Stellaris + 1 Leader Skill Build

[Theta]

One of my recent starting builds was focused on leaders.

Traits: Talented for +1 leader level. w/Slow learners & Fleeting.
Civics: Meritocracy for + 1 leader level.
Tradition: + 1 leader level from 3rd tradition in Discovery tree
This got me level 4 leaders very quickly - Level 5 leaders at recruitment arrived with selected lineages.

First, I'm not sure the cost/benefit works out. I struggled all game to manage resources and failed - some + resource traits may be more critical. Secondly, all of my leaders only had one ability and because they never leveled, they never got a chance for an additional modifier. Thirdly, the end game ascensions seem to remove leader lifespans limiting the replacement cost for high level leaders.

Anyone have any suggestions as to what would pair well with this build, and how you can take advantage of early leader levels?

Thanks

 

[holoween]

if you go heavy on tech its very nice since each level is a 5% research speed increase.

 

[Mztr44]

I did a build similar to that except I took the trait for faster leader experience. Like said, it's good for leading off tech heavy. Though in my opinion, the better deal is that you can pump out extra science ship's at the start and not have to worry about leaving high level anomalies for later, you can do them right away with low chance of failure.

The trade off for not getting additional modifiers is that if a leader dies he can be replaced instantly with a skilled leader. Admirals can still get the logistics skill (fleet upkeep) without leveling so never pick an admiral who starts with it.

The game I did this build in, I went cyborg so the cyborg bonus sort of made up for not getting new modifiers from level ups. In spite of using fleeting, most of my original leaders lived to full synthesis due to all the life extension boni I received (got lucky with tree of life early on). The memorable one being my Dragon slayer admiral who didn't quite make it.

 

[Bankipriel]

I've considered trying some kind of bug-race with the build you suggested, but I can't see a way around the influence cost of constantly needing to recruit new leaders. Given the finite nature of influence, and how crucial it is for expansion, a "fleeting"-build, as it were, seems like more of a handicap than a alternative way to handle leadership.