I swear... comp empires are polar opposite

[The False King]

So I've played Stellaris for a few years now and have enjoyed it immensely as I'm sure many others have. There is one thing though that has been bugging me and I can't remember if it's always been like this and I simply never noticed or if it's new, but every game that I make. I swear.... every other empire that is created at the start is the EXACT opposite of my empire....

If I make a materialist egalitarian, then the rest of the galaxy is a fanatic spiritualist or authoritarian. If I'm a fanatic xenophile then everyone is xenophobic, etc... Maybe this is me just seeing things and the game just happens to create 9-11 other empires that are polar opposites of me and it's just a string of bad luck. It would feel accurate if I played tri-ethos empires like I used to, but even when I pick a Gestalt empire or something then everyone is magically a spiritualist who says I'm a "soulless" machine which turns my internal clockwork rotator cuffs and starts the planning of mass extermination of all sentient life in the galaxy and all I want to do is pamper you with clothing and a comfy chair while you read your spacelings to sleep.

Assuming I'm not completely crazy and there is something behind the scenes that make other empires spawn as your opposite ethos then I ask, "Is there a way to reduce it?" because I'd actually like to create a xenophile empire and engage in what little diplomacy I can where the entire galaxy aren't a bunch of hungry space cockroaches or cracked up space men in power suits set out to purge the entire galaxy of xenos.

 

[xxvb85]

I always see the same thing.

It seems like about 80 - 90% of the time, all the empires around me have the opposite ethos or at best are empires that hate everyone. Typically the empires that share my ethos are on the opposite side of the galaxy. Doesn't happen 100% of the time but often enough that it really bothers me if I'm trying to play a federation game.

I typically get around it by making my own empires that I force into the game, not perfect but guarantees there are at least some like minded empires in my game.

 

[Star Foth]

Could be a good game start option.

As-is having opposite ethos nearby presents a decent level of expansion opportunities but lessens diplomatic opportunities. But in all honesty, I'd rather have it completely randomized so sometimes I get friends nearby sometimes I get enemies nearby sometimes I get a mix nearby, etc.

 

[MightyFox]

That's by design I believe. It's intended so that there is actually a high chance of conflict in your galaxy. My issue with it is it makes everything polar opposites, and leaves room for few 'neutrals'. But I suppose if I spawned in a galaxy full of pacifists, I'd be looking at an entire game of boring tall empire growth, or easy pickings. (Or they all form a federation and leave me out of it. Had that happen before)

If you find it an issue, you can always select your own pre-made empires to populate the galaxy with you.

 

[Riftwalker]

yeah, i believe that nearby spawns are supposed to me your opposites and that distant ones are random.

 

[methegrate]

It might depend on how often you make diplomatic empires.

I forget the thread, but someone did a great analysis on how often the AI generates the various empire types. Something like more than half the empires that the game generates are hegemonic imperialists and slaving despots.

 

[Chthon]

I play a machine empire, and everyone in the galaxy has found religion... great...