Breakthrough technologies in Stellaris Stellaris guide, tips

Last update: 14 March 2019

While researching new technologies in Stellaris, you'll encounter research variants known as "rare technology". These technologies are characteristically marked in purple. If you notice a such technology, you should start researching it as soon as possible. Most of the time, they don't have any major influence on the growth of the empire, but is some cases, researching them can be especially important.

Remember that rare technologies usually open access to new sections of research in specific fields, so you can't ignore them. Depending on how much you base the strength of your empire on technology, you can use these technologies immediately after discovering or first develop other variations which will prove to be more useful during your game.

Below you will find a table containing all rare technologies available in the game.

Icon	Name / Category	Profits
	Global research initiative Physics	Edict: Map the Stars Building: Research Institute
	Orbital Sensor Arrays Physics	Module: Observatory
	Quantum Destabilizer Physics	Component: Quantum Destabilizer
?	Capacitor Fields Physics	Component: Capacitor Fields
	Zro Distillation Physics	Module: Navigator's Guild Resource revealed: Zro
	Hyperlane Mapping Physics	Feature: Hyperlane Mapping
	Synchronized Defenses Physics	Module: Synchronized Defenses
	Planetary Shields Physics	Building: Planetary Shield Generator
	Sentient Combat Simulations Physics	Component: Sentient Combat Computers
	Manifest Destiny Society	Border Range: +20%
	Virtual Combat Simulations Society	Building: Virtual Combat Arena
	Selected Lineages Society	Policy: Leader Enhancement - Selected Lineages
	Targeted Gene Expressions Society	Trait point: +1 Attachment: Xeno Cavalry
	Morphogenetic Field Mastery Society	Army: Xenomorph Army
	Capacity Boosters Society	Policy: Leader Enhancement - Capacity Boosters
	Gene Seed Purification Society	Army: Gene Warrior Army
	Gene Banks Society	Attachment: Clone Commandos
	Synthetic Thought Patterns Society	Edict Cost: -15% Resettlement Cost: -10%
?	Will to Power Society	Module: Orbital Mind Control Laser Attachment: Commissar Squads
	Droids Engineering	Army: Robotic Army Buildable Pop: Droid
	Corps of Engineers Engineering	Military Station Cost: -15% Military Station Health: +25%
	Synthetic Personality Matrix Engineering	Policy: Leadership - Androids Allowed

Dangerous technologies

There are two technologies available in the game which are considered as dangerous. They are marked in red in the research tab. In reality there are no obstacles for developing these technologies and you should definitely use them. You don't need to fit your policy to the research if you don't want to, but it could be an interesting experiment.

Sentient AI

Icon	Area	Profits
	Physics	Research speed: +10%

Commentary: It is hard to consider this research as dangerous by looking on its profits. Increased speed of research can only make it easier to develop new technologies. The danger is related to the fact that developing this technology allow research that can discover new artificial forms of intelligence which can be used to manage ships and fill slots on planets.

Synthetics

Icon	Area	Profits
	Engineering	Army: Androids Buildable Pop: Synthetic Policy: Artificial Intelligence - Citizen Rights

Commentary: This technology can be actually dangerous. On one side using an army of androids can be very helpful early in the game. It is worth mentioning that thanks to this technology it is possible to add synthetic life forms to the group of voters. Later in the game it is possible that the ruler of the empire will be selected from the synthetic population. Using technology might have great impact on the happiness of your main race and other races inhabiting the empire. It depends on species, but an artificial intelligence controlling a nation usually won't be well received.