colonization Tech Comparison
Stellar Engineering vs Megacity Planning
Comparing the Stellar Engineering (Tier 4) and Megacity Planning (Tier 3), both colonization technologies in Starforge MMO. Use this to decide which to queue first when your research lab can only run one project at a time.
Research Comparison
| Attribute | Stellar Engineering | Megacity Planning |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T4 | T3 |
| Research time | 80 | 25▼ |
| metal cost | 150,000 | 50,000▼ |
| crystal cost | 75,000 | 25,000▼ |
| dark matter cost | 2,000▼ | — |
| Effect | +2 building slots stellar; colonize rogue stars: true | +40% max planet population |
▼ marks the lower resource / time cost. Cheaper isn't always better — weigh it against the effect each tech unlocks.
Stellar Engineering
Manipulate stellar physics to stabilise rogue star systems for colonisation. Unlocks 2 additional building slots on any star-adjacent colony.
Unlocks buildings: stellar regulator
Requires: colonization 12, science 5
Megacity Planning
Arcology design and urban stacking increases maximum planetary population capacity by 40%.
Unlocks buildings: arcology district
Requires: colonization 7
Which Should You Research First?
The Megacity Planning is the lower-tier prerequisite step and typically comes first in the colonization branch, opening the path toward Stellar Engineering.