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DataCygnus 4.5.24.6 “Corona Borealis” + WillpowerNov 23, 2026Tech tree 4.5.2 →

Best for research in Stellaris 4.5.2

The biggest research bonuses in Stellaris 4.5.2, from every civic, origin, ethic, species trait, ascension perk, tradition and technology in the files: Cranial Megatrophy (trait, +25%), Cetana's Thought (tier 5 physics tech, +20%), Cranial Hypertrophy (trait, +15%). All research speed % + researcher output % (researcher workforce, researcher jobs) + (physics, society and engineering speed %, and physicist, biologist and engineer workforce %) ÷ 3. One-category bonuses are listed, not added.

Every research bonus, ranked

  1. 1Cranial MegatrophyTrait · 4 pt · +25% Researcher Workforce+25%
  2. 2Cetana's ThoughtTier 5 physics tech · +20% All Technology Research Speed+20%
  3. 3Cranial HypertrophyTrait · 2 pt · +15% Researcher Workforce+15%
  4. 4Discovery: finisherTradition · Discovery · +10% All Technology Research Speed+10%
  5. 4Fanatic MaterialistEthic · 2 pt · +10% All Technology Research Speed+10%
  6. 4IntelligentTrait · 2 pt · +10% Researcher Workforce+10%
  7. 4Logic EnginesTrait · 2 pt · +10% Researcher Workforce+10%
  8. 4Logic EnginesTrait · 1 pt · +10% Researcher Workforce+10%
  9. 9ChromalogsTrait · 4 pt · +20% Physicist Workforce+6.7%
  10. 9IntrospectiveCivic · Machine Intelligences · +20% Research Speed ( Engineering)+6.7%
  11. 11Administrative AITier 1 physics tech · +5% All Technology Research Speed+5%
  12. 11Bionic EngineersTrait · 1 pt · +15% Engineer Workforce+5%
  13. 11Engineering CoreTrait · 1 pt · +15% Engineer Workforce+5%
  14. 11Hyperspace CalculationsCivic · Machine Intelligences · +15% Research Speed ( Physics)+5%
  15. 11Hyperspace SpecialtyCivic · Regular empires · +15% Research Speed ( Physics)+5%
  16. 11Hyperspace SynchronicityCivic · Hive Minds · +15% Research Speed ( Physics)+5%
  17. 11Hyperspace TradeCivic · Megacorporations · +15% Research Speed ( Physics)+5%
  18. 11MaterialistEthic · 1 pt · +5% All Technology Research Speed+5%
  19. 11Natural EngineersTrait · 1 pt · +15% Engineer Workforce+5%
  20. 11Natural PhysicistsTrait · 1 pt · +15% Physicist Workforce+5%
  21. 11Natural SociologistsTrait · 1 pt · +15% Biologist Workforce+5%
  22. 11New NumbersTier 2 physics tech · +5% All Technology Research Speed+5%
  23. 11Physics CoreTrait · 1 pt · +15% Physicist Workforce+5%
  24. 11Positronic AITier 4 physics tech · +5% All Technology Research Speed+5%
  25. 11Positronic ImplantsTier 4 physics tech · +5% All Technology Research Speed+5%
  26. 11Sociology CoreTrait · 1 pt · +15% Biologist Workforce+5%
  27. 27CamouflageTrait · 1 pt · +10% Physicist Workforce+3.3%
  28. 28Combat-SyncedTrait · 1 pt · +7% Engineer Workforce+2.3%
  29. 29Research AssistantsTrait · 0 pt · +2% Researcher Workforce+2%

How it's counted: All research speed % + researcher output % (researcher workforce, researcher jobs) + (physics, society and engineering speed %, and physicist, biologist and engineer workforce %) ÷ 3. One-category bonuses are listed, not added.

By kind

Best civics for researchBest origins for researchBest ethics for researchBest species traits for researchBest ascension perks for researchBest traditions for researchBest technologies for research

Research: questions

What gives the most research in Stellaris 4.5.2?

By the game's own numbers: Cranial Megatrophy (trait, +25%); Cetana's Thought (tier 5 physics tech, +20%); Cranial Hypertrophy (trait, +15%). All research speed % + researcher output % (researcher workforce, researcher jobs) + (physics, society and engineering speed %, and physicist, biologist and engineer workforce %) ÷ 3. One-category bonuses are listed, not added.

Are these tier lists?

No. They add up the game's own modifier values for the goal — what each thing gives, not how good it feels to play. Conditional effects and one-off events are not counted.

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