by Eladrin Hi everyone, Today, well review the Origin and Civics of the Cosmic Storms Mechanical Expansion and provide some information about the new Precursors (without spoiling everything!) Cosmic Storms is going to be released on September 10th. Passing it over to @PDX_Ferry and @Gruntsatwork to take over from here.

Storm Chasers

Dont make unnecessary journeys, dont take risks on treacherous roads, and dont swim in the sea! This is PDX_Ferry, braving the winds to deliver you a report on the new "Storm Chasers" Origin. For those who thrive on danger and yearn for the thrill of the unknown, this Origin was designed with you in mind. Start your game as a civilization that has always sought out the extremes. Born on a world ravaged by relentless storms, the Storm Chasers are daredevils and thrill seekers who push themselves to the limits and beyond. Theyve grown strong and daring, turning their chaotic environment into a crucible of innovation and tenacity. But when every storm has been weathered, and every mountain has been climbed, where does an enterprising thrill-seeker turn next? The answer, of course, is the stars.
The screenshot above was taken from the new pre-scripted empire Yatunan Radicals, which starts with the Origin and a couple of storm-related Civics. While not driven to outmatch others in acts of bravery, hive minds, and machine intelligences may also want to test themselves with this Origin. From the very beginning, your empire will be propelled into the thick of the DLCs content, facing down cosmic phenomena that would make even the most seasoned explorers hesitate. Yet, with great risk comes the potential for great reward.

This Origin is designed to quickly get you into the think of the DLC's action. At game start, your Empire is thrown into the Stormfall situation:
With early access to storm manipulation technology and by starting in a system with unique conditions to kickstart a storm, the Storm Chasers have the first opportunity to unleash a storm. From there, the Origin's storyline includes a gauntlet of Challenges, and the chance to summon "the Big One." What's left of your civilization in the aftermath rests entirely in your hands (or tentacles!) So be warned this is not a path for the faint-hearted. The thrills your people have chased for centuries pale in comparison to the cosmic tempests that await you in the void. Will you harness these forces and lead your empire to greatness, or will you burn out in a blaze of glory? The choice, as always, is yours. Do You Know What Happens to a Blorg When Its Hit by Lightning? Hello there xeno-freshmen, could we interest you in Astrometeorology 101? As the first of the three new civics coming in Cosmic Storms, Astrometeorology focuses on the science behind the storms. It grants you a new building, the Astrometeorology Observatory, which in turn gives you Astrometeorologist jobs.

You can build one of those fine institutes per planet and their jobs are similar enough to normal researchers with a slight focus on physics. However, their true potential shows itself only when the Observatory can behold a storm from up close. In addition, the council position further boosts the job output by up to 20%. What, you prefer something more societal? Maybe have a look at our second new civic then.
The spiritualistic mirror to Astrometeorology, Storm Devotion gives you access to the Storm Summoning Theater, with its Storm Dancer jobs.
In addition, those devoted to Storms also bear this mark as a new species trait called Storm Touched, which further boost all pops while inside of a storm. As if that werent enough, the Council Position for Storm Devotion reduces the upkeep of all Storm Buildings.
Storms this, Storms that, is there anything for people whod rather not see the word Storm plastered over all of their buildings? Absolutely, lets talk about Planetscapers. Planetscapers are the complete opposite of Environmentalists. They want every planetary blocker gone, natural accidents have no place in their carefully planned garden utopias.
You yearn to make all these rugged, overgrown planets into something beautiful and pristine. For some, Mastery of Nature is enough, but your need requires something more drastic, something more impressive.
As you expand, every world with natural blockers that you colonize will allow you to quickly unlock more ways to remove those eyesores.

IT IS A CELEBRATION | PAIN | RAGE | GRIEF | FEAR

You get a Precursor and you get a precursor, everyone gets a precursor! We have two new Precursors for you all to experience. The adAkkaria Convention of Benevolence and The Inetian Traders, both steeped in Storm Lore, with several archaeology sites and special projects to progress through as you uncover their secrets, diggin deeper into what sorts of empires would meddle with storms so devastating they are notable on the cosmic scale. So without giving out too many spoilers, from their names at least you know they were benevolent people and peaceful traders with little chance for tragedy.

Next Week

Next week well have the preliminary release notes for the 3.13 Vela update and Cosmic Storms! Its almost here! See you then! Pre-purchase Stellaris: Cosmic Storms alone or with a discount as part of Stellaris: Season 08!