This Stellaris Espionage Guide is everything you need to know about the new Espionage system in Stellaris 3.0’s “Dick” update!
Encryption is a new mechanic in update 3.0. A high Encryption level will prevent other empires from getting Intel on your empire. Likewise, a high Codebreaking level will give you a bonus when conduction espionage operations on other empires.
To increase your base Encryption, you can do any of the following.
Contents
How to Increase Encryption and Codebreaking in Stellaris
Choose the right Ethics and Civics
Cutthroat Politics Civic
This Civic can be used by Democratic, Oligarchic, Dictatorial and Imperial authority Empires. It reduces Edict Cost by 20% and increases Codebreaking by 1
Inward Perfection Civic
Explaining this Civic will have to wait for a complete guide of its own, but you get Encryption +1, Codebreaking -1 and a whole bunch of other stuff.
Brand Loyalty Civic
This Civic is exclusive to Corporate authority Empires. You get +15% monthly Unity and +1 Encryption. Of course, you’d have to commit to this authority and you’d also need the MegaCorp DLC.
Gestalt Consciousness Ethic
The Gestalt Consciousness Ethic increases Encryption by +2. This means your basic Encryption level will be higher than other empires by two points. Of course, there are some disadvantages to playing a Gestalt Consciousness Empire. Mainly the limited diplomacy options.
Pooled Knowledge Civic
The Pooled Knowledge Civic is exclusive to Hive Minds. It increases Leader Level Cap by 1, Leader Experience Gain by 10% and Encryption by 1.
Static Research Analysis Civic
You can pick up this Civic if you’re a machine empire. You’ll get +1 Research Alternative and +1 to Codebreaking.
Unlock Ascension Perks
The following ascension perks can increase your Encryption and Codebreaking.
Unlock the Enigmatic Engineering Ascension Perk
The Enigmatic Engineering Ascension Perk grants +2 Encryption. In addition, enemies’ ‘Steal Technology’ operations will fail and debris from your ships cannot be studied to learn technologies.
Unlock the Transcendence Ascension Perk
The Transcendent Ascension Perk now grants +10 base Intel on all Empires, +2 Encryption and +2 Codebreaking. Of course, you first need to unlock the Mind over Matter ascension perk and one other ascension perk before it can be unlocked.
Research Technologies
You can increase your chances of getting Covert Operation technologies by having a Computing Expert as the research leader for the physics technology branch. If you don’t know which one that is, simply hover over the specialty icon on your leader.
Without further ado, let’s look at a few technologies that can increase your Encryption and Codebreaking.
Research Quantum Hacking Technology
Quantum Hacking is a Physics Tier I technology that increases Codebreaking by 2. Tier I means that it can be researched from the beginning, but it can take a while for it to appear nonetheless. Additionally, Quantum Hacking unlocks an Edict called Bureau of Espionage that gives you one more Envoy, lowers Operation Difficulty by 2 and increases Base Intel Level by 10. If you see this, research it to unlock more Covert Operation technologies.
Research Quantum Firewalls Technology
Quantum Firewalls is another Tier I physics technology, but this one increases Encryption by 2. Just like Quantum Hacking, this one will lead to more Covert Operation type technologies.
Simulated Social Engineering
This is a Tier II physics covert operation technology. It increases Codebreaking by 2.
How to Increase Infiltration Level
Infiltration Level determines what Operations you can perform on the enemy Empire. Operations cost Infiltration Level and the higher your Infiltration Level, the more Operations you’ll be able to perform. Additionally, Infiltration Level increases your maximum Intel
Infiltration Level increases over time, and to increase the limit you can make a pact with the target empire. Here’s how diplomacy pacts impact your max infiltration level and Intel:
| Max Intel/Infiltration Level | Diplomacy Pact |
|---|---|
| 10 | First Contact |
| 20 | Commercial Pact Guarantee Independence Non-Aggression Pact |
| 30 | Migration Treaty Research Agreement Both empires are Galactic Community members |
| 40 | Defensive Pact Both empires are Federation members Hegemony Federation |
| 45 | Galactic Custodian |
| 50 | Martial Alliance Federation Research Cooperative Federation Trade League Federation |
| 60 | Galactic Union Federation |
How to Increase Base Intel Level
Base Intel Level is the initial amount of Intel you have on other empires. Certain technologies can increase this value.
Colonial/Galactic Bureaucracy
Colonial Bureaucracy is a Tier 2 Society Technology and Galactic Bureaucracy is a Tier 3 Society Technology and increases Administrative Capacity by 10 and Base Intel Level by 10. You can increase your chances of getting these technologies by having more than 4 planets and having a Statecraft Expert leader.
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