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Stellaris
Stellaris
4.3|Feb 6, 2026
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Stellaris 4.3 "Cetus" Open Beta Updated (2026-02-06) [Checksum 2e59]

4/5 Significant

The Eater of Worlds Covenant receives a massive mechanical rework with a new Doom Intensity system, while Driven Assimilators see a huge job boost to Augmentation Centers.

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Key Changes

  • 1Complete rework of Eater of Worlds Covenant including new Doom Intensity scaling fleet
  • 2Augmentation Centers now provide 400 jobs for Driven Assimilators
  • 3Eater of Worlds fleet now consumes the assigned Admiral upon dismissal
  • 4Augmentor jobs changed from pop growth multiplier to flat bonus
  • 5Synthetic Fertility origin now starts with Powered Exoskeletons
  • 6Fixed Refugee Attraction system which was previously non-functional
  • 7Linux support improved, removing the need for previous workarounds
  • 8Increased max damage scaling for weapons targeting large ship sizes
  • 9Councilor skill impact on Agenda speed has been reduced
  • 10Loyalty Circuits replaced by Compliance Filters for auto-modding

All Changes

🔮Covenants & Shroud(13)

  • changeEater of Worlds: Significantly changed the Eater of Worlds Covenant Powers and Auras.
  • changeEater of Worlds: The Doom power for the Eater of Worlds no longer immediately starts a war.
  • nerfEater of Worlds: Aura Intensification no longer summons ships from nothing.
  • newEater of Worlds: Aura Intensification now increments Doom Intensity.
  • newEater of Worlds: The Doom power now manifests the Doom of the Eater fleet.
  • newEater of Worlds: Doom of the Eater fleet contains only Teeth (escorts) between 3 and 6 Intensity.
  • newEater of Worlds: Doom of the Eater fleet contains Teeth (escorts) and Fangs (cruisers) between 6 and 12 Intensity.
  • newEater of Worlds: Doom of the Eater fleet contains Teeth, Fangs, and Tusks (Battleships) at 12 or higher Intensity.
  • changeEater of Worlds: Doom Intensity is now capped at 50.
  • changeEater of Worlds: The number of ships in the manifested fleet now depends on Doom Intensity.
  • changeEater of Worlds: Manifesting a new fleet will instantly dismiss any current fleet.
  • nerfEater of Worlds: The Eater of Worlds will consume any Admiral left in charge of the fleet when it is dismissed.
  • changeEater of Worlds: The fleet appears in orbit of a planet with a Sanctum of the Eater or the capital.

🏛️Empire & Traits(6)

  • buffDriven Assimilators: Augmentation Centers now provide 400 jobs for Driven Assimilators.
  • changeAugmentor: Augmentor jobs for regular empires now provide flat bonus pop growth instead of a multiplier.
  • buffSynthetic Fertility: Synthetic Fertility empires now start with the Powered Exoskeletons technology.
  • changeCompliance Filters: Loyalty Circuits has been replaced by Compliance Filters as an auto-modding trait.
  • newAugmentation Bazaars: Augmentation Bazaars can now pick Compliance Filters at game start.
  • changeImperious Architecture: Changed the scaling of Imperious Architecture.

⚔️Combat & Weapons(1)

  • buffWeapons: Increased the maximum damage scaling for weapons that increase damage based on target ship size.

⚙️Gameplay Systems(3)

  • nerfCouncilor: Reduced the effect that Councilor skill levels has on Agenda speed.
  • fixRefugee Attraction: Fixed Refugee Attraction not working at all.
  • fixFire Oracles: Fire Oracles now only appear if the main species of an empire has habitability.

💻Technical & UI(4)

  • fixLinux: Linux version no longer requires previous workarounds to function.
  • fixCloud Save: The cross-platform Cloud Save system now works as expected.
  • fixCybernetics: Tidied up tooltips related to Cybernetics.
  • fixDeep Space Citadel: Removed flickering from the buildable area for Deep Space Citadel.

Summary

Covenant & Gameplay Overhauls

The latest Cetus Open Beta update focuses heavily on the Shroud, specifically the Eater of Worlds Covenant. The 'Doom' power has been redesigned to manifest a scaling fleet based on 'Doom Intensity' (capped at 50) rather than immediately triggering wars. This fleet evolves from escorts to battleships as intensity grows, though players are warned that dismissing the fleet currently consumes the assigned Admiral.

Economic & Empire Balance

Driven Assimilators receive a massive buff with Augmentation Centers now providing 400 jobs. For regular empires, Augmentor jobs have been pivoted from a pop growth multiplier to a flat bonus. Additionally, the Synthetic Fertility origin now benefits from a head start with Powered Exoskeletons technology.

Technical & Bug Fixes

Linux players no longer require previous workarounds to run the game. Critical fixes have been applied to Refugee Attraction (which was previously non-functional) and cross-platform cloud saves.

← OlderStellaris Dev Diary #410 - 4.3 Performance ComparisonsFeb 5, 2026Newer →Stellaris 4.3 "Cetus" Open Beta Updated (2026-02-12)Feb 12, 2026

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