How much do you think a Dyson Sphere should produce ?

[The Founder]

I think the idea that only small empires* can or will use megastructures is a bit daft. Everyone is going to get some manner of ascension perks I'm assuming.

You asume that wide Empries will have exatly 0 valid ascension perks in the slots 1 through 4. And that simply does not add up.
If you can not afford the ascension perks (you need 2 with 4 slots), then the mineral costs do not mater. That is the point of Traditions, Unity and Ascension perks: Economy does not mater. That rare selection you do does.

 

[Less2]

You asume that wide Empries will have exatly 0 valid ascension perks in the slots 1 through 4. And that simply does not add up.
If you can not afford the ascension perks (you need 2 with 4 slots), then the mineral costs do not mater. That is the point of Traditions, Unity and Ascension perks: Economy does not mater. That rare selection you do does.

I'm not assuming that. I'm assuming that, given the mineral costs we've seen, large empires are going to be able to afford ascension perks about as soon or sooner than small empires can afford the minerals. I also state that if for some reason large empires don't choose to unlock megastructure ascension perks in favor of otherwise focused perks (like conquest-focused perks), then that's actually increases the power gap between large and small empires since they'll get something even better.