The government mechanics in Stellaris are now much more complex compared to its initial release. Several recent updates have been included with the downloadable content, Galactic Paragons, which introduce new elements to the gameplay. One of these mechanics is the Council, whose positions can be filled by powerful Leaders to amass various bonuses.

The council can take up several leaders, and the positions of these councils can be changed based on the government's civics. Some of these civic positions are much stronger than others. It's beneficial to have a highly efficient Council for the empire to try to succeed in surviving the galaxy.

Stellaris 7 Best Empire Unique Buildings, Ranked
Stellaris: 7 Best Empire Unique Buildings, Ranked

Players can ensure their empires maintain their supremacy by investing in the following unique buildings in Stellaris.

7 Pharmaceutical Executive

Civic: Pharma State Megacorp

stellaris-Pharmaceutical Executive
  • Pop Growth Speed increased by 1% (increased per leader skill level)
  • Habitability increased by 1% (increased per leader skill level)

Managing planets and having constant growth in each of them is one of the most important mechanics to master in Stellaris. A less optimal planet setup can lead to poor production of the pops, which can in turn potentially result in the empire being left behind. Quick growth is beneficial, and this can be accomplished with the presence of a Pharmaceutical Executive, made available by the Pharma State MegaCorp civic.

Feature Image of Stellaris Best Corporate Civics, Ranked
Stellaris: Best Corporate Civics, Ranked

These Civics are the best options for megacorporation empires in Stellaris.

Getting a sizable boost in pop growth, especially during the early game, allows jobs to fill quickly, increasing resource output. The additional habitability bonus allows the empire to quickly expand without worrying about the species' main habitability as well.

6 Speaker Of Parliament

Civic: Parliamentary System

stellaris-Speaker Of Parliament
  • Council Agenda Speed increased by 3% (increased per leader skill level)

Launching quite a powerful Agenda is one of the main reasons why having Leaders with a specific trait of increasing the speed of a Council Agenda is crucial. These agendas can easily boost a previously weak empire into a powerhouse. This is made possible by the Speaker of Parliament civic position, obtainable with the Parliamentary System civic.

Stellaris Best Council Agendas, Ranked
Stellaris: 7 Best Council Agendas, Ranked

Here are some best council agendas players can prioritize in Stellaris.

The bonus is simple: increasing the Council Agenda launching speed. In some situations, this can be the only thing an empire needs. When the position is filled with a Max Level Leader, the bonus can go up to 30%, making it easy to launch agendas in quick succession.

5 Grand Storyteller

Civic: Heroic Past

stellaris-Grand Storyteller
  • Leader Experience Gain increased by 2% (increased per leader skill level)
  • Governing Ethics Attraction increased by 2% (increased per leader skill level)

Having leaders with an exceptional number of levels is always beneficial, especially after they obtain Destiny Traits. These traits can be the trump card for an empire to hold to become the leader of the galaxy. Moreover, there are Renowned Paragons Leaders, who can hugely aid an empire's progression, and who benefit the most from leveling up.

Feature Image of Stellaris Best Legendary Paragons To Prioritize, Ranked
Stellaris: Best Legendary Paragons To Prioritize, Ranked

Legendary Paragons can be a great boon to lucky empires in Stellaris. Here's which ones to prioritize, ranked.

Having a Grand Storyteller position, unlocked by the Heroic Past civic, can enable those leaders to rapidly gain level, as it increases their experience gain by a huge amount. One thing to note is that the Heroic Past civic might require a specialized playstyle focused around leaders. A build without that focus will only squander the civic's bonus of increasing leaders' capacity.

4 Minister Of War Production

Civic: Fanatic Purifiers

stellaris-Minister Of War Production
  • Monthly Alloys increased by 2% (increased per leader skill level)

Having a large number of alloys at an empire's disposal is always a good thing, especially for empires with the aspiration of either leading or dominating the galaxy. The Minister of War civic council position can increase alloy production. However, note that having the civic position will lock the player's playstyle into becoming a Fanatic Purifier due to its civic prerequisite.

A maxed-out leader can increase monthly alloy production by 20%, which can easily finance a new Battleship each month for certain conditions. It is a must-have council position for an empire that wishes to cleanse the galaxy of species other than its own.

3 Minister Of The Seas

Civic: Anglers

stellaris-Minister Of The Seas
  • Food from Anglers increased by 0.3 (increased per leader skill level)
  • Consumer Goods from Pearl Divers increased by 0.2 (increased per leader skill level)

Due to its inherent bonuses, Aquatic has become the must-have for certain powerful trait combinations that ensure a species thrives in the galaxy. The trait can be obtained by having the Anglers civic, which in turn also unlocks the Minister of the Seas council position.

The Aquatic trait also unlocks the powerful Anglers and Pearl Divers jobs, which replace some generic jobs such as Farmer on planets. These jobs' output can be increased by having a maxed-out leader occupying the Minister of the Seas seat, ensuring a steady increase in both food and consumer goods.

2 Divine Conduit

Civic: Divine Sovereign

stellaris-Divine Conduit
  • Resources from Psionic Pops from Telepaths increased by 1% (increased per leader skill level)

Empires that are willing to pick the Psionic Ascension Perk will notice the tremendous increase in productivity of their pops, thanks to Telepaths and the innate bonuses of being a Psionic species. These bonuses can be further augmented by the Divine Conduit council position, only obtainable via the Divine Sovereign civic.

The Divine Conduit can further increase the productivity of the Psionic Pops by 10% with a maxed-out leader occupying the position. This opens up a variety of possibilities, such as a quick technological advancement, or a humongous increase in resource production.

1 Lord Commander

Civic: Crusader Spirit

stellaris-Lord Commander
  • Ship Fire Rate increased by 1% (increased per leader skill level)
  • Army Damage increased by 2% (increased per leader skill level)

Having the strongest fleet in the galaxy can be achieved by having several prerequisites, such as having optimal ship designs and bonuses for ships' fire rate and damage. The Lord Commander council position will allow an empire to prosper in terms of naval engagement, provided that they have the required Crusader Spirit civic.

Feature Image of Stellaris 7 Best Ship Components, Ranked
Stellaris: 7 Best Ship Components, Ranked

Knowing what the best ship components are in Stellaris is necessary for players wanting to construct a powerful fleet.

In addition to increasing ships' fire rate, the council position also increased army damage, ensuring a successful invasion of the enemies' colonies. However, Commanders who wish to occupy the position will need to have the Crusader trait, making it necessary for the empire to scout the brightest Commander with that specific trait.

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Stellaris
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8 /10
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Released
May 9, 2016
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Platform(s)
PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre(s)
4X, Grand Strategy