colonization Tech Comparison
Stellar Engineering vs Terraforming Protocols
Comparing the Stellar Engineering (Tier 4) and Terraforming Protocols (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 | Terraforming Protocols |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T4 | T3 |
| Research time | 80 | 20▼ |
| metal cost | 150,000 | 45,000▼ |
| crystal cost | 75,000 | 22,000▼ |
| dark matter cost | 2,000▼ | — |
| gas cost | — | 6,000▼ |
| Effect | +2 building slots stellar; colonize rogue stars: true | colonize hostile worlds: true; +40% terraforming speed |
▼ 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
Terraforming Protocols
Advanced atmospheric processors enable colonization of hostile desert, arctic, and volcanic worlds.
Unlocks buildings: terraforming station
Requires: colonization 7
Which Should You Research First?
The Terraforming Protocols is the lower-tier prerequisite step and typically comes first in the colonization branch, opening the path toward Stellar Engineering.