The government mechanics inStellarisare now much more complex compared to its initial release. Several recent updates have been included with the downloadable content, Galactic Paragons, which introduce new elements to the gameplay. One of these mechanics is the Council, whose positions can be filled by powerful Leaders to amass various bonuses.
The council can take up several leaders, and the positions of these councils can be changed based on the government’s civics. Some of these civic positions are much stronger than others. It’s beneficial to have a highly efficient Council for the empire to try to succeed in surviving the galaxy.
7Pharmaceutical Executive
Civic: Pharma State Megacorp
Managing planets and having constant growth in each of them is one of the most important mechanics to master inStellaris. A less optimal planet setup can lead to poor production of the pops, which can in turn potentially result in the empire being left behind. Quick growth is beneficial, and this can be accomplished with the presence of a Pharmaceutical Executive, made available by thePharma State MegaCorpcivic.
Getting a sizable boost in pop growth,especially during the early game, allows jobs to fill quickly, increasing resource output. The additional habitability bonus allows the empire to quickly expand without worrying about the species' main habitability as well.
6Speaker Of Parliament
Civic: Parliamentary System
Launching quite a powerful Agenda is one of the main reasons why having Leaderswith a specific traitof increasing the speed of a Council Agenda is crucial. These agendas can easily boost a previously weak empire into a powerhouse. This is made possible by the Speaker of Parliament civic position, obtainable with the Parliamentary System civic.
The bonus is simple: increasing the Council Agenda launching speed. In some situations, this can be the only thing an empire needs. When the position is filled with a Max Level Leader, the bonus can go up to 30%, making it easy to launch agendas in quick succession.
5Grand Storyteller
Civic: Heroic Past
Having leaders with an exceptional number of levels is always beneficial, especially after they obtain Destiny Traits. These traits can be the trump card for an empire to hold to become the leader of the galaxy. Moreover, there areRenowned Paragons Leaders, who can hugely aid an empire’s progression, and who benefit the most from leveling up.
Having a Grand Storyteller position, unlocked by the Heroic Past civic, can enable those leaders to rapidly gain level, as it increases their experience gain by a huge amount. One thing to note is that the Heroic Past civic might require a specialized playstyle focused around leaders. A build without that focus will only squander the civic’s bonus of increasing leaders' capacity.
4Minister Of War Production
Civic: Fanatic Purifiers
Having a large number of alloys at an empire’s disposal is always a good thing, especially for empires with the aspiration of either leading or dominating the galaxy. The Minister of War civic council position can increase alloy production. However, note that having the civic position will lock the player’s playstyle into becominga Fanatic Purifierdue to its civic prerequisite.
A maxed-out leader can increase monthly alloy production by 20%, which can easily finance a new Battleship each month for certain conditions. It is a must-have council position for an empire that wishes to cleanse the galaxy of species other than its own.
3Minister Of The Seas
Civic: Anglers
Due to its inherent bonuses, Aquatic has become the must-have forcertain powerful trait combinationsthat ensure a species thrives in the galaxy. The trait can be obtained by having the Anglers civic, which in turn also unlocks the Minister of the Seas council position.
The Aquatic trait also unlocks the powerful Anglers and Pearl Divers jobs, which replace some generic jobs such as Farmer on planets. These jobs' output can be increased by having a maxed-out leader occupying the Minister of the Seas seat, ensuring a steady increase in both food and consumer goods.
2Divine Conduit
Civic: Divine Sovereign
Empires that are willing to pick thePsionic Ascension Perkwill notice the tremendous increase in productivity of their pops, thanks to Telepaths and the innate bonuses of being a Psionic species. These bonuses can be further augmented by the Divine Conduit council position, only obtainable via the Divine Sovereign civic.
The Divine Conduit can further increase the productivity of the Psionic Pops by 10% with a maxed-out leader occupying the position. This opens up a variety of possibilities, such as a quick technological advancement, or a humongous increase in resource production.
1Lord Commander
Civic: Crusader Spirit
Having the strongest fleet in the galaxy can be achieved by having several prerequisites, such as havingoptimal ship designsand bonuses for ships' fire rate and damage. The Lord Commander council position will allow an empire to prosper in terms of naval engagement, provided that they have the required Crusader Spirit civic.
In addition to increasing ships' fire rate, the council position also increased army damage, ensuring a successful invasion of the enemies' colonies. However, Commanders who wish to occupy the position will need to have theCrusadertrait, making it necessary for the empire to scout the brightest Commander with that specific trait.
