Build / Tier List
Applies to v4.4 · Last verified: July 10, 2026
This is the highest-traffic page on the site, so it gets re-checked within 24–48 hours of every major patch. Ratings weigh opening stability, mid-to-late-game scaling potential, and multiplayer strength.
Verification note: patch 4.3 "Cetus" made a broad rebalance pass on job efficiency and production values (see the 4.3 patch notes), and patch 4.4 reworked AI colonization logic. The tags below (game version, last-verified date) are accurate, but the underlying tier ratings and specific numeric advice in each build were largely set before this rebalance and haven't all been individually re-tested against it yet. Treat tier placements as directionally reliable and specific numbers as due for a re-check.
| Tier | Build | Playstyle | Core Civics / Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Here Be Dragons (Science Origin) Full Opening Guide | tall · science · pve | Meritocracy, Technocracy |
| S | War Doctrine Aggression Build | war · aggressive · pvp | Warrior Culture, Feudal Society |
| A | Best Titan Build for the Endgame: Fleet Command Loadout | war · endgame | Warrior Culture, Feudal Society |
| A | MegaCorp Trade Build: Building an Economy Around Commerce | trade · megacorp · economy | Corporate Dominion, Merchant Guilds |
| A | Hive Mind Wide Expansion Build | wide · hive-mind · pve | Devouring Swarm, Rapid Replicator |
| A | Machine Empire Assimilation Build | wide · machine · pve | Rapid Replicator, Memory Aggregator (authority) |
| A | Psionic Ascension Build Guide | tall · psionic · pve | Fanatic Spiritualist, Death Cult (optional) |
| A | Technocracy Tall Build: Maximum Research Output | tall · science · economy | Technocracy, Meritocracy |
| B | Tall Pacifist Build: A Non-Aggression Economic Playstyle | tall · pacifist · economy | Beacon of Liberty, Diplomatic Corps |
| B | Void Dwellers Opening Build | tall · habitat · pve | Merchant Guilds |
| B | Wormhole Rush Opening Build | wide · rush · pvp | Agrarian Idyll, Warrior Culture |
| C | Isolationist Fortress Build | tall · defensive · beginner-friendly | Pacifist ethic, Fortification tradition tree |