Overview
Each planet (apart from those in home systems) has a 60% chance of having an anomaly. Anomalies grants bonuses and/or penalties to the planet. Negative anomaly effects can be removed with the appropriate technology and some Industry cost.
Effects
"Total value" is computed as the sum of FIDS, plus 1 per 
and 10 
. This is intended to give a rough basis for comparison, though of course utility in practice can vary.
Anomaly Types:
- Advantageous Anomalies - all positive effects
- Debatable Anomalies - Simple; some positive, some negitive effects
- Disadvantageous Anomalies - Extreme; all negative effects
| Anomaly | |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Total value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden of Eden | +1 | +20 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +8 |
| Ancient Artifacts | +3 | +2 | +5 | ||||
| Dust Ruins | +20 | +3 | +5 | ||||
| Dust Lode | +3 | +3 | |||||
| Ancient Ruins | +2 | +3 | +5 | ||||
| Strange Fossils | +2 | +2 | +4 | ||||
| Antonov Rings | +2 | +1 | +3 | ||||
| Molten Springs | +1 | +2 | +3 | ||||
| Huygen Rings | +1 | +2 | +3 | ||||
| Hollow Planet | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | |||
| Aurora Waves | +20 | +1 | -2 | +1 | |||
| Seismic Activity | -10 | -1 | +1 | -1 | |||
| Kessler Syndrome | -1 | -1 | -2 | -4 | |||
| Shattered Crust | +2 | -1 | +1 | ||||
| Long Season | -1 | -1 | -2 | ||||
| Mineral Poor | -10 | -1 | -1 | -4 | |||
| EM Radiation | -10 | -1 | -2 | -4 | |||
| Corrosive Soil | -10 | -1 | -1 | -3 | |||
| Ice 10 | -10 | +3 | +2 | ||||
| Cyber Flora | +20 | +2 | +4 | ||||
| Hadopelagic Life | +1 | +2 | +3 | ||||
| Molten Core | +2 | +2 | |||||
| Permanent Monsoon | -10 | +2 | +1 | +2 | |||
| Mutated Flora | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | |||
| Deserted Cities | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | |||
| Psychoactive Air | +10 | -1 | 0 | ||||
| Meteor Strikes | -10 | +1 | -1 | -1 | |||
| Irradiated | -20 | -1 | -1 | -4 | |||
| Geothermic Activity | +2 | -1 | +1 | ||||
| Poor Soil | -10 | -1 | -1 | -3 | |||
| Strong Magnetic Field | -10 | -1 | -1 | -3 | |||
| Coral Reefs | +20 | +2 | +4 | ||||
| Friendly Locals | +1 | +20 | +1 | +4 | |||
| Microfactories | +20 | +1 | +3 | ||||
| Low Gravity | +1 | +10 | +1 | +3 | |||
| Rich Atmosphere | +10 | +1 | +2 | ||||
| Metallic Water | +10 | +1 | +2 | ||||
| Hostile Fauna | -10 | -1 | |||||
| Swamp World | -10 | +1 | -1 | -1 | |||
| High Gravity | -1 | -10 | -2 | ||||
| Toxic | -20 | -2 | -4 | ||||
| Acid Rain | -20 | -2 | -4 | ||||
| Rich Soil | +3 | +3 | |||||
| Mineral Rich | +3 | +3 | |||||
| Komatiite Volcano | +2 | +2 | |||||
| Propitious Seasons | +2 | +2 | |||||
| Robot Locals | +2 | +2 | |||||
| Metallic Ground | -2 | +2 | 0 | ||||
| Dense Atmosphere | +1 | +1 | |||||
| Frozen | -1 | -1 | -2 | ||||
| Polar Tempests |
Anomaly Reduction
Simple
Adaptive Colonies (tier 4) on the Exploration & Expansion Technology Tree unlocks "Simple Anomaly Reduction" which removes negative effects from anomalies that have both positive and negative effects. The positive effects are either unaffected or improved. The anomalies that can be altered are:
- Ice 10: +10
- Shattered Crust: +1 , +1
- Permanent Monsoon: +10
- Aurora Waves: +2
- Metallic Ground: +2
- Psychoactive Air: +10 , +1
- Geothermic Activity: +1
- Hostile Fauna: +10 , +1
- Swamp World: +10 , +1
- Seismic Activity: +10 , +1
- Long Season: +1 , +1
- Meteor Strikes: +10 , +1
Extreme
Soil Revivification (tier 7) on the Exploration & Expansion Technology Tree unlocks "Extreme Anomaly Reduction" which neutralizes anomalies with only negative effects. The anomalies that can be altered are:
- High Gravity
- Poor Soil
- Polar Tempests
- Corrosive Soil
- Strong Magnetic Field
- Mineral Poor
- Kessler Syndrome
- Toxic
- Acid Rain
- EM Radiation
- Irradiated
Traits
Positive
- Terraformed Planet selects a random anomaly from the following list: Friendly Locals, Strange Fossils, Antonov Rings, Low Gravity, Rich Atmosphere, Komatiite Volcano, Metallic Waters.
Negative
- Unlucky Colonists selects a random anomaly from the following list: Hostile Fauna, Swamp World, Seismic Activity, Long Season, Meteor Strikes, High Gravity.
Descriptions
Advantageous Anomalies
Garden of Eden
"Lush and pleasant, with a single year-round season of pleasantly moderate temperatures, life is good on this planet. Everyone benefits from its natural wealth: Residents, tourists, businessmen, and scientists."
Ancient Ruins
"Search teams discover ruins of one of the many ancient civilizations that have risen and fallen since the birth of the universe. Trade, tourism, and research could potentially benefit from this rare find."
Ancient Artifacts
"Away teams, wearing red shirts to be easily found in the event of death, discovered numerous OOPArts -- Out Of Place Artifacts. Their origin and the identity of their makers is not known, but they will certainly be of value to researchers and of interest to tourists. "
Dust Ruins
"Many ruins from the time of the Endless were Dust-enhanced structures or traditional buildings that preceded the Dust era. On very rare occasions, however, one can find entire structures built uniquely from this valuable resource."
Coral Reefs
"Picturesque, rich, and fascinating, these lush reefs beautify the planet, provide sources of food, and are of interest to tourists (once they have been declared either non-lethal or only partially lethal)."
Cyber Flora
"A hybrid species that grew from Dust-infected lichen, this nearly indestructible plant can be found thriving even in the harshest conditions. Its beautiful, glossy sheen and interesting bio-technical properties create both a stunning environment and a source of scientific knowledge."
Friendly Locals
"Some planets have inhabitants who show a basic level of civilization. They can be classified in one of two ways: those who view you as friends, and those who view you as dinner. Fortunately, this is the former case. In fact, they are likely to be very helpful in adapting food supplies and aiding colonists who are settling in."
Strange Fossils
"What strange beasts were these! Science Officers have discovered the remains of long-dead creatures that appear exceptional in every way -- size, variety, eating habits, and number of limbs. Anthropologists and cosmologists are eager to study these finds."
Rich Soil
"The soil of this planet is rich in bacteria and nutrients; crops will grow well and livestock will be healthy."
Mineral Rich
"Due to its formation from dust clouds that spun off from the system's sun, the crust of this planet is unusually rich in minerals."
Dust Lode
"Once a base or battleground of the Endless civilization, their nanotechnological 'Dust' is omnipresent in the ground and atmosphere."
Hadopelagic Life
"Having deep oceans that are rich with life, this planet is abundant in hadopelagic creatures -- those that have adapted to the lightless environment at the bottom of the ocean and are tolerant of the tremendous pressures. They are not only a source of food, but provide useful scientific information on extremophilic life forms."
Microfactories
"Another innovation of the Endless, some Visited planets were sown with these Dust-built millimeter-scale factories that convert mineral solids into nutrient chains for crops. Adaptable or 'trainable' to a wide range of ecosystems, they are an enormous boon to food production and agricultural labor."
Antonov Rings
"Dense rings of beige and brown asteroids with erratic orbits, the planetary rings are fascinating for tourists and equally interesting for scientific studies."
Huygens Rings
"A rich, multi-colored band of asteroids surrounds this planet. Reflecting the star's light in green, gray, purple, white, and blue, they are a highly prized tourist destination as well as a ready source of minerals and alloys."
Hollow Planet
"About as anomalous as an anomaly can be, this planet has vast subterranean spaces that run hundreds of kilometers. Fascinating to tourists and scientists, it adds a great deal of habitable space that is highly defensible."
Mutated Flora
"An example of biodiversity gone berserk, this planet shows a variety of plant mutations of every size, shape, color, scent, flavor, and psychoactive effect that one could imagine. Some of the more notable results include rich food supplies, excited botanists, and highly profitable pharmaceutical companies."
Low Gravity
"A lower density of planetary core effects many things, of which gravity is the most notable. This has advantages for industrial production and makes kids really, really happy."
Deserted Cities
"An eerie reminder of yet another lost civilization, deserted cities are scattered across the surface of this planet. Even stranger, many of the buildings and machines are still in working order. If a planet had been conceived to make scientists and engineers happy, it is this one."
Molten Springs
"Blessed--or cursed--by volcanic activity close to the surface and a metal-rich crust, geysers of molten metal spew their very dangerous and very valuable contents from numerous points on the planet. Industry and commerce can clearly benefit from this bizarre geology."
Rich Atmosphere
"Rich in oxygen and other useful gases, the atmosphere of this planet is its main advantage. Food will be readily available, and habitats can be built across a wide range of altitudes."
Robot Locals
"Whatever civilization once thrived on this planet, all that remains are the rubble of buildings and a strangely helpful and obedient population of robots. Anthropologists may one day determine how and why they were created, but for now their main value is as a dedicated and uncomplaining workforce."
Komatiite Volcano
"Dude, where's my silica? These volcanoes of ultramafic rock from deep within the planet's mantle are sources of useful metal alloys, and can be cheaply exploited for geothermal energy."
Propitious Seasons
"This is not merely a planet that has the benefit of an axial tilt that produces seasonal variations in weather; the seasons and their associated climates lend themselves well to agriculture."
Molten Core
"Not all planets have a molten core, which provides some distinct advantages such as a natural magnetic field that shields the planet from cosmic rays and plate tectonics which contribute to evolution. For both these reasons, scientists find this type of planet particularly interesting."
Metallic Waters
"Rich in deposits of copper, iron, zinc, and other metals, the lakes and geysers of this planet are stunning to behold. The high metal content of the waters is also a boon to scientific research."
Debatable Anomalies
Ice 10
"A rare form of ice that is caused by water crystallizing under high pressures, Ice 10 is interesting for its thermodynamic properties. Its extremely low temperatures, however, mean that the planet has a dangerous and hostile environment."
Shattered Crust
"The surface of this planet is a riot of cliffs, chasms, ridges, and spikes. While the broken surface means that many mineral resources can be easily mined, it also means that transport and construction will be challenging."
Permanent Monsoon
"The good news: This is a water-rich planet and therefore of great value to agriculture. The bad news: This water is generally delivered horizontally in your face by gale-force winds. Tides and winds, fortunately, also provide ready sources of (wet) energy."
Aurora Waves
"Gleaming, multi-colored auroras last all day and night, moving eerily across the surface of the planet. Though their properties are greatly appreciated by residents and tourists, the electromagnetic residue is a headache for scientists."
Metallic Ground
"Almost dirt-free, the hard, gleaming surface of this planet makes agriculture difficult and potentially poisonous. The ease with which rare metals can be recovered, however, is a great advantage. "
Dense Atmosphere
"Lava planets in particular, due to the continual combustion and high temperature of their crust, have atmospheres that are dense in organic compounds. Though it renders them a challenge to colonize, this anomaly also helps to increase the agricultural output."
Psychoactive Air
"With an atmosphere saturated by complex chemical compounds, life on this planet becomes interesting indeed if one does not breathe through a filter. Though the inevitable wandering thoughts make serious scientific research a bit difficult, it cannot be denied that everyone who lives here is really, really happy."
Geothermic Activity
"With lava rifts that pulse constantly and vast networks of minor volcanoes, two things are very clear about this planet: 1. Industry can be powered cheaply and efficiently; and 2. Inhabitants must watch where they step."
Hostile Fauna
"While the beasts of this planet were first described as "giant," "primal," and "impressive," a more accurate description would have been "clever, silent, and ravenous." Though they are eagerly hunted and in fact are a good food source, few people enjoy living on a planet where the food pyramid is in fact a circle."
Swamp World
"Described by explorers using adjectives like moist, damp, wet, aqueous, soft, lush, and well-hydrated, this planet offers abundant plant and animal life but will certainly be difficult to build upon."
Seismic Activity
"For those who like their rock and roll on a planetary level, this is the ideal home. Be warned, however, that though geo-physicists will adore it, it makes for nervous inhabitants and expensive construction. "
Long Season
"With an unusually long orbital ellipse, the planet has very long seasons and thus is exposed to extreme cold in winter and heat in summer. While this is fascinating for scientific experiment, agriculture is complicated and everyday life is stressful and difficult."
Meteor Strikes
"While frequent and heavy meteor showers deliver precious metals for free, they also make life dangerous and require continual repairs to any exposed object."
Disadvantageous Anomalies
High Gravity
"The unusually dense core of this planet gives it abnormally high gravity for its size. Architecture and industry must be adapted to deal with this. In addition, daily life is tiring and difficult."
Poor Soil
"Though not lacking in dirt, the planet is surprisingly low in the nutrients and microbes that turn it into a rich compound that stimulates organic life. As a result, agricultural prospects are worse than usual."
Frozen
"Exceedingly cold winters and brief but hot summers drive the surface of this planet through a constant cycle of freeing and thawing. This causes heavy wear and tear on infrastructure as well as making farming--and life in general--difficult."
Corrosive Soil
"The content of this planet's soil is acidic and metallic. Not only is it difficult to grow food under these conditions, but the corrosive properties cause trouble for machines and electronics."
Strong Magnetic Field
"A large, liquid ferrous core gives this planet strong magnetic fields that fluctuate unpredictably. In order to counter this, much of the work done by industry and science has to undergo the expense of being carefully controlled and shielded."
Mineral Poor
"Basically a big ball of silica and dirt, the planet's crust is abnormally poor in metals and minerals. Both life and industry struggle to adapt in this situation. "
Kessler Syndrome
"An odd remnant of a past, lost civilization, the upper atmosphere of this planet is full of drifting debris. There is a cost to removing these remnants, and space-based experiments as well as satellites must be either expensively protected or often replaced."
Toxic
"Toxic elements in the atmosphere and the soil make this planet difficult to survive on. It is difficult to grow food except in protected laboratories, and the unpleasantness of daily life weighs on the inhabitants. "
Acid Rain
"Naturally occurring sulfur fumaroles cause highly acidic rain on this planet. This places heavy constraints on architecture and transport as well as creating a disagreeable atmosphere for the locals. "
EM Radiation
"Naturally high levels of Electro-Magnetic Radiation can cause havoc with an electronic or mechanical apparatus. Technology must be either shielded or frequently repaired, making both industry and daily life expensive."
Irradiated
"High levels of cosmic rays coupled with naturally occurring sources such as radon make this planet a dangerous place. There is a high risk of cancer-related diseases, and the radiation levels complicate scientific experimentation."
Polar Tempests