Stellaris Machine Age Synthetic Ascension

[@MontuPlays]

GRAB 70% off Stellaris & up to 50% off Stellaris DLC in the Humble Bundle Stellaris SALE: www.humblebundle.com/store/stellaris?partner=montuplays This link will take you to the Stellaris humble bundle store home page where you can then find other DLC recommended below in 'Related Content' or search for 'Stellaris' (or whatever else you want).

[@PuppetMasterdaath144]

Never played this and it looks difficult

[@lazarus1272]

Individualistic Machines: "Look at what they need to mimic a fraction of our power!"

[@reeven1721]

Yeah, ngl this kinda sucks. Synthetic Ascension is the OG path to machine individualism and it feels like the devs just stole it to create a version that's better *on top* of being available straight from game start. The *journey* of a biological civilization ascending themselves into machine bodies *being one of the first to do so at galactic scale* was the entire point, and making it a default start option cheapens that roleplay and sucks the fun out of it.

[@AGuy-vq9qp]

​@@reeven1721They also ripped the flavour of progressing from cyborgs to full metal jhst so people could have le funny cyborg ascension.

[@MJ-dn4pb]

Think, Montu, think!

[@Jokie155]

@@reeven1721 Nah, I hated that individualist machines weren't a starting option. That really sucked out so much of what I wanted to see personally from story exploration. I'm glad it's finally been added in.

[@lite4998]

@@reeven1721 Speak for yourself. I always hated how you couldn't start as individualist machines. I do think they should buff synth ascension for biological empires though. Like, maybe make the advanced ascension paths available after it?

[@Rickus316]

Montu has assimilated his consciousness up to a Synth I’m 100% sure with all these videos dropping

[@MontuPlays]

Hello fellow organics, hows it going?

[@fluttershygirl6180]

@@MontuPlays it's going quite Emotion Emulators today? hmm? (You've been doing amazing on your videos! keep up the great work.}

[@blahmaster6k]

@@MontuPlays So many organic meatbags in the comments. They have so many fleshy bits, and all that water. How they can stand the constant sloshing, I have no idea.

[@taputapu2619]

I call BS. Clearly he's an organic in a synaptic lathe

[@spacegremlin9972]

Lets not forget the BANGER OSTs this dlc added, they best stellaris music has ever been

[@justinsinke2088]

Heh, virtual government type for imperial authority is pretty much becoming the Necrons from Warhammer 40K. Can you imagine how hard the empire would be to conquer if you turtle with that, subterranean, sovereign guardian, and vigilance? Your planets would be an absolute bear to conquer. Hmm...I wonder if you can also start with Reanimators so that there's not only a 1/3 chance of your defeated armies coming back, but a chance each attacking army being defeated adds zombie defenders to your side.

[@TheNarrator6020]

A friend of mine made a terrifying build with virtual. He went sovereign guardianship + citizen service. His soldiers started the game producing 3 unity each (the base for priests is 4) with no upkeep. He then immediately took unyielding so they became better than priests. And rushed virtual ascension and a commisioner admiral to level 8 in order to get the quartermaster destiny trait. Which made his soldiers produce minerals and energy so he could just spam out only soldiers and be entirely fine. At the end he had 100k armies.

[@lucjanl1262]

​@@TheNarrator6020 so, could soldiers be alternatively used in virtual ascention rush? If they are better than priests at cost of small upkeep while also providing other bonuses, could they be spammed to gain goatload of unity and unlock virtual ascention quickly (or any other ascention tbh)?

[@jakebhenry2228]

@@TheNarrator6020When you are so geared for war that your spirituality is eclipsed by a need that there is a battalion for every home.

[@TheNarrator6020]

@@lucjanl1262 Soldiers have literally no upkeep so with that build they're just entirely better than priests and it's silly. And yes you can use it with any militarist build to rush any ascension virtuality was just to make himself impossible to invade as any pops that died to collateral were instantly recreated.

[@ryu8421]

There are still some bugs with this update with virtual leaders. Surrendering to a certain fallen empire still has your president murdered somehow despite being uploaded virtually and seemingly being immortal. Would be nice to have some kind of Agent Smith flavor text, but right now it just doesn't make sense.

[@pll3827]

Setting up Biological Enclaves, then having everyone in them forcefully 'harvested' to gain pops and remove a blocker. Peak Stellaris moment.

[@mohamedjear8917]

it is really sadening to see regular synthetic ascension fading to irrelevance.

[@filipwolffs]

Yeah... It's cool that machine has gotten some love, but for Synthetic Ascension lovers it's a bittersweet thing.

[@nt78stonewobble]

Well, if you play single player, you can still choose to play just for the fun of it and the way you want to, even if it's just for roleplay and immersion. :) I do agree, that it would have been nice to see all the things be fully integrated together, but sadly sometimes we have to settle for less.

[@mohamedjear8917]

@@nt78stonewobble I wish the custodians would balance them up in the next updates.

[@nt78stonewobble]

@@mohamedjear8917 I suspect there will be a lot of balancing going on in the future.

[@daniellundberg9225]

Under One Rule offers a path to making regular synth ascension still relevant on power level, unless that's been stealth nerfed I guess. TBH I'm struggling with synth ascension more for the fact that there's /still/ no portraits I like. Can't we get like human-looking synths looking at least as cool as the tech cards make them out to be, please? It's actually an issue, for me personally, overall. Most of the Stellaris portraits, while well made, lack depth and options that give variety to the leaders. I'd happily open my wallet for pure cosmetic DLCs is they could offer that, and maybe some bug fixes on the side. :P

[@Kracsader]

Montu missed the part where machine's "durable" trait just reduses upkeep

[@Xcyiterr]

yeah I was wondering about that too

[@Kracsader]

@@Vaprous Did you generate this comment by AI? Pop upkeep reduction doesn't affect amenities and almost useless in this game.

[@unholyxeras8182]

@@Vaprous Pop upkeep is literally just the food/minerals/energy each pop requires (At Base this is 1 of the relevant resource per pop) In the case of Robots, this means their energy upkeep. Honestly, the Durable trait is just not worth it for saving a tiny bit of energy per pop

[@Xcyiterr]

​@@Vaprous lol no that's just wrong

[@robguy8501]

He found that out on stream recently during a play through. Honestly it's really silly that they used the same name and icon when they added the cybernetic durability trait but made it completely different from the machine trait it looks like.

[@MrLunahalo]

they should, for thematic purposes, come up with an ascension path for robots to turn into a bio empire.

[@carlanderson5068]

Call it "More than Machine" and have a Robin Williams Bicentennial Man inspired pic.

[@dinglemccringleberry9019]

Machines "grow" Biological bodies to transfer their consciousness similar to Biologicals "assembling" Mechanical bodies.

[@s0meb0dy78]

I just love feeling the excitement that this DLC has added again to Stellaris again. I think more Event Chains is the way forward for the game. Now I want more sci fi stuff to happen in my game...

[@fleischerkalle7198]

Now I can fully larp as necrons with imperial transmission

[@jet-blackjo2455]

Glory to the Infinite empire

[@sampfrost]

seems dumb that synthetic ascension can’t access the three machine ascension paths, and made me restart my run because of it

[@mohamedjear8917]

Spot on

[@gggggg-jy7up]

Your audiovisual medium causes my emotion emulators to be stimulated with "joy"

[@PreciseGameplay]

I'm really grateful for these new ascension breakdown vids, thanks Montu.

[@papichulo7241]

Now we just need something like this for the other Ascension paths

[@jakobknudsen6864]

Indeed!

[@brycehunter3457]

I'm sure it is coming

[@tachyonrailgun]

I really think they just need to bring all the bio ascensions up to par with the new machine ones. Rebalance the new ones, then add to the bio ascensions to make them as interesting. I think more than strength the old ascensions need more flavor and story. Interesting mechanics and strength would come with it. Psionic is the closest but even that need a little love.

[@jakobknudsen6864]

I would be shocked if one or more future DLCs did not rework Biological & Psionic ascensions to bring them up to par with cybernetic and synthetic (flavor/option wise). Especially given how well-recieved this DLC was

[@amirali4428]

7:16 Hey montu. Did u miss that synth durable trait is the crappy one that machines get? 10% upkeep instead of 50% less ameneties

[@MontuPlays]

You know what, I did! That sucks!

[@dianabialaskahansen2972]

It is sad that synthetic ascension is so poor compared to the machine paths. Really think the end bonuses of the tradition should be nearly similar to Virtual or Modular.

[@iterationfackshet1990]

Honestly synthetic ascension seems best for under one rule with the bonuses you get from that and the advanced government authorities.

[@caad5258]

The one advantage Synthetic Ascension has over Individual Machine starts, is that they can assimilate organic pops.

[@Vaprous]

I mean so can Individualistic Machines ....right into the Synaptic Lathe.

[@caad5258]

@@Vaprous true

[@owenmcgee891]

Not a small advantage. Pops are power.

[@denzeldenzel6377]

Thats it guys. Montu synthetic ascend to be able to put so much content in such a little time. My hero does not use a cape, he is a machine

[@noragrey7016]

I can not pick the virituality while i am Synthetic Fertility Origin and also I didn´t get the advanced Goverment with SF.

[@johnquach8821]

Thank you so much for posting this video! I think the synthetic governments are interesting!

[@zix2421]

I love this one so much. Thank u for such informative vid

[@drunkengibberish1143]

Dang it they won’t let me make an under one rule fanatic purifier machine empire! I want to lead an army of kitchen appliances under the rule of the Toaster Above All!

[@AizaakThurston]

One thing I noticed is you can now assimilate everything with this ascension. Individual robots, gestalts of both types etc. Also you can colonize a planet during the Synthetic event and the new planet will have your old bio pop who will be working a roboticist job. Very nice for playing large galaxies where you want to minimize the amount of species later on (and on the flipside Necrophage cannot assimilate individualist machines or gestalts or have an unique origin...)

[@Nooctae]

What would be the current power order of ascensions ? I feel like it's something like S- Virtual A- Nanite, Psionic, Modularity B- Synthetic, Cyborg, Biological I'm not sure though, it's hard to have enough experience on all of them. It's rather interesting that Machines have their own 3 ascensions now though, even if they powercreep the organic ascensions hard.

[@MANoob100]

Psionic isn't as good as Modularity. Modularity is borderline S, I think it can actually give Vitrual a run for its money in the right circumstances. Psionic may be slightly weaker than the new Cyborgs and Synths, even if they're not on par with machine ascensions. My current ranking, which may be wrong and needs more testing: Virtual Modlarity Nanotech Synthetic Cyborg Psionic Bio I actally disagree with Montu that Synth is weaker than Cyber, while it does feel like bootleg Modularity it still gets way more pop growth than Cyber/Psi with similar levels of pop efficiency now thanks to things like exotic fuel engines and takes about the same time to get (slightly longer but only very slightly so). The one I'm least sure of is Nanotech, it does feel powerful but it takes time to take off and I haven't really optimised a Nanotech rush build yet.

[@Nooctae]

@@MANoob100 Interesting. Sounds like I need to do another Modularity run, I'm probably not remembering everything it gives. I think people tend to undervalue psionic, but I also tend to value it higher than most too. A very quick Eater of World Covenant is a really scary timing that other ascensions don't hit.

[@MANoob100]

@@Nooctae Modularity is pretty simple, it just gets +75% output from traits with easy to pay strategic resource upkeep (dark matter engines and exotic fuel), plus ti gets insane assembly, around 20 with all the normal bonuses, though right after ascending it will be more like 10. And you can go beyound 20 if you find scavenger bot or go cosmogenesis as cosmogenesis gives you a spammable roboticist building. So you can go wide and get very strong pop output + tons of pop assembly, genesis guides is a pretty strong civic for this style as it allows you to rush asension with its big unity rewards every time you uplift and even more pops, just need to have a decent number of planets around to colonise. Psionic i would say was the best non gestalt ascension in 3.11, in 3.12 though everyone got substantial buffs so I'm not sure it holds up to Cyber & Synth now (It may still) Cyber and Synth got their ascension rush origins now, and Synth got easier to get. They also got more pop output across the board, including access to automodding and Synth gets a lot of pop assembly. Psy can outproduce them on the sanctum world (which you can make into an ecu and resettle everyone there), but a lot of things need to align to make it happen.

[@ma3dhr0s44]

An unrelated question but if you are individualistic machines, what do you do with regular pops you have conquered? Can you assimilate them like synthetic path?

[@radeksilar543]

With Virtuality Oligarchy, Cutthroat Politics civic and leader skills lovering Edict fund, I was able to reduce Edict cost to -90%. From then while all Edicts active, nothing could stop me, even with my obsolete ships.

[@nomoreweebs]

while the bonus for bio-synth empires are worse i wouldn't discount the fact that they get assimilation besides virtual empires they should have the most pop growth .

[@covilderagnaros1028]

I like Overturned Genetic Ascension. You can get both Auto-Mod Traits (Vocational Genomics and Fleeeting Excellence)

[@johnbauman4168]

Pop growth is irrelevant for virtual machines. Have jobs available? Instantly filled. I really don't see any reason to begin as an organic with the goal of synthetic ascension, other than just for roleplay

[@kgptzac]

There are new toys made for machine empires on top of giving previously synth ascension toys to machines. Sure, but there aren't new toys made for bios ascending to be machines even compare to the cybernetic ascension.

[@Teyloune]

Highly interesting! Do you think this Ascension Path should be buffed in power to the level of what individualistic machines can achieve?

[@derpidius6306]

I think it should given how much later you get Synth ascension as a bio empire versus a machine empire, Synthetics is a late game tech whereas machines ascending just need to reach the third ascension perk

[@pepito4131]

Hii thx for the vidéo. Question : what is the advantage to take synthétique or cybernique , mechanist ,whereas we can take / be à robot directly ? Thx

[@vladimiravich7260]

10:45 *The Necron have entered the chat*

[@regiliok]

i wonder how strong a bio hive mind can be with this new update and what paths are the best for that

[@keulron2290]

To my knowledge, I could be wrong, a hive mind wouldn’t be able to take this ascension. If they can though, I’d imagine it would basically just be the same as when you start out as a machine race in the first place.

[@ObiwanNekody]

So much great content in this DLC

[@keulron2290]

Imagine a Necrophage that takes the machine route because they realize their method of propagation is eventually going to run out.

[@CyberspaceEnt]

do individualistic machines get the new governing types? or are my mods conflicting and messing with the DLC? it the new governments only a Biological thing?

[@Vaprous]

11:53 - Its also absolutely *terrible* when you actually do the pop math, even if you just kept them clerks and had them keep their trade value boosting bonus.

[@michamirowski4673]

I wonder when bio will get their own version of this

[@sylvie_v2939]

So we know bio-synths suck, but is there any point in bio empires at all versus the new virtual meta?

[@argeorunter9009]

Now thwy have to do something with genética to make it somewhat more powerfu. Is a shame that un the end they does not do the mechanic of alternating betwen gestalt and individualitic.

[@МенМаатСет]

3:10 АААА - NECRONS!!!!!!!!!

[@mfwiseesomeonet-posing7395]

how come i cant choose a new government with the synthetic fertility origin?

[@denverbeek]

Top-tier intro reference

[@tylerpetersen6226]

Which ascension would you say is strongest for biological pops?

[@Technoanima]

Essentially we become Cyrax in Mortal Kombat or Necrons in WH40K.

[@alexroman8878]

Can I make this ascension playing as rogue servitor or psyonic for example? I do have biological entities in empire, don’t I?😅

[@owenmcgee891]

No mention of the Virtual Focus policy for (non-megacorp) synthetic virtual advanced governments? Looks like a game changer, and not necessarily in a good way.

[@barnabybilsbey]

I think we're gonna see weird builds with overtuned and the ruler deaths perks

[@erixperience4050]

So does the new situation break the "keep a few bio pops" trick?

[@ДанилКонаков-в3г]

It's a huge bummer that paradox essentially made synth ascension slower and worse modularity instead of.. replacing it with modularity for organics as well.

[@paulcatindig2260]

Day 22 of asking for a renowned and legendary paragons tier list! Also I saw 10 million power dimensional fleet in my game yesterday???!!! It’s possible to get fleets of that size???

[@carlanderson5068]

10 million??? Man, I stink at this game, though I do like it.

[@shinkicker404]

Was super disappointed to find out that Synthetic Fertility didn’t have the option to Virtually ascend. Why you can’t is beyond me, the new options should not be just limited to empires that start as a machine. It should be an incentive to go towards it.

[@ДанилКонаков-в3г]

You can.. kind of. You miss on all the quirks that make virtual ascension unique, but i guess you do get virtual trait. Why paradox give organics butchered version of modularity and virtual ascension instead of.. actual modularity and virtual ascension is beyond me tho. They didn't even crack numbers for it to be comparable, which would still be freaking lame, but would be something

[@ciphermk7408]

Montu has an enslaved a virtual species to publish this many videos

[@Kommerzman]

Bro is pumping out content like... a machine...

[@aquaregia3928]

Wow I’d like the job of Chief Scam Bro from my boy Steve

[@mister_enemy]

Day 10 of asking for a new Megacorp Civic tierlist

[@mister_enemy]

Dya 10 of asking for a new Megacorp Civic tierlist

[@ThelordHayden34]

This is why I don’t get individualist machines. Gameplay wise it invalidates synth ascension .

[@frankieortiz1490]

What's the best machine origin?

[@Bede__]

Arc welders + Astro mining drones civic, Virtual ascension, Cybrex precursor ringworld, Cybrex mining bay, Warforms, and relic. Potentially also catalytic processing, unyielding tradition rush for 33% more alloys from jobs and popless hydroponic bay spam.

[@johnmcclane5561]

Durable and Loyalty Circuits are one of the worst traits to pick as synths btw.

[@frankieortiz1490]

Can we to top 10?

[@confreeknor1]

pls have the music less loud

[@quotenpunk279]

2:48 People who did not play Soma: :)) People who played Soma: O____O

[@nothuman3319]

are robots just the best?

[@jakebhenry2228]

I wish they could have a civil war feature with this. I mean, if I was being uploaded into a machine I’d 100% fight back and also everyone would fear government oversight

[@machixius]

F for synths. I hate to say it but machines probably need a nerf.

[@Tyrownious]

Become Mr House

[@s0meb0dy78]

Stream. I want Stream.

[@adalbertojunior9836]

Speed

[@elliothobbs1469]

I know it's spelled 'clerk' but you pronounce it 'clark'

[@MontuPlays]

Interestingly, only in modern British English. In the US and other colonies the original pronunciation never changed from (klĕrk) to (klärk). So, both are fine, and if you want to discuss 'correct' pronunciation I suspect the original that has carried on in the majority of English speakers is better!

[@TinaxThePossessedArmor]

there's some issues on your Voice, check on your microphone or your recording software, good day.

[@alanna_weiss]

I hope psionic ascension will be reworked like this too - situation, new government types (depending on the patron maybe?), less "omg I don't need ship repair give me the shields/chosen one" rng frustration, that kind of stuff.

[@orgashi4932]

God damn mate get some sleep.

[@sambalzan2561]

First comment 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@inzyniertv9305]

Last comment

[@dank42069]

80 views in 3 minutes, fell off (jk, just commenting for the algorithm)

[@joshua-ov4ne]

you do not need to have 3 ascensions synthetic ar cybernetic can be the second ascension