- Video Blog: Eidolon Corvettes and Cruisers - 16 September 2026
Sins of a Solar Empire II: Harbinger introduced the terrifying Eidolon, and now it is time to take a close look at the Cruisers and Corvettes fielded in Eidolon war fleets. Eidolon Ships all generate Corruption as they fight, increasing their damage output as they do, while suffering gradual damage to their own rather low Hull Point pools once maximum Corruption levels are reached. Many have active use abilities that expend Corruption for various effects, and so timely use of these abilities can stave off some of the worst negative effects of Corruption at the expense of temporarily losing some of their combat prowess. Balancing Ship Corruption is a core feature of the Eidolon's tactical combat gameplay.
- Dev Journal: Eidolon Art Design - 10 September 2026
Howdy folks, my name is Paul Kiesling, or if you’re on the discord Lord_set, and I’m the Art Director for this DLC. Today I’m going to walk through the exhaustive process the team and I used to design the Eidolon; and the decisions behind their anatomy and technology. We wanted to create a faction that felt distinctly different from the TEC, Advent, and Vasari. Anatomy and technology are critically important to understanding a faction and making them feel real. We as a team drew inspiration from a number of different science fiction universes as inspiration behind the character and unit designs. Initial DesignThe Eidolon have taken individual psionics to a much further degree than even the Advent. Integrating elements of technology into themselves on a deep physical level. Elements of their heads, chest and arms are infused with an armor made from the same corrupted power channeling mat…
- Publisher Sale: Up to 70% off Sins of a Solar Empire titles - 7 September 2026
Up to 70% off Sins of a Solar Empire titles during the 2026 Publisher SaleView Entire SaleNewly Released:Sins of a Solar Empire II deals:Other Sins of a Solar Empire deals:View Entire Sale
- Hotfix Update Notes for September 4, 2026 - 4 September 2026
Corruption Decay delay value changed to 60 seconds. Corruption Decay value changed to 0.001 (1 Corruption decays every 10 seconds) Azithel Mote Void Missile cooldown increased from 15s to 20s. Azithel Mote Corrupt Recursion Phase Echo duration reduced from 30s to 15s. Eidolon Very Light Void Missile (Azithel Mote, Amalgam Bomber) Armor Points removed, Hull reduced from 5 to 1. Eidolon Void Blast Charge Missile (Sythren Onslaught) Armor Points reduced from 10 to 5, Armor Strength reduced from 25 to 20, Hull reduced from 5 to 1. Eidolon Light Void Missile (Akeniel Geist, Lakhaziel Archon) Armor Points increased from 10 to 15, Armor Strength reduced from 25 to 20, Hull reduced from 5 to 1. Eidolon Medium Void Missile (Thalkerin Revenant, Lakhaziel Archon, Phase Dart Defense Platform, Zhaltharien Anathema) Armor Points increased from 10 to 40, Armor Strength reduced from 25 to 20, Hull redu…
- Sins of a Solar Empire II: Harbinger is Available Now - 3 September 2026
Sins of a Solar Empire II: Harbinger Arrives with the Deadly Eidolon FactionAfter 20 years of intrigue, the great enemy of the Vasari is revealed, ushering in new gameplay mechanics, ships, structures and more.Get the Harbinger Expansion | Get Sins IIThe EidolonFighting for planets, trade routes, culture, or wealth is not the Eidolon way. Working behind the scenes, the Eidolon spread corruption wherever they go. Their technology shrouds entire worlds to fuel their advance, and they strike from the shadows with cloaked fleets, forcing every other empire to fight for survival on unfamiliar terms.Expansion FeaturesThe Eidolon rewrite the rules of galactic conquest with systems built around corruption, secrecy, and control:Planetary Transformation: The Eidolon spread corruption across the galaxy. As populations fall under their influence, planets gain corruption over time. Once a world has…
- Video Dev Journal: Eidolon Frigates | Sins of a Solar Empire II: Harbinger - 29 August 2026
It's time to take a close look at the Frigate class Ships available to the Eidolon, the dark and sinister new fourth faction added in Sins of a Solar Empire II: Harbinger.We'll examine the Nethril Husk Heavy Frigate, the Kaziel Shade Cloak Frigate, Sythren Onslaught Missile Frigate, Ithasaz Invader Colony Frigate and the Azgerin Suppressor Point-Defence Frigate.Eidolon Ships all generate Corruption as they fight, increasing their damage output as they do, while suffering gradual damage to their own rather low Hull Point pools once maximum Corruption levels are reached. Many have active use abilities that expend Corruption for various effects, and so timely use of these abilities can stave off some of the worst negative effects of Corruption at the expense of temporarily losing some of their combat prowess. Balancing Ship Corruption is a core feature of the Eidolon's tactical combat game…
- Release Livestream: Harbinger Expansion for Sins of a Solar Empire II - 27 August 2026
Join us on Sept 3 for a release day livestream on the new expansion for Sins of a Solar Empire II, Harbinger!The team will also dive into the new features brought to the game in the free v2.0 update.📅 Thursday, Sept 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST📍Location: Sins of a Solar Empire II Steam PageWhat to Expect:Planetary Transformation: The Eidolon spread corruption across the galaxy to empower themselves and their worlds. As populations fall under the Eidolon’s influence, their planets gain corruption over time. Once a world has fully fallen, it can be shrouded, greatly expanding the upgrades that planet can support.Unit Corruption: Corruption empowers Eidolon units in combat as well as weakens them. As an Eidolon ship gains corruption, its hull dwindles while its offensive power increases. Enemy forces can become infected by corruption, giving the Eidolon another advantage.Null Weapons: Eidolon…
- Reddit AMA on the Fourth Faction Expansion, Harbinger - 20 August 2026
Join us on August 27th for a Reddit AMA on the upcoming expansion for Sins of a Solar Empire II, HarbingerJoin the SubredditTune into r/SinsofaSolarEmpire for an exclusive Reddit AMA on the new expansion for Sins of a Solar Empire II, Harbinger.📍 r/SinsofaSolarEmpire🗓️ August 27, 2026 - 3:00PM to 4:30PM ET
- Sins of a Solar Empire II: Harbinger Arrives September 3rd, 2026 - 6 August 2026
The Fourth Faction for Sins of a Solar Empire II Releasing September 3rd, 2026After 20 years of intrigue, the great enemy of the Vasari is revealed, ushering in new gameplay mechanics, ships, structures and more. Wishlist the Harbinger ExpansionThe Vasari have spent generations running, and they have warned anyone who would listen about what was behind them. On September 3, 2026, their time runs out and players will finally discover the greatest threat they’ve ever faced: the Eidolon. Fighting for planets, trade routes, culture, or wealth is not the Eidolon way. Working behind the scenes, the Eidolon spread corruption wherever they go. Their technology shroud entire worlds to fuel their advance, and they strike from the shadows with cloaked fleets, forcing every other empire to fight for survival on unfamiliar terms. Key Features:The Eidolon rewrite the rules of galactic conquest with s…
- Change Notes for July 10, 2026 (v1.61.4) - 10 July 2026
A small update today to add a quality-of-life improvement, balance adjustments for missiles and point-defense and other items.Added visual range circles for defense structures during placement.Fixed bug that prevented missiles from retargeting (still requires requisite tech unlock).TECGarda Flak Frigate: increased each turret’s pitch/yaw firing tolerance by 150% to better track enemy missiles/strikecraft. This will greatly improve their ability to engage off-axis missiles such as those fired by the Tempest, as well as improving their ability to target missiles that are very close to the Garda.\ Takadaran Command ShipThe Takadaran is intended to act as a force multiplier for the smaller units fielded by the TEC Enclave in the mid and late game. Increasing the magnitude of both its defensive and offensive support abilities should help it, and by extension fleets of frigates, cruisers and…
- Video Dev Journal: Vasari Balance Adjustment - 24 June 2026
In this video developer journal BATTLEMODE explains the reasoning and method behind the recent balance adjustment to the Vasari, to tone them down a little and bring them back into line with the Advent and TEC.
- Update Notes for June 19, 2026 (v1.61.3) - 19 June 2026
More than a hotfix, but we’re calling it one anyway! NEW - Texture Quality SettingWe’ve added a new setting to Settings → Graphics → Rendering Device to adjust the texture quality of units in the game. Adjust this if you’re on a laptop or on Steam Deck, as those systems use Shared Memory for graphics and will crash if you run out of it. This is the #1 cause of crashes for players on these systems.Custom PortraitsUpdated default custom portrait directory for the legacy AI artwork so users can select pictures from previous versions. Made various custom portrait bug fixes (e.g., garbage elements showing between menus, custom portrait selection not ‘sticking’ between menus/sessions). Updated to allow you to use custom portraits for AI players. Fixed bug where the map generator would incorrectly count planets. Fixed bug that allowed quicksaving in tutorials. Fixed various save game compatibi…
- v1.61 'Prelude' Update Is Live - 11 June 2026
Sins of a Solar Empire II v1.61 is LiveView ChangelogWe've switched gears for our June update. The ARES AI overhaul still needs more time in the oven, so rather than rush it, we're holding it in the opt-in build and shipping a smaller, focused v1.61 in the meantime.This one is about making the AI a sharper opponent. AI players now survey the planets they own based on difficulty, and we've adjusted their bonus modifiers to clear up situations where they used to get stuck (the classic "AI runs out of exotic refineries and stalls" problem). A new AI loadouts system lets them make smarter choices about which abilities and upgrades to pick for their units.The Radiance Battleship also got attention. Its autocasting is a lot less wasteful now. It picks better moments and better targets for its abilities instead of firing into open space.Modders, there's something for you too: new player AI tun…
- Video Blog: Sovereign Echo on Defenses & The Pirate Galleon - 10 June 2026
In this interview, Sins of a Solar Empire II's game designer, Conor "Sovereign Echo" Harris, joins BATTLEMODE to discuss the role of static defensive structures in Sins of a Solar Empire II, and his work to clarify and improve defensive play by adding in new abilities for each. He also shares information on the Pirates and the new Pirate Galleon added to the game a few months back.
- Sins II Behind the Scenes: Pirate Galleon Concepts! - 3 June 2026
Avast ye scurvy dogs! Today I thought we could share pretty pictures of the concepting process for the Galleon, the Pirate’s newest unit featured in Pirate Incursions!Players have been asking to see the beautiful concept art created by resident concept artist Mike Doscher for this plundering beast and now seemed like a great time to share.“We want to introduce a more formidable unit for the pirates, a commander type unit. We're thinking a retrofit Akkan colony ship seems like a fun idea. The TEC colony capital ship is currently the weakest capital ship in the TEC fleet, so flipping that on its head and making a very tough version for the Pirates seems like a fun subversion of expectations.”We knew this ship needed teeth…literally and figuratively! So we combined elements from the first set of options and the form of this retrofit unit took shape!We went back and forth how prominent the…
- Update Note for May 22, 2026 - 22 May 2026
UI tweak to player setup window to add a button that goes to the full faction selection window. Also, updated behavior on clicking the full player faction button to be a quick dropdown selector as an alternate.
- Dev Journal: v1.65 Update Preview - 21 May 2026
Welcome to this Dev Diary! I’m Tom Fortune, one of the engineers on Sins of a Solar Empire II, and I’ll be walking you through the reasoning and motivations behind the upcoming AI overhaul. Let’s get started. Cause & EffectIf you've spent some serious time playing against the Sins II AI, you likely already know the shape of the general complaints we get. The AI doesn’t really like to fight as much as we’d like. It builds a credible early empire and then has issues maintaining it. It spends wildly and in ways that don’t necessarily make sense. You show up to a planet, and structures and items are not built in a way a human would ever do. Fleets get distributed a bit strangely. Exotic factories rarely get built, research wanders instead of compounding. At higher difficulties, the answer to "make it harder" has historically been more resources rather than smarter decisions, which feels les…
- Update Note for May 19, 2026 - 19 May 2026
Fixed crash bug caused by loading a save game from before neutral extractors/labs were invulnerable.
- Update Notes for May 15, 2026 - 15 May 2026
Fixed bug that could cause corvettes near a fleet leader to slowly tumble through space. This was due to the orbiting attack pattern that would cause flip-flopping on physics goals. Fixed issue where allied AI players could end up in an endless tug-of-war trying to capture an object. This alters some of the capture mechanics: Capturable extractors and labs are now invulnerable. In cases where a human and AI ally(ies) are contesting a capture, the player will take precedence. In cases where it’s multiple allied AI players, the first player on the same team takes the capture with allies contributing. Note: We are aware of a bug where some Epic players lose their DLC. This is due to Steam client being open at the same time as the game (even if you don’t own Sins 2 on Steam). You can workaround this bug by closing Steam when you launch the game from Epic. It will be addressed in a new hotfi…
- Hotfix Notes for May 11, 2026 - 11 May 2026
Version 1.60.3 (Hotfix) NotesFixed bug that would cause the game to display multiple languages at the same time, if you changed your language setting repeatedly within the same session. This should also resolve a rare hang bug.Fixed bug that would have some tooltips display “inf” instead of their true value.Fixed bug that would sometimes cause point-defense weapons to overkill missiles.Fixed bug that caused units to ‘teleport’ to off the game map. This was due to a race condition in the physics system. Note that there’s a similar corvette bug that is not yet fixed (will be in next hotfix).Map Generator:Added additional invalid characters to name filter.Prevented leading 0s on seed values.Fixed issue that would snap seed to max value when entering a value larger than allowed.Fixed issues with non-English name display.Added new Phase Jamming icons.Fixed bug that caused particle FX not to…
