What is the most functional version of the game?

[Uskayaw]

Hi.

I got to Stellaris when it was at 2.2.2. It's combat AI isn't working, which destroys all the fun for me.

So, I'm looking for a version to install which is actually challenging and balanced.
The most logical step would be to just rollback to 2.1.7, but some people claim that its AI is broken too and the latest good version is 1.9.

So, what is the last most playable version, and why?

 

[Inquizitor]

2.2 is the latest most playable build. I will never go back.

 

[Annihilat0r]

Both 1.9 and 2.1 are fairly good. 1.9 is a quite different game with three different types of FTL (warp, wormholes and the current only option of hyperlanes). I prefer 2.1, but you could give both a try.

 

[rubert]

Without mods? Latest 2.1 branch version. 2.2.3 (the current beta branch) is ok if you use Glavius' AI mod as otherwise AI might as well not exist though even 1.9/2.1 AI is not very good either. Steam probably has mods for that, too.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1591738937

 

[AmpsterMan]

1.9 and 2.1 have somewhat different feels to them. I suspect that in the coming months the issues with 2.2 should be fixed.

 

[Uskayaw]

Latest 2.1 branch version. 2.2.3 (the current beta branch) is ok if you use Glavius' AI mod as otherwise AI might as well not exist though even 1.9/2.1 AI is not very good either.

I know about this mod, but decided not to install it yet because fleet AI is only planned feature.
Author claims that vanilla AI doesn't even check hostile fleet strengths. Is this true for all versions?

 

[Sigma 582]

stellaris_test (beta branch) + glavius + growth fix

 

[MechaThumper]

Both 1.9 and 2.1 are fairly good. 1.9 is a quite different game with three different types of FTL (warp, wormholes and the current only option of hyperlanes). I prefer 2.1, but you could give both a try.

And jump drives are a fourth that work like a mix of warp jumps and wormholes.