Stellaris is a galactic sandbox, allowing players to create planet-spanning cities, form covenants with inter-dimensional beings, and turn hostile Empires into loyal Subjects as an imperial Overlord. Running a successful Empire of vassals and protectorates in Stellaris isn't easy however, and players will need to work hard to keep their Subjects from rebelling against their rule.

Each Subject gains a special opinion toward their Overlord called Loyalty, which ranges from -100 to 100 and measures their acceptance of their subjugation. Overlord Empires must manage each Subject carefully, keeping Loyalty high while still negotiating an Agreement that benefits them either economically or militarily. Allowing Loyalty to get too low can lead to a Subject approaching rival Empires with a secret alliance, or even rebelling and attempting to reclaim their independence.

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How to Increase Subject Loyalty in Stellaris

Stellaris Subject Loyalty Screen

There are many factors that affect a Subject's Loyalty, but the three most important are the Subject's Opinion, Ethics and the terms of their Agreement. The Subject's Opinion may be very low immediately after their vassalization, particularly if they were invaded and conquered, or have a long-standing enmity with their new Overlord. Similarly, if a Subject's Ethics clash with their Overlord's then both their Opinion and their base Loyalty will be negatively affected. Raising a Subject's Opinion is identical to raising the Opinion of any other Empire in Stellaris, and can be achieved through assigning Envoys to Improve Relations, giving gifts of resources, or favoring the Subject in events.

Modifying a Subject's Agreement is the second-easiest way to raise Loyalty in Stellaris, though it does come with a cost to the Overlord in both concessions and the vital Influence resource. Every 10 years, players will be able to pay a cost in Influence, and potentially in Loyalty, in order to modify their Agreement with their Subject. This Agreement covers everything from which Empire joins the other in defensive or offensive wars, whether the Subject pays tribute or receives subsidies, or whether the Overlord has the right to absorb the Subject into their Empire.

Making the Agreement more beneficial to the Overlord will cost Loyalty instantly, as well as impose a monthly penalty to the Subject's Loyalty. Conversely, altering the Agreement to the benefit of the Subject will immediately boost Loyalty and raise the monthly Loyalty income. While Overlords won't want to make too many concessions to their Subjects, altering the Agreement can sometimes be the only way to preserve the Loyalty of a vassal with hostile Stellaris Civics, opposing Ethics, or a low Opinion.

Loyalty Tips in Stellaris

Stellaris Overlords and Subjects

As well as raising Opinion, sharing Ethics, and altering the Agreement, there are a few other methods that players can use to either raise Loyalty or reduce penalties to Loyalty. All of an Overlord's Subjects get -1 Loyalty for each other Subject they have, but this penalty can be completely negated with either the Feudal Society Civic, the Franchising Civic for MegaCorps, or the Shared Destiny Ascension Perk. Players who are planning to build a large Empire with multiple Vassals need to make sure they've picked up one of these buffs, as the Loyalty penalties can quickly make ruling impossible.

Alternatively, an Overlord can purchase a Pledge of Loyalty from their Subjects in the Stellaris trade screen. This functions as a +1.5 Loyalty buff for the duration of the trade, and can be helpful to recover falling Loyalty at the cost of resources. If the Subject's Opinion of their Overlord is at least 150, the Pledge of Loyalty will instead add +2.5, allowing an Overlord to max Loyalty even with an oppressive Subject Agreement.

Stellaris is currently available on PC, macOS, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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