In Stellaris, domination doesn’t always mean total destruction. Subjugation is a powerful alternative path to galactic control, allowing empires to impose their will on others without completely annihilating them. By creating vassals, protectorates, or tributaries, players can expand influence and power while conserving resources and manpower. Subjugation plays a key role in mid-to-late-game strategy and can turn former enemies into productive, semi-autonomous allies. To use this system effectively, it’s essential to understand the mechanics behind subjugation, diplomatic leverage, war goals, and subject integration.
Understanding Subjugation in Stellaris
What Is Subjugation?
Subjugation refers to the act of forcing another empire to become a subject under your control. In Stellaris, this subject can take various forms, each offering different benefits and degrees of autonomy. The overlord-subject relationship is shaped by diplomacy, war, and policies. Subjugation offers an efficient way to expand territory and influence without direct colonization or annexation.
Why Subjugate Instead of Conquer?
There are multiple strategic advantages to subjugation:
- Lower Influence and Admin Cap Cost Subjugated empires do not count fully toward your administrative cap.
- Ongoing Resource Gains Some subjects pay tribute in minerals, energy, or research.
- Military Support Vassals and subjects can contribute fleets in times of war.
- Diplomatic Control You control the subject’s foreign policy and defensive pacts.
Ways to Subjugate an Empire
Subjugation Through War
The most direct method is declaring war with a subjugation casus belli. To unlock this war goal, you need certain technologies or traditions, such as Domination traditions. When war is declared with the ‘Subjugation’ goal, winning allows you to force the defeated empire into vassalage or tribute agreements.
Diplomatic Subjugation
You can also offer vassalage peacefully. If your empire is significantly stronger both militarily and economically other AI empires may accept a subjugation deal. Increase your acceptance chances by improving relations, offering favors, or using envoys to boost diplomatic standing.
Subjects From Events and Decisions
Some in-game events or interactions with primitives and pre-FTL civilizations can result in subjugation. Enlightening primitives through observation or uplifting certain species can produce protectorates or vassals. These mechanics are useful early in the game and can grow into more powerful subject relationships over time.
Types of Subjects in Stellaris
Vassal
Vassals are controlled subject states with limited autonomy. They often cannot form alliances or declare wars independently. Their resources and fleets can be used by the overlord depending on the terms of the agreement. Vassals can eventually be integrated into your empire after certain diplomatic and technological thresholds are met.
Protectorate
A protectorate is a technologically inferior empire under your protection. They gain research benefits, while you receive influence and loyalty. Once they reach a certain level of tech parity, they can become full vassals.
Tributary
Tributaries remain independent in most aspects but pay regular tribute in energy, minerals, or other resources. They do not count toward your diplomatic capacity, but also cannot be integrated later. Tributaries are ideal for passive empires that want resources without direct control.
Subsidiary and Specialized Subjects
If you’re playing with theOverlordDLC, you gain access to more nuanced subject types like:
- Bulwarks Defensive military allies.
- Scholars Focused on scientific collaboration.
- Prospectors Resource-oriented partners.
Each offers different modifiers and contracts, allowing you to customize your empire’s subjugation style.
Managing Your Subjects
Overlord Holdings
With the right permissions and technology, you can establish special buildings on subject planets. These are called Overlord Holdings and provide bonuses to your empire, such as extra naval capacity, unity, or science. However, building them can reduce the subject’s loyalty if overused.
Subject Loyalty and Integration
Loyalty is a central mechanic in maintaining control over your subjects. Positive loyalty prevents rebellion and allows you to pass more restrictive or beneficial terms. Use favors, good governance, and strategic contracts to boost loyalty. Once loyalty and trust are high enough, you can begin integration to absorb the subject into your empire fully.
Modifying Subject Agreements
After establishing subjugation, you can renegotiate the terms. This may include setting tribute rates, fleet contribution, technology sharing, and construction permissions. Balance what benefits you most without causing disloyalty or rebellion from your subject.
Tips for Effective Subjugation
Pick the Right Targets
Look for weaker empires near your borders that are isolated or not part of strong federations. These targets are easier to overwhelm militarily or intimidate diplomatically.
Use Envoys Effectively
Assign envoys to improve relations with potential subjects or to increase loyalty of existing vassals. A well-placed envoy can tip negotiations in your favor or prevent insurrection.
Stack Diplomatic Influence
Traditions and civics like Diplomatic Corps or Feudal Society can improve your ability to manage multiple subjects. Likewise, the Domination tradition tree offers several bonuses to overlords and helps unlock key subjugation options earlier in the game.
Be Strategic With Integration
While integrating a vassal gives you direct control of their territory and fleets, it also adds to your empire sprawl and administrative burden. Only integrate when you’re prepared for the economic and political cost, or if the vassal’s location is of high strategic value.
Dealing With Rebellious Subjects
Preventing Revolts
Subjects with low loyalty can rebel and try to break away from your control. To prevent this, keep an eye on loyalty indicators, respond to grievances, and avoid overly harsh contract terms unless you’re prepared for war.
Crushing a Rebellion
If a subject does rebel, you can declare war to bring them back into subjugation. Be quick and decisive rebellions may inspire other subjects to follow suit if not handled swiftly. Maintain a strong fleet presence near vassals with low loyalty to respond rapidly to unrest.
Subjugation and Galactic Community
Galactic Sanctions
Depending on the current resolutions and ethics of the Galactic Community, subjugating other empires may lead to diplomatic penalties or sanctions. Be aware of the current galactic laws when planning your expansion through vassalage.
Voting and Influence
Subjects can add to your total diplomatic weight in the Galactic Community if you manage them correctly. The more subjects you control, the more power you hold in galactic affairs, allowing you to push favorable resolutions or block enemies’ proposals.
Subjugation in Stellaris is a nuanced and strategic alternative to conquest. Whether achieved through war, diplomacy, or event chains, bringing other empires under your control as subjects allows for expanded influence without overextension. With careful planning, the right technologies, and a keen diplomatic eye, you can turn rivals into vassals and build a sprawling empire united under your rule. From managing loyalty to crafting specialized subject contracts, mastering subjugation mechanics opens up new avenues to galactic dominance in every Stellaris campaign.