colonization Tech Comparison
Hostile World Adaptation vs Megastructure Foundations
Comparing the Hostile World Adaptation (Tier 3) and Megastructure Foundations (Tier 4), 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 | Hostile World Adaptation | Megastructure Foundations |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T3 | T4 |
| Research time | 30▼ | 72 |
| metal cost | 50,000▼ | 200,000 |
| crystal cost | 25,000▼ | 100,000 |
| gas cost | 8,000▼ | — |
| dark matter cost | — | 3,000▼ |
| Effect | +3 colonize tier | +50% max population cap |
▼ marks the lower resource / time cost. Cheaper isn't always better — weigh it against the effect each tech unlocks.
Hostile World Adaptation
Life support domes allow thriving colonies on toxic and irradiated worlds.
Unlocks buildings: life support dome
Requires: colonization 2
Megastructure Foundations
Engineering principles enabling ring-worlds and ecumenopoleis. Adds +50% max pop cap.
Unlocks buildings: megastructure core
Requires: colonization 3, colonization 5
Which Should You Research First?
The Hostile World Adaptation is the lower-tier prerequisite step and typically comes first in the colonization branch, opening the path toward Megastructure Foundations.