Anomalies occur randomly on Planets in Endless Space 2 and give a wide variety of powerful effects. Anomalies can be positive, negative, or mixed, and give bonuses or penalties to FIDSI, and even some rare bonuses. Moon anomalies can be explored once the right technology has been researched, and the negative effects of anomalies can be reduced in the later portions of the game.
Planets have three slots for special attributes, which can be filled with anomalies, Luxury Resources and Strategic Resources. Some anomalies can be discovered by exploring Curiosities. Planets with three anomalies can occasionally be found in the galaxy, and some anomalies are linked to Unique Planets.
Notably, the effects of the anomalies are treated as if they never exist if they weren't discovered, whether the effect is positive or negative. This could mean that there could be a certain incentive to not investigate curiosities on planets you want to colonize or are living on until you get the research to nullify it (especially in the case of Vodyani, who don't have access to anomaly reductions techs and can take large approval hits from negative anomalies).
Anomalies are represented with the 
symbol.
Unique Wonders[]
The number of unique wonders is determined by galaxy size, but two of the same wonder cannot exist. Planet-specific wonders are independent of galaxy generation.
| Anomaly | Effects | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
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The Academy |
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A fabled place of political influence and Dust-enhanced power, the Academy plays a key role in the development of the galaxy. Under the watchful senses of its founder, highly trained Heroes gradduate from this center of study, yet the ultimate purpose behind it all remains a mystery. |
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Dust Nebula |
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A warning beacon into the entire nebula rich with Dust tells its story. Due to poorly-controlled research, a strain of Dust ran wild and self-replicated out of control. By the time it was reined in, entire planetary systems had been converted to Dust, and no food remained for the handful of surviving researchers that left that grim note. |
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The Fallen Gardens |
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A space graveyard for vast structures of unknown provenance, the Fallen Gardens are a twilight world of ancient technology long forgotten and dormant. Some speculate the structures are starships of once-marvelous engineering now consigned to rust, strange mottled patches of fungus and vegetation crawling across their surfaces. Others claim they are the sloughed skins of Gods. What is certain is that the gardens are far from dead. |
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Husk of Knowledge |
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Auriga housed the greatest site for the study of xenobiology ever created by the genius of the Endless. A towering achievement of industry and science, the surface and crust of the planet were a warren of laboratories, biospheres, and research centers. When the bombs fell during the Dust Wars, this enormous installation became the greatest expanse of ruins -- and store of lost knowledge -- in the known galaxy. Should the laboratories ever be repaired and the data recovered, the scientific benefit would be unimaginable. |
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The Platform of Ys |
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The world was once the greatest shipyard of the concrete Endless. The skies above the planet darkened with the enormous spacedocks that worked day and night, building and repairing fleets. While much of the technology is lost, the platforms still provide both living space and planetary defense. |
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The Seventeen Thousand Islands Bridge |
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An archipelago of natural islands that span the gap between planet surface and space, hanging in the darkness like glittering stepping stones. The source of the power that maintains the islands in position is unknown, but many speculate that Endless technology is responsible. |
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Spotora's Sanctum |
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Also known as the Icarael's Watch, this is the one laboratory in all of the Endless-controlled galaxy that had the best claim to the discovery of the science of virtualization. Spotora Ortamm and her team are credited with the first consistent, replicable method for the virtualization of a sentient mind; the notes and equipment have enormous value in spite of their age. |
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Tree of Worlds |
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Originally a thing of branch and root, this hyper-grown life form reaches from deep within the planetary crust out into space. A strange, unique artifact of some biological experiment gone berserk, this "tree" houses cities and river systems, mines and farms. Certain heavily mutated branches even reach out into the vacuum of space, filtering Dust and minerals to feed its always-hungry limbs. |
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Tunnelled Slipgates |
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A natural anomaly whose probable existence is less than zero, this series of natural quantum-linked transport gates create “tunnels” from the planets’ surfaces to various points in the star system. This piece of space-time is full of bridges, shortcuts and holes, allowing rapid transport throughout the system. |
Beneficial Anomalies[]
| Anomaly | Effects | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ancient Ruins |
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Search teams discover ruins of one of the many ancient civilizations that have risen and fallen since the birth of the universe. Trade, tourism, and research could potentially benefit from this rare find. |
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Antonov Rings |
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Dense rings of beige and brown asteroids with erratic orbits, the planetary rings are fascinating for tourists and equally interesting for scientific studies. |
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Artificial Life |
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Maybe it is the combination of billions of precise factors, or maybe it is pure luck, but every attempt to create artificial life on this Crescent seems to succeed. |
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Behemoth Song |
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This strange planet emits natural sound and magnetic waves that imitate musical frequencies. The melodies can only be heard by ships in orbit with all electronics powered off, and their poignant beauty is said to be overwhelming. |
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Coral Reefs |
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Picturesque, rich, and fascinating, these lush reefs beautify the planet, provide sources of food, and are of interest to tourists (once they have been declared either non-lethal or only partially lethal). |
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Cyber Flora |
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A hybrid species that grew from Dust-infected lichen, this nearly indestructible plant can be found thriving even in the harshest conditions. Its beautiful, glossy sheen and interesting bio-technical properties create both a stunning environment and a source of scientific knowledge. |
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Dense Atmosphere |
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Lava planets in particular, due to the continual combustion and high temperature of their crust, have atmospheres that are dense in organic compounds. Though it renders them a challenge to colonize, this anomaly also helps to increase the agricultural output. |
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Deserted Cities |
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An eerie reminder of yet another lost civilization, deserted cities are scattered across the surface of this planet. Even stranger, many of the buildings and machines are still in working order. If a planet had been conceived to make scientists and engineers happy, it is this one. |
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Dust Accretor |
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Large quantities of Dust can be found in the dark nooks of this Crescent, as some of the materials used in its construction seem to attract ambient Dust. |
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Dust Halo |
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Though these vast fields of Dust obey the properties of fluids and appear to react to stimuli, they do not consume or replicate so they do not qualify as "living". Questions still remain as to whether they are sentient, however, for they do seem to react to most electromagnetic waves. Regardless, they are a boost to science and Dust, and their presence is always welcome. |
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Dust Lode |
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Once a base or battleground of the Endless civilization, their nanotechnological 'Dust' is omnipresent in the ground and atmosphere. |
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Dust Ruins |
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Many ruins from the time of the Endless were Dust-enhanced structures or traditional buildings that preceded the Dust era. On very rare occasions, however, one can find entire structures built uniquely from this valuable resource. |
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Fearful Symmetry |
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The planet's features exhibit a bilateral symmetry that is unnatural for its mathematical precision. One can only speculate as to what lies underneath the outer layers to cause this. |
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Friendly Locals |
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Native inhabitants can be classified in one of two ways: those who view you as friends, and those who view you as dinner. Fortunately, this is the former case. By accelerating the colonists' adaptation to the local ecosystem, they permit a higher density of population than is common on a planet of this size. |
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Garden of Eden |
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Lush and pleasant, with a single year-round season of moderate temperatures, life is good on this planet. Everyone benefits from its natural wealth: Residents, tourists, businessmen, and scientists. |
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Hadopelagic Life |
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Having deep oceans that are rich with life, this planet is abundant in hadopelagic creatures -- those that have adapted to the lightless environment at the bottom of the ocean and are tolerant of the tremendous pressures. They are not only a source of food, but provide useful scientific information on extremophilic life forms. |
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High-Energy Plasmasphere |
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A high-energy planetary ionosphere generates a particularly powerful plasma shield that naturally deflects incoming charged particles or projectiles. This field is not only a boon for scientific study, but is also a great source of natural energy as it can be harnessed as a continuous power source. |
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Hollow Planet |
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About as anomalous as an anomaly can be, this planet has vast subterranean spaces that are hundreds of cubic kilometers in size. Fascinating to tourists and scientists, it adds a great deal of habitable space that is highly defensible. |
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Humeris Insidentes |
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This planet was inhabited by a highly advanced race that died off when a massive volanic eruption induced a prolonged winter. The knowledge of their civilization was meticulously documented and stored in bunkers scattered across the planet. Clearly, they expected to rise up after the winter and continue their evolution. Sadly, the bunkers sit unlocked and unused, and the people have returned to the dust. Their knowledge, however, is yours to explore. |
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Huygens Rings |
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A rich, multi-colored band of asteroids surrounds this planet. Reflecting the star's light in green, gray, purple, white, and blue, they are a highly prized tourist destination as well as a ready source of minerals and alloys. |
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Komatiite Volcano |
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Dude, where's my silica? These volcanoes of ultramafic rock form deep within the planet's mantle are sources of useful metal alloys, and can be cheaply exploited for geothermal energy. |
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Low Gravity |
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A lower density of planetary core effects many things, of which gravity is the most notable. This has advantages for industrial production and makes kids really, really happy. |
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Microfactories |
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Another innovation of the Endless, some Visited planets were sown with these Dust-built millimeter-scale factories that convert mineral solids into nutrient chains for crops. Adaptable or 'trainable' to a wide range of ecosystems, they are an enormous boon to food production and agricultural labor. |
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Mineral Rich |
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Due to its formation from Dust clouds that spun off from the system's sun, the crust of this planet is unusually rich in minerals. |
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Molten Springs |
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Blessed--or cursed--by volcanic activity close to the surface and a metal-rich crust, geysers of molten metal spew their very dangerous and very valuable contents from numerous points on the planet. Industry and commerce can clearly benefit from this bizarre geology. |
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Mutated Flora |
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An example of biodiversity gone berserk, this planet shows a variety of plant mutations of every size, shape, color, scent, flavor, and psychoactive effect that one could imagine. Some of the more notable results include rich food supplies and ecstatic gourmet chefs. |
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Propitious Seasons |
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This is not merely a planet that has the benefit of an axial tilt that produces seasonal variations in weather; the seasons and their associated climates lend themselves well to agriculture. |
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Rich Soil |
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The soil of this planet is rich in bacteria and nutrients; crops will grow well and livestock will be healthy. |
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Strange Fossils |
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What strange beasts were these! Science Officers have discovered the remains of long-dead creatures that appear exceptional in every way -- size, variety, eating habits, and number of limbs. Anthropologists and cosmologists are eager to study these finds. |
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Talking World |
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There is a continual series of radio wave transmission from variable sites on the planet. Though they appear to be artificial and thus have some purpose, the transmitters have yet to be identified and the code or language remains an unsolved mystery. |
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Single Moon |
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A single moon orbits this planet, affecting the weather and atmosphere. Occasionally, moons can be the site of ruins and remains of older civilizations. |
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Binary Moons |
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Irregularities in orbit and tidal forces can be explained by the existence of these two moons; it is a rare enough phenomenon that some will certainly want to come and either study them, or write sappy ballads in their honor. |
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Multiple Moons |
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There are many strange effects that multiple moons can have on orbit, tectonic, and tidal forces. Some sects may even worship them, while other peoples are content to watch them chase each other across the sky. |
Mixed Anomalies[]
Mixed anomalies offer both positive and negative effects initially. The Science 3 tech Autonomous Materials unlocks the ability to reduce the anomaly (selected from the options directly below the planet), which removes the negative effects but keeps the positive effects.
| Anomaly | Effects | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Aurora Waves |
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Gleaming, multi-colored auroras last all day and night, moving eerily across the surface of the planet. Though their properties are greatly appreciated by residents and tourists, the electromagnetic residue is a headache for scientists. |
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Geothermic Activity |
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With lava rifts that pulse constantly and vast networks of minor volcanoes, two things are very clear about this planet: One: Industry can be powered cheaply and efficiently; Two: Inhabitants must watch where they step. |
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Hostile Fauna |
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While the beasts of this planet were first described as "giant," "primal," and "impressive," a more accurate description would have been "clever, silent, and ravenous." Though they are eagerly hunted and in fact are a good food source, few people enjoy living on a planet where the food pyramid is in fact a circle. |
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Ice-10 |
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A rare form of ice that is caused by water crystallizing under high pressures, Ice-10 is interesting for its thermodynamic properties. Its existence at only extremely low temperatures, however, means that the planet has a dangerous and hostile environment. |
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Metallic Waters |
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Rich in deposits of copper, iron, zinc, and other metals, the lakes and geysers of this planet are stunning to behold. The high metal content of the waters is also a boon to industrial development, as highly purified ores can be obtained through simple filtration. |
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Meteor Strikes |
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While frequent and heavy meteor showers deliver precious metals for free, they also make life dangerous and require continual repairs to any exposed object. Radioactive and loaded with heavy isotopes, the meteors also wreak havoc with scientific research (and researchers). |
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Permanent Monsoon |
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The good news: This is a water-rich planet and therefore of great value to agriculture. The bad news: This water is generally delivered horizontally in your face by gale-force winds. Tides and winds, fortunately, also provide ready sources of (wet) energy. |
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Psychoactive Air |
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With an atmosphere saturated by complex chemical compounds, life on this planet becomes interesting indeed if one does not breathe through a filter. Though the inevitable wandering thoughts make serious scientific research a bit difficult, it cannot be denied that everyone who lives here is really, really happy. |
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Seismic Activity |
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For those who like their rock and roll on a planetary level, this is the ideal home. Be warned, however, that though geo-physicists will adore it, it makes for nervous inhabitants and expensive construction. |
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Shattered Crust |
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The surface of this planet is a riot of cliffs, chasms, ridges, and spikes. While the broken surface means that many mineral resources can be easily mined, it also means that transport and construction will be challenging. |
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Flickering Matter |
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As a material construction created by an immaterial being, sometimes this Crescent flickers and loses its materiality for a few moments. Although this is fortuitous for the understanding of matter itself, it may not be such good news when what you are trying to build disappears unpredictably. |
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Pseudo-Atmosphere |
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A pseudo-atmosphere appeared during the creation of this Crescent. The way light passes through it creates unique visuals, so fascinating that even the most scientific minds tend to become aesthetes. |
Detrimental Anomalies[]
Detrimental anomalies are entirely negative, with no compensating qualities. The Science 5 tech Ontological Rev-Eng unlocks the ability to reduce the anomaly (selected from the options directly below the planet), which completely negates its effects. (The anomaly itself remains, as some System Improvements give benefits based on reduced anomalies.)
| Anomaly | Effects | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Acid Rain |
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Naturally occurring sulfur fumaroles cause highly acidic rain on this planet. This places heavy constraints on architecture and transport as well as creating a disagreeable atmosphere for the locals. |
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High Gravity |
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The unusually dense core of this planet gives it abnormally high gravity for its size. Architecture and industry must be adapted to deal with this. In addition, daily life is tiring and difficult. |
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Irradiated |
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High levels of cosmic rays coupled with naturally occurring sources such as radon make this planet a dangerous place. There is a high risk of cancer-related diseases, and the radiation levels complicate scientific experimentation. |
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Kessler Syndrome |
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An odd remnant of a past, lost civilization, the upper atmosphere of this planet is full of drifting debris. There is a cost to removing these remnants, and space-based experiments as well as satellites must be either expensively protected or often replaced. |
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Long Season |
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With an unusually long orbital ellipse, the planet has very long seasons and thus is exposed to extremes of cold in winter and heat in summer. While this is fascinating for scientific experiment, it is difficult for agriculture and makes everyday life stressful. |
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Polar Tempests |
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Exceedingly cold winters and large continental masses drive this planet through cycles of violent weather. This results in heavy wear and tear on infrastructure, and makes farming--and life in general--unpleasant. |
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Poor Soil |
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Though not lacking in dirt, the planet is surprisingly low in the nutrients and microbes that turn it into a rich compound that stimulates organic life. As a result, agricultural prospects are worse than usual. |
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Strong Magnetic Field |
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A large, liquid ferrous core gives this planet strong magnetic fields that fluctuate unpredictably. In order to counter this, much of the work done by industry and science has to undergo the expense of being carefully controlled and shielded. |
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Low-Quality Foundations |
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The construction of this Crescent was hasty, and as a result, malfunctions are numerous and frequent. |
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Uninhabitable Area |
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Corruption on the materials used to build a section of this Crescent made it completely uninhabitable. Although the impact is relatively minor, this deserted section remains a rather depressing symbol of failure. |
Reduced Anomalies[]
Mixed anomalies and detrimental anomalies can be converted to reduced anomalies. Doing so removes all negative effects.The ability to reduce anomalies is unlocked by researching the Science 3 tech Autonomous Materials (for mixed anomalies) and the Science 5 tech Ontological Rev-Eng (for detrimental anomalies).
| Anomaly | Effects | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Acid Rain |
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Partially by reducing the effects of the fumaroles and partially by hardening the infrastructure, many of the problems caused by this anomaly have been alleviated. |
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Aurora Waves |
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The gleaming, multi-colored auroras that once caused such headaches have been partially tamed by magnetic shielding. Fortunately, their beauty remains even though their negative effects have been reduced. |
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Docile Fauna |
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While the beasts of this planet were first described as "giant", "primal", and "impressive", these days the adjectives would tend to be "controlled", "manageable", and "delicious". |
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Geothermic Activity |
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Applying enormous amounts of energy and grappling with gravitational alterations, the previously uncontrollable geothermic activity of the planet is now somewhat less intense. |
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Acceptable Gravity |
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By the simple and straightforward process of bleeding excess gravitons across hyperdimensions into a parallel universe, the previously extreme gravity of the planet has been somewhat reduced. |
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Irradiated |
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By developing and improving the ozone layer and atmosphere while better insulating construction, a large part of the dangerous effects of this radiation has been removed. |
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Ice-10 |
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A rare form of ice that is caused by water crystallizing under high pressures, Ice-10 is interesting for its thermodynamic properties. A concerted effort by the planet's engineers has led to a lessening of its negative effects. |
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Kessler Syndrome |
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Though it took time, patience, and very large nets, much of the orbital debris that circulated the planet has been removed or dumped planetside for recycling. |
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Long Season |
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While the long orbital ellipse remains a fact of life, the application of terraforming sciences, advanced architecture, and improved agriculture has changed it from a health risk into a quaint tourist adventure. |
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Metallic Waters |
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Almost dirt-free, the hard, gleaming surface of this planet used to make agriculture difficult and potentially poisonous. Recent improvements in soil development, however, have eased the problem. |
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Meteor Strikes |
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For the first time in the history of the universe, the phrase "killer satellites" actually has a practical meaning. Thanks to cheap and robust sources of energy and heavily shielded orbitals, major meteor threats are neutralized high in the atmosphere. |
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Permanent Monsoon |
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Once a very wet and very difficult environment, a concerted effort to partially terraform the planet has lessened the intensity of the winds and storms. |
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Polar Tempests |
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Controlled global warming, advanced thermo-efficient architecture, and really warm parkas have greatly lessened the negative effects of this anomaly. |
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Arable Soil |
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The soil of this planet, once sterile and barren, is now much richer in the organic life necessary for agriculture. |
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Psychoactive Air |
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With an atmosphere that was once saturated by complex chemical compounds, life on this planet was challenging. Application of terraforming technologies, however, has rendered the effects of the air less intense. |
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Seismic Activity |
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By manipulating the magnetic core, stabilizing continental drift, and improving construction techniques, the problems in daily life caused by seismic activity have been notably reduced. |
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Tunneled Crust |
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Though the surface of this planet remains rough, a few engineering projects involving viaducts and tunnels have rendered this problem unimportant. Fortunately, the landscape remains impressive. |
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Strong Magnetic Field |
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Once directed non-baryonic magnetic flux technology was reduced to handheld size, the negative impacts of this anomaly were greatly reduced. |
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Flickering Matter |
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The matter still tends to flicker, but it is now possible to predict these changes rather accurately. No more spontaneous disappearance of ships from construction hangars. |
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Pseudo-Atmosphere |
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All it took was encouraging the study of the luminous phenomena of this pseudo-atmosphere for the inhabitants of this Crescent to regain their interest in science. |
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Low-Quality Foundations |
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After long and tedious efforts, every defect in the Crescent has been fixed. These all too frequent malfunctions are now just a bad memory. |
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Uninhabitable Area |
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The uninhabitable section of the Crescent has finally been reworked, everything is back to normal. If the Crescents were something normal in the first place. |
Ruin Anomalies[]
Ruins are caused by catastrophic historical events that happen on systems. Destroying pirate lairs, assimilating/invading minor factions, and large battles are all events that could generate a ruin. Ruins require the Supremacy DLC. These anomalies can be positive, or mixed, but any negative effects can not be reduced.
| Anomaly | Effects | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Pre-galactic Architecture |
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A minor civilization that resisted assimilation was conquered here, and signs of the battles remain. |
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Small Debris Field |
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Twisted metal remains and scorched plastics drift here, a reminder of a previous skirmish. |
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Medium Debris Field |
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The site of an engagement between enemy fleets, there are noticeable chunks of debris floating in the system's space. |
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Large Debris Field |
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The site of a major engagement between warring empires, the space surrounding this system is filled with debris of all types and sizes. |
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Gutted Pirate Hideout |
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A small band of pirates once held this place, but they were driven out and only some debris remains. |
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Gutted Pirate Lair |
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There was once a pirate hideout here, but only ruins and debris remain. |
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Gutted Pirate Stronghold |
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A thriving pirate colony was laid to waste here, resulting in massive devastation and debris. |
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Trenches |
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A minor engagement occurred here, but the evidence of battle is already disappearing. |
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Devastation |
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A ground battle took place here, and the planet is only slowly recovering. |
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Apocalyptic Landscape |
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An enormous ground battle occurred here, and the planet will forever show the horrific scars. |