Effects of the end game ascensions speculation

[Swarm lover]

Title says it all anyone wants to discuss is welcome.

So with the three ascension paths I hope that the effects won't simply numbers. What I mean is that the ships change according to your ascension road. It would make sense, synthetics don't require as much space or oxygen as organics and could modify their designs for better efficiency. The evolution masters could make bio ships (not necessarily like the prethoryn) that are grown rather than built (Space faring animals already exist so I don't see why this wouldn't be possible.

I get the whole synthetic ascension having a relation to the AI revolution, but I seriously hope that the psionic ascendancy will not give you the chance to be buddies with the unbidden. It wouldnt make sense either, there are three unbidden factions and they clearly arent friends with each other fighting for some throne if I remember. Rather they would see you as a potential rival or something like that.

Ascenscion unique ships: So what I really hope paradox does is make unique and powerful ships and buildings for each ascension. In sid myer beyond earth I was so excited when I rolled out my first xeno titan and I seriously hope paradox capitalises on this potential. I am not asking for a doomsday weapon just unique units (from corvettes to battleships and maybe beyond) depending on your path.

Path rivalries: Those that follow one path might not like other paths.

 

[BlackUmbrellas]

I have to imagine that the three lines are asymetric- they wouldn't nesseccarily do comparable things. We can be fairly confident in guessing that the Synthetic Ascension is, in effect, an "official" means of playing an all-synth empire; there may well be no additional bonuses to it, just a means of replacing all your biological POPs with Synths without the problems of purging and vulnerability to "Ban AI" War Goal or the AI Rebellion taking away your entire population.

I suspect that the Genetics Ascension is more about making your POPs hyper-specialized than general biotech. The second tier "unlocks additional trait options", so either it'll have new traits, the trait system will be getting a rework, or its a "legit" means of obtaining some of the unavailable special traits for things like Uplifts.

I share your hope that the Psionics Ascension is unrelated to the Unbidden (the Unbidden don't have a relationship to psionics- it's Jump Drives that attract them, psi or not). I expect it to be based around Ethics divergence- reducing your own, increasing the pressure on your neighbours, etc...

I have no strong feelings on ship visuals or such changing. I just hope Psionics doesn't turn you into energy beings, because that's hard to explain mechanically without making your POPs awfully similar to Synths.