Stellaris: The Ultimate DLC Tier List

There are a ton of Stellaris expansions to choose from, some more necessary than others. So, here's our complete tier list for every Stellaris DLC, with the super-optional buys in the D Tier and the essential packs in the S Tier.

D-Tier Stellaris Expansions:

These are content DLCs and species packs that are optional in the extreme. They are either overpriced for what they offer, are niche in their target audience, or both.

Lithoids Species Pack

This DLC unlocks the ability to create a rock-based lifeform empire, feeding your resilient population with Minerals instead of Food. They can also thrive (albeit with slow reproduction speeds) on just about any planet type. Overall, most players consider this one of the more bland species packs for Stellaris.

Other D-Tier Stellaris DLCs:

• First Contact Story Pack
• Astral Planes

C-Tier Stellaris Expansions:

These Stellaris DLC packs are a cool way to add some flavor to your games, though are usually rather niche in scope. Unless you're playing a game of Stellaris with a mind to deliberately explore one of these DLCs, you might not notice their absence.

Plantoids Species Pack

The Plantoids DLC allows you to play as sentient flora, complete with gorgeous new futuristic greenhouse-like ship designs. On top of this, via the plantoid-specific civics, you'll be able to convert Food into Alloys, make tomb worlds more habitable, and even partially feed your pops with Energy. It's a neat little flavor pack, but certainly isn't 100% necessary to get the most out of Stellaris.

MegaCorp

Allows the construction of a trading mega-planet called a Ecumenopolis. MegaCorp also unlocks access to the Slave Trade, wandering traders, and branch offices which can be built on neighboring planets that belong to a rival empire. That said, many of these new features can be ignored without too much consequence, so, unless you're digging the fantasy of being space-Amazon, this DLC is non-essential.

Other C-Tier Stellaris DLCs:

• Apocalypse
• Necroids Species Pack
• Humanoids Species Pack
• Synthetic Dawn Story Pack

B-Tier Stellaris Expansions:

These DLCs are generally worth their price, especially in a Steam sale, even if some are a little narrow in scope.

Nemesis

This Stellaris expansion offers two key new features: Espionage actions, and the ability to become the final crisis that seeks to destroy the galaxy (or lead a crusade to defend it). It's a thematic and fun expansion, however, the espionage features often lack impact and the 'final crisis' events only take the spotlight in niche endgame scenarios.

Other B-Tier Stellaris DLCs:

• Distant Stars Story Pack
• Aquatics Species Pack
• Overlord

A-Tier Stellaris Expansions:

These DLC packs unlock some key new features and challenges in most games of Stellaris, no matter how you're building your empire. These DLCs are a steal in a sale.

Leviathans Story Pack

Leviathans introduces galactic guardian fleets, single-entity enemies and creatures that can be studied via science ships or conquered through military might. Which path you choose will decide what rewards you reap. This is a solid expansion that impacts just about every game you play no matter your empire's style. It also introduces the looming threat of Fallen Empires starting a War in Heaven, and specialist vendors known as Enclaves.

Other A-Tier Stellaris DLCs:

• Toxoids Species Pack
• Ancient Relics Story Pack

S-Tier Stellaris Expansions:

The S-tier DLC packs for Stellaris will impact every game you play, no matter your empire type. They unlock features that most players agree are key to Stellaris. If you're looking to spend, consider picking up these DLC packs first!

Utopia

The Utopia expansion introduces the core batch of megastructures you can build in Stellaris, such as the Dyson Sphere and ring worlds, as well as orbital habitats which are key for population housing in the mid and late game. You'll also unlock Ascension Perks to further customize your empire as you play. This expansion is considered so key by most Stellaris players that, in truth, it should probably be part of the base game.

Federations

This S-tier DLC introduces the Galactic Community, expands the features offered to federations, and even offers a couple of new megastructures like the Mega Shipyard. All in all, Federations brings diplomacy in Stellaris to a solid spot, whereas it feels lacking in the base game. Unless you're a forever-alone solo player through and through, Federations is really a must-buy in a sale.

Stellaris' Newest DLC: The Machine Age

The Machine Age DLC has launched recently to very positive reviews on Steam, however, we'd rather give the dust some time to settle before placing Stellaris' newest DLC on our list. That said, early signs are extremely promising, and it's likely an A+ tier candidate!

Stellaris: Full DLC Tier List