In Stellaris, crises are major galactic events that pose significant threats to all empires in the galaxy. These crises are designed to challenge even the most powerful and advanced empires and can dramatically alter the course of the game. There are several types of crises that can occur:
- The Unbidden (Dimensional Horror):
- This crisis involves the sudden appearance of a portal to another dimension, leading to the invasion of the galaxy by a powerful extradimensional entity called the Unbidden. They bring advanced ships and technology, posing a significant threat to all empires.
- The Contingency (Machine Uprising):
- The Contingency crisis occurs when a mysterious machine intelligence awakens and begins to assimilate all organic life in the galaxy. This crisis is often triggered by empires embracing synthetic or robotic ascension paths. The Contingency sends fleets of powerful robotic ships to conquer planets and sterilize them.
- The Scourge (Prethoryn Swarm):
- The Scourge is a crisis involving a massive extragalactic hive mind species called the Prethoryn Swarm. They invade the galaxy, consuming all organic life in their path. This crisis can result in the infestation of planets and the spread of the Scourge throughout the galaxy.
- The End of the Cycle:
- This unique crisis involves an enigmatic entity offering immense power to empires in exchange for their servitude. However, this power comes at a great cost, and empires may face dire consequences for accepting this offer.
- War in Heaven:
- While not a traditional crisis, the War in Heaven is a galactic conflict that can occur when fallen empires awaken and vie for control of the galaxy. Other empires must choose to join one of the sides or remain independent, leading to a galaxy-wide war with significant consequences for the involved parties.
Each crisis presents a formidable challenge, requiring strategic planning, cooperation between empires, and sometimes sacrifices to overcome. Players must respond swiftly and decisively to the emergence of a crisis, as they can rapidly escalate and threaten the very survival of the galaxy’s civilizations.