In Stellaris, strange anomalies and events are commonplace, some of which lead to unsettling discoveries. Accidentally unleashing horrors upon your planet is part of the game’s essence. This guide focuses on the “Don’t Count Your Planets” event, triggered by discovering a level 3 anomaly called Strange Mountain Formation, introduced in the Leviathan Stellaris DLC. Your scientists find what appears to be a mountain range but is actually the outer membrane of a gigantic egg. Now comes the decision: crack it open or study it from a distance?
Option 1: Study from Afar Choosing to observe from a distance results in a +4 Society Research deposit on the planet where the anomaly was found. A rather straightforward resolution, but not the most adventurous one.
Option 2: Crack the Egg Opting to crack the egg open has interesting outcomes. Approximately 90% of the time, a positive outcome occurs. In 17 out of 20 attempts, we discovered a “Galactic Omelet” inside, providing +8 Society Research deposit on the planet and a random tier 4 or tier 5 amount of stored Society research. This bonus can be particularly beneficial if the planet is near your empire or if you plan to expand to that system, especially in the early stages of the game.
Special Note for Devouring Swarm Empires: If you’re playing as a Devouring Swarm, you can “Feast” on the egg, gaining a +10 food deposit on the planet.
Unlucky Outcome: Dimensional Horror However, if luck isn’t on your side (or if you’re playing in Ironman mode and can’t reload a saved game), cracking the egg might unleash a dimensional horror. In this case, your science ship will send a panicked transmission, stating, “IT LIVES! IT LIVES AGAIN!” The horror will swiftly destroy the ship and its scientist. While you’ll still receive a +6 Society Research deposit for the planet, this outcome is less favorable.
In summary, the “Crack the Egg” event in Stellaris is relatively short and lacks dramatic consequences. The best-case scenario yields a useful bonus to Society Research, while the worst-case scenario results in the loss of a scientist and science ship but still provides a modest Society Research bonus. While there are more critical aspects of the game to focus on, encountering peculiar events like this is what makes Stellaris intriguing and unpredictable.