Influence is a crucial resource that represents the political, cultural, and diplomatic clout of your empire. It is one of the primary resources alongside Energy Credits, Minerals, and Unity. Influence is used for various purposes and plays a significant role in shaping the development and expansion of your interstellar civilization. Here’s how Influence works in the game:
Empire Edicts:
- Edicts: Influence is used to enact empire-wide Edicts, which provide temporary bonuses such as increased resource output, reduced ship and building costs, or improved diplomatic relations. Edicts can significantly impact your empire’s efficiency and can be tailored to suit different situations.
Diplomatic Actions:
- Diplomacy: Influence is essential for diplomatic actions such as forming defensive pacts, guaranteeing the independence of other empires, integrating vassals, or supporting factions within your empire. Diplomatic actions often require Influence points to execute and maintain, shaping your relations with other civilizations in the galaxy.
Claiming Systems:
- Claiming Systems: When engaged in wars, you can use Influence to make claims on enemy star systems. Claims represent your territorial ambitions and can lead to these systems becoming part of your empire if you win the war. Managing your Influence to make strategic claims is crucial in warfare.
Expansion and Colonization:
- Starbase Outposts: Influence is used to build starbase outposts in unclaimed star systems. Outposts are the first step toward claiming a system and can be upgraded to starbases later. Expansion into new regions of space requires careful expenditure of Influence points to establish control over key systems and resources.
Leader Recruitment and Assignments:
- Leaders: Influence is used to recruit new leaders (Admirals, Generals, Governors, Scientists, and Rulers) for your empire. It is also required for leader assignments, such as assigning governors to planets or scientists to research projects. Leaders play vital roles in your empire’s development and progress.
Factions and Unity Ambitions:
- Factions: Influence can be used to promote or suppress factions within your empire. Factions represent different political and ideological groups, each with its own agenda. Influencing these factions can lead to increased Unity generation.
- Unity Ambitions: Unity, another resource, can be converted into Influence through Unity Ambitions. These ambitions, which become available as your empire adopts traditions, allow you to convert excess Unity into Influence, providing a means to generate more Influence for your empire.
Galactic Council and Resolutions:
- Galactic Council: In the Federations expansion, Influence is used in the Galactic Community to propose and vote on resolutions that can affect the entire galaxy. Spending Influence can sway the results of votes in your favor, allowing you to shape the laws and policies of the Galactic Community.
Managing your Influence effectively is essential in Stellaris. It requires strategic planning, especially in balancing expansion, diplomacy, and internal politics. Wise use of Influence can significantly impact your empire’s growth, stability, and overall success in the galaxy.