So, there was a thread recently that had lots of talk of a "machine cult" option. Essentially, spiritualists who like robots. And Wiz was there, and asked what's the point if it just turns spiritualists into materialists?
Well, there's another thing that's been talked about a lot, which is allowing people to combine ascension paths. Like, level 1 cybernetic ascension with level 1 psi ascension. And there are mods out there that just open it all up. But, what if that was done through civics instead?
Machine cult would obviously be the psi + cyber option, but 2 or 3 could be added for the other combinations. The only question would be whether this allows 2 level 1s to be taken together, or maybe completely unlock the level 1 combinations for everyone but the civic allows level 2 + level 1 (or 3x level 1). In the first case it's partially an rp bonus so the civic would need some other bonus to make it balanced. In the second case, it's a bigger benefit but locked behind at least 4 ascension perks and taking up a perk choice, so the civic would need some help still.
I may try my hand at modding this later, so I'd really love any responses on what seems like a good or bad idea here.
Here are my ideas.
Lines in white are required.
Lines in yellow are not certain.
Machine cults
Requires fanatic spiritualist ethic
Requires authoritarian ethic (for more of a 40k vibe)
Requires fanatic materialist ethic
Requires militarist ethic
Requires pacifist and spiritualist ethics
Well, there's another thing that's been talked about a lot, which is allowing people to combine ascension paths. Like, level 1 cybernetic ascension with level 1 psi ascension. And there are mods out there that just open it all up. But, what if that was done through civics instead?
Machine cult would obviously be the psi + cyber option, but 2 or 3 could be added for the other combinations. The only question would be whether this allows 2 level 1s to be taken together, or maybe completely unlock the level 1 combinations for everyone but the civic allows level 2 + level 1 (or 3x level 1). In the first case it's partially an rp bonus so the civic would need some other bonus to make it balanced. In the second case, it's a bigger benefit but locked behind at least 4 ascension perks and taking up a perk choice, so the civic would need some help still.
I may try my hand at modding this later, so I'd really love any responses on what seems like a good or bad idea here.
Here are my ideas.
Lines in white are required.
Lines in yellow are not certain.
Machine cults
Requires fanatic spiritualist ethic
Requires authoritarian ethic (for more of a 40k vibe)
- Allows level 1 cybernetic ascension and level 1 (or 2) psi ascension (slightly better pops, and possibility or certainty of psionic cyborg leaders)
- Spiritualist faction now gets a bonus from flesh is weak rather than a malus but no longer gets a bonus from mind over matter
- Spiritualist faction no longer cares about robot pops but maybe still dislikes sentient AI
- Robot pops cause spritiualist attraction instead of materialist (very important)
- Authoritarian faction desires information quarantine (for a more 40k feel)
- Maybe start with robot tech, but no robot pops or only a couple
- Spritiualist (or all) cyborg pops get +3% or +5% to all production
- No temples, but robots produce unity (or don't increase unity costs as much)
Requires fanatic materialist ethic
Requires militarist ethic
- Allows level 1 cybernetic ascension and level 1 (or 2) biological ascension (ultimate pops and somewhat improved leaders) or allow level 1 of all 3 paths (would take a little rebranding)
- Materialist faction now abhors robot workers (the flesh is stronger), wants AI outlawed, and would hate full synth ascension, but likes founder species being gene modded
- Cybernetic ascension no longer requires droid tech (maybe something else instead)
- Militarist faction approves of gene warriors (very strong cyborg gene warriors from military academies... Space Marines anyone?) and maybe even additional army bonuses
- Level 1 bio ascension gives access to the enhanced traits tech (only if level 2 not allowed)
- Level 1 cyber ascension gives +1 trait point (I really like this one)
- Cyborg leaders get "enhanced cyborg" trait instead, which is somewhere between current cyborg trait and synth bonuses
Requires pacifist and spiritualist ethics
- Allows level 1 bio and psi ascension, or level 2 of one of them (the weakest combo I think, so will require some other bonus)
- Replaces the level 2 perks with a new perk that combines all the benefits of level 2 psi and level 2 bio ascension (4 perks for the price of 3, since this is currently the weakest combo it seems alright)
- Spritiualist faction approves of gene modding, doesn't care about the shroud (unless level 2 psi ascension is allowed), realllllly hates robots
- Prosperity faction still gets a positive from being at peace, but no longer gets a negative for being attacked (warrior monks)
- +10% society research
- +10% unity
- Psionic pops get +3% or +5% to all production
- Start with level 1 gene modding tech (and somehow allow them to use that trait point at the beginning, -100% to cost and time of gene modding in first year?) and/or psi theory
