Physically, not emotionally toxic: Our favorite space strategy game is adding an entire species of Nasty Little Guys

Stellaris' new Toxoids embrace the stinky in September.

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Paradox has announced a new species DLC coming to Stellaris on September 20:the Toxoids. Theteaser trailerfor the new add-on ends with the tagline “The End Justifies the Ruins,” and playing as them looks to give bonuses for high-risk, aggressive play that destroys planetary environments for the sake of industry. Basically, you’re playing as the bad guys from every sci-fi story. Environmentalist parables? Who needs ‘em, we have heavy industry andToxic Baths.

“Empires featuring the Toxoids species can grow and adapt faster than most creatures,” Paradox’sannouncementreads, “but tend to make life unpleasant for their neighbors⁠—and often for themselves.” I can’t help but think of the smog-choked Harkonnen homeworld ofGiedi Primefrom Dune. The species’ full mechanical offerings are as follows:

New Origins

New Civics

New Traits

I’m a sucker for that first origin, Knights of the Toxic God. It sounds like it should be an album by British extreme metal bandSlugdge. I also like the sound of “Species portraits, ship models, and cityscapes that only a mother could love.” We are leaning fully into the Stinky Empire fantasy. Sometimes you just look at the endless expanse of the cosmos and the goody two shoes Federation types exploring it and want to cover it all in industrial runoff.

The Toxoids species pack is available for pre-order now onSteam,GOG, and theMicrosoft Storefor $10, and you will be able to destroy all that is beautiful and good in the universe come September 20.

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Ted has been thinking about PC games and bothering anyone who would listen with his thoughts on them ever since he booted up his sister’s copy of Neverwinter Nights on the family computer. He is obsessed with all things CRPG and CRPG-adjacent, but has also covered esports, modding, and rare game collecting. When he’s not playing or writing about games, you can find Ted lifting weights on his back porch.

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