Planet

Planets and asteroids are found around the strategy map in StarDrive 2. Planets orbit stars in star systems, and the kind of star affects what type of planet is likely to be found. Many planets can be colonized, allowing the player to expand their empire.

Climate
The climate of a planet affects food per population, base maximum population, and which planet traits can be found.

Size and Population
Bigger planets can usually hold more population (if colonizable), but also tend to have higher gravity. Gas Giants do not have a size listed in the game, since even the smallest Gas Giant is massive compared to other planet types.

The racial trait Subterranean adds +2 population per planet before the size multiple. A species that is both Subterranean and Aquatic will receive both bonuses before the multiple, for a base 7 population on Ocean worlds. Planet effects that increase population (such as Massive Caves) and buildings (such as Biospheres) apply after the multiple.

Gravity
Larger planets tend to have higher gravity, while smaller planets tend to have lower gravity. Asteroids always have low gravity. Gas Giants do not have gravity listed, although in real life they have much higher gravity than other planets.

Minerals
The Minerals value represents how many useful minerals and resources can be extracted from the planet. A better minerals value means more production per worker (if the planet is colonized).

Moons
Some planets, particularly large ones, have moons for cosmetic effect. These have no gameplay purpose.

Special traits
Some planets have special traits that have positive or negative effects, such as an underground ocean or ancient androids found on the surface.

See Planet traits.

Strategic resources
Some planets have strategic resources (written in orange underneath the planet name on the strategy map) which give various bonuses that affect your entire empire.

See Strategic resources.