Welcome to the Stellaris planet ascension guide. Planetary ascension or planet ascension tier is a unique feature reducing empire size and increasing production on the targeted planet. Utilizing it is highly beneficial, especially after completing traditions.
Never ascend tech, factory, forge, and industrial worlds because they don’t increase production. Instead of production increase, these said world designations only reduce job upkeep and district build speed. Except on ring segments, they do increase tech production on each ascension level. That’s why I always rush ring worlds to boost my research levels to the sky.
I try to ascend most populated planets like ring segments. Because ascended planets have reduced empire size. Ascending planets with higher population is the most optimal way of reducing empire size and increasing production.
Pro tip: Don’t bother ascending regular planets with small planet sizes. It’ll be a waste because ascension cost increase is somewhat multiplicative. I would recommend ascending ring segments, capital world, and big-sized ecumenopolis / machine world candidates.
I think planetary ascension is a Stellaris noob trap because ascension button is very tiny, almost invisible to the eye… An unaware player might fall behind a lot for not utilizing planetary ascension mechanic.
To get the most out of planet ascension, you’ll need to have ascensionists civic. Also, I recommend having at least one specialized unification world for getting enough unity for ascending multiple planets.
Ascension Civic
It appears as elevational hypotheses for machine empires and gigacorp for corporate empires. For regular empires, this civic is called ascensionists.
Taking ascensionists civic requires to be at least some degree of spiritualist. I usually don’t pick this tradition at the start because there are much better options. Besides, you don’t need planetary ascension bonuses or empire size reduction at the early game anyway.
But once I unlock the third civic slot, I instantly get ascensionists civic. That’s the most optimized way.
Can also employ minister of ascension after taking ascensionists civic. Minister of ascension grants +2% unity bonus per level which is huge.
Unification Worlds
Unification farming worlds in Stellaris are specialized planets that are only focused on producing unity. It’s best to designate a planet to a production of single resource for stacking production bonuses.
- Unity workers are called bureaucrats, priests, coordinators. Different names for different empire types.
- Unity worlds are called either unification center or ecclesiastical center.
I overdo it by designating two unification worlds, but you can simply have one and be okay. The reason I focus unity is to rush traditions ASAP because empire-size increases traditions costs. Though once I get an ecumenopolis, my two unification worlds are disbanded, pops transferred, and ecumenopolis is ascended to level 10. Just look at the thumbnail above for the result, one planet and 3000 unity production. It’ll be enough up until the end-game screen.
Pro tip: Can build a special building on an orbital ring built around unification world for increasing unity production even more.
There are couple of other ways of increasing unity. For example, you can take one vision and consecrated worlds ascension perks for +30% total unity bonus. Check out my Stellaris ascension perks tier list for more information.
Artisan troupe will also give 10 years of +10% unity bonus for 1000 to 5000 energy credits. Always take this deal and renew it when it ends because it’s just too good to pass. They’ll also offer you a special unity building called ministry of culture giving +15% unity bonus from jobs.
Unity is very important in every part of the game. You can ascend planets, run edicts, rush campaigns, and go nuts on leaders.