.

Check out the feature list below for a brief summary of the main changes that were made. I'm always working on the mod and keeping it up to date with each SE:V patch and not to mention the fact that there is always something to improve - especially with the AI!

Balance Mod Downloads

To install, extract to your GameTypes folder. Say 'Yes' to overwrite files if you are updating a previous copy. Check out the Balance Mod Help Page if you are having trouble.

Can be used with SE5 v1.74+

Savegame compatible with all BM v1.20 series games!

Please note the v1.20 series is not compatible with v1.15+ saved games, empire files, maps or setup files!

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Can be used with SE5 v1.74+

Savegame compatible with v1.15+ games!

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Older versions of the mod (v1.20a/b, v1.19i, v1.15) can be found here:

Balance Mod Download Archive

Balance Mod Extras/Add-Ons

A variety of special event scripts or mini mods for the Balance Mod such as the Random Research Events, Pollution Event scripts or BM Small Systems.

Balance Mod Forum

SE5 Balance Mod Forums

The Official Balance Mod forums are hosted over at SpaceEmpires.net. Currently the forums are in archive mode but you can still access all the threads.

Steam SE5 Community Forum

Currently most active SE5 forum often featuring BM discussion and updates.

Balance Mod Help and FAQs

Balance Mod History

The complete public history log for the Balance Mod. It's updated with each new release.

Balance Mod Help

Need some help installing the mod or adding a custom race? Check the help page.

Balance Mod FAQs

Interested to learn more about the content or mechanics of the mod? Read the FAQs.

Balance Mod Minister FAQs

What do the ministers in the Balance Mod do? Read the Minister FAQs.

Balance Mod Resources

Balance Mod v1.20 Tech Chart (363 kb)

Detailed tech chart with index valid for the current BM v1.20 series.

Balance Mod v1.19 Tech Chart (130 kb)

Detailed tech chart with index valid for the BM v1.19 series.

Balance Mod v1.20 New Formations (445 kb)

Detailed tech chart with index valid for the current BM v1.20 series.

Balance Mod v1.20 Source Scripts (714 kb)

For interested modders who'd like to see how the AI is designed. Final v1.20 scripts.

Balance Mod v1.19j Source Scripts (403 kb)

For interested modders who'd like to see how the AI is designed. Last version of the v115+ series.

Balance Mod Features

Game Setup: Balanced Racial Trait costs, Government and Society Types

Incorporates Fyron's Quadrant Mod

General Gameplay: Detailed ability and modifier descriptions

Smaller Empire Flags for the system map

Increased consumption of organics by population

Less drastic effects for some Events

Revised leaky intel system to eliminate all-or-nothing intel attacks

Tech Tree: Reduced number of tech levels, but higher costs to eliminate need for frequent retrofitting

Enhanced organization of tech areas

Many items now under more appropriate tech areas

Improved balance in research costs for comparible items

Ships: Ship sizes increase in more useful amounts per level

SE:III style propulsion means bigger ships need more engines

Ships dedicate roughly the same percentage of space to engines/components/weapons - helps improve Small/Large ship balance

Additional maintenance or attack/defense modifiers for many ship hulls

Differentiated racial trait hulls for Organic and Crystalline empires

Additional design types for the player and AI

Auto complete function can design many more ship types to save time

Components and Facilities: Lots of changes to costs and effect amounts of Components and Facilities

Slight change in costs to encourage more diverse resource economies

Proportionate increases in ability amounts amongst related items, such as weapon damage and armor

Many components are now considered as cargo, expanding the use of freighters/transports

Less tedious ship design with logically organized components

Shields and Armor are more equivalent in their effects, which allows for flexibility in play styles

Weapons: Improved weapon balance allows more flexibility in weapon choices

Weapon mounts provide a less drastic increase in firepower for the change in weapon size

More effective point-defense