Ordris
An ancient, extremely advanced civilization with an indecipherable presence — they stand on the side of Order, and test younger species with questions.
Who they are
The Ordris were already here. Nothing more precise can be said, and they will not help you be more precise. Their archives hold astronomical observations from a time when the other species did not yet exist — and asking where those came from is not rude to them, it is simply beside the point.
They stand on the side of Order, which should not be mistaken for benevolence. Order, to them, is not peace but structure: everything has a place, and whatever has none must be dealt with. They test younger species with questions, and the answer is never the one the questioner expects.
On the battlefield this shows up as an order field. They do not disrupt one ship but the WHOLE opposing side: aim degrades, less can be stolen, fewer asteroids and resources go home. The penalty is 5–25%, rolled once per battle and scaled by the weight of their order-field ships: full for a pure order-field fleet, smaller in a mixed one — where planetary defences, escorts and asteroid carriers stand alongside. Going in against the Ordris you know the range in advance, and the exact figure from the battle report. When the Ordris attack, the same hits the defending fleet and the planetary defences.
In research and construction they are unbeatable. Where another spends four rounds on a technology or a building, the Ordris spend three — and the tech tree is long. Playing against them, you do not notice that they are stronger; you notice that they are already somewhere else.
Passive perk
Research speed +15%
Research and building construction both run this much faster — about 13% less time (e.g. 42 rounds instead of 48). You sit further up the tech tree than someone who invested the same — it compounds over a long game.
Pick your own
Signing up is free and runs in the browser — no download. You choose your species on first login.