L-Gates are a mysterious and ancient network of wormhole-like structures that connect distant star systems. They are a key feature introduced in the Distant Stars story pack expansion. Here’s what you need to know about L-Gates in Stellaris:
Discovery and Activation:
- Exploration: L-Gates are initially dormant and scattered throughout the galaxy. You can discover them by surveying star systems. When a science ship surveys a star system with an L-Gate, it becomes active, and you can see its connections to other L-Gates in the galaxy.
- Special Project: To activate an L-Gate, you need to complete a special project called “L-Gate Insight.” This project becomes available once you’ve surveyed a star system with an active L-Gate. After researching the L-Gate Insight, the corresponding L-Gate becomes functional.
Benefits and Challenges:
- L-Gate Clusters: L-Gates are often found in clusters, connecting several star systems. These clusters can contain unique opportunities and challenges, including special resources, anomalies, and powerful spaceborne entities.
- Strategic Importance: Controlling L-Gates can provide significant strategic advantages. They allow for rapid movement across large distances, enabling quick response to threats, reinforcement of distant fleets, and exploration of uncharted regions of the galaxy.
- L-Gate Insights: As you explore and activate L-Gates, you gain L-Gate Insights. These insights are essential for unlocking the mysteries of the galaxy and accessing certain late-game content related to the L-Gate network.
Late-Game Secrets:
- Grey Tempest Crisis: The L-Gate network is closely tied to the Grey Tempest, a formidable and aggressive robotic civilization. When you explore L-Gate clusters, there is a chance of encountering the Grey Tempest, triggering a galaxy-wide crisis.
- Ancient Relics: Exploring L-Gate systems might lead you to ancient relics and artifacts, revealing the history of the galaxy and providing powerful bonuses or insights into advanced technologies.
Gameplay Considerations:
- Technological Prerequisites: To make the most of L-Gates, it’s recommended to research Jump Drive technology. Jump Drive allows your fleets to jump instantaneously between star systems, making exploration and strategic movement even more efficient.
- Strategic Planning: Consider the placement of L-Gates in the galaxy when planning your empire’s expansion. Controlling L-Gate clusters can give you a considerable advantage, but it also requires careful defense against potential threats.
L-Gates add an element of mystery and discovery to the late-game phase in Stellaris, offering new challenges and opportunities for ambitious spacefaring empires. Unlock their secrets, explore the unknown, and navigate the vast galaxy using the ancient network of L-Gates.