colonization Tech Comparison
Deep Space Colonisation vs Stellar Engineering
Comparing the Deep Space Colonisation (Tier 3) and Stellar Engineering (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 | Deep Space Colonisation | Stellar Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T3 | T4 |
| Research time | 40▼ | 80 |
| metal cost | 80,000▼ | 150,000 |
| crystal cost | 40,000▼ | 75,000 |
| gas cost | 10,000▼ | — |
| antimatter cost | 300▼ | — |
| dark matter cost | — | 2,000▼ |
| Effect | colonize outer ring: true; +50% colony ship range | +2 building slots stellar; colonize rogue stars: true |
▼ marks the lower resource / time cost. Cheaper isn't always better — weigh it against the effect each tech unlocks.
Deep Space Colonisation
Long-range colony ships with self-sufficient life support colonise systems beyond the outer ring.
Unlocks buildings: deep space colony hub
Unlocks ships: colony ship mk3
Requires: colonization 8, propulsion 5
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
Which Should You Research First?
The Deep Space Colonisation is the lower-tier prerequisite step and typically comes first in the colonization branch, opening the path toward Stellar Engineering.