Stellaris 4.5 beta rebuilds starbase weapon modules

Stellaris 4.5 Cygnus Open Beta Update 5 changes how Starbases, Orbital Rings and Waystations choose weapons. Modules are now tied to specific weapon types, gated by the relevant technology and set to upgrade automatically.

Stellaris 4.5: confirmed details

The preferred-weapon policy expands to Explosive and Strike Craft categories, and automated stations follow that policy when fitting defenses. The beta also adds centered flag emblems and extends several Shroud patron benefits to Nomad empires.

What changes for players

Specific module types make a station plan more legible than a generic slot that resolves unpredictably. Policy-driven automation can reduce repetitive refitting across a large empire, though players still need the technology required for the chosen category.

Timing and wider context

Build bc43 is an open beta, not the final 4.5 release. Saves, mods and balance can behave differently from the stable branch, so testing should use backups and the published opt-in instructions.

The feature list and timing above reflect the developer’s announcement published on August 13, 2026. Future hotfixes can adjust balance or availability, so live values should be checked against the current client.

For Stellaris, the practical checkpoint is the live client: confirm the installed version, platform notes and regional rollout before relying on a scheduled feature. Store availability, maintenance windows and certification can create timing differences even when the developer announces one date for the wider release.

Source: official announcement. All release dates, named features and numerical values in this report come from that primary source; the analysis is our own.

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