OGame Lifeforms: All 4 Types, Buildings and Bonuses Explained

The Four Lifeforms in OGame

In OGame there are four lifeforms: Humans, Rock'tal, Mechas and Kaelesh. Each lifeform possesses its own Lifeform Buildings and Lifeform Research. According to the Wiki, the bonus from Lifeform Research applies to the entire empire, whilst the bonus from Lifeform Buildings only applies to the respective planet.

Humans are the standard species that every player automatically starts with. They are the only species with the "discovery tech", which allows other lifeforms to be located in the galaxy.

Humans: Research and Focus

Humans achieved the capability for long-distance space travel in the mid-21st century thanks to a new hyperdrive technology. They are the most widespread lifeform and have developed into outstanding traders through their friendly relations with other species.

Human research includes, amongst others, Intergalactic Envoys, High-Performance Extractors, Fusion Drives, Stealth Field Generator, Orbital Den, Research AI, High-Performance Terraformer, Enhanced Production Technologies, Light Fighter Mk II, Cruiser Mk II, Improved Lab Technology, Plasma Terraformer, Low-Temperature Drives, Bomber Mk II, Destroyer Mk II, Battlecruiser Mk II, Robot Assistants and Supercomputer.

Rock'tal: Research Overview

According to the Wiki, Rock'tal possess their own series of Lifeform Research, including Volcanic Batteries, Acoustic Scanning, High Energy Pump System, Cargo Hold Expansion, Magma Powered Production, Geothermal Power Plants and Depth Sounding.

Further research includes Ion Crystal Enhancement (Heavy Fighter), Improved Stellarator, Hardened Diamond Drill Heads, Seismic Mining Technology, Magma Powered Pump Systems, Ion Crystal Modules, Optimised Silo Construction Method, Diamond Energy Transmitter, Obsidian Shield Reinforcement, Rune Shields and Rock'tal Collector Enhancement.

Mechas: The "Fleeter" Archetype

Mechas are artificial intelligences that can be reproduced faster through factory production than any other species. Their archetype is the "Fleeter": they specialise in increasing the combat power of ships and fleets, can reduce fuel costs for fleet movements or increase the production speed for ships. Their special tech perk provides a bonus to the "General" class.

Lifeform Buildings of the Mechas

• Assembly Line – Accommodation for T1 Mechas, increases living space and growth rate.
• Fusion Cell Factory – increases storage capacity and food production per second.
• Robotics Research Centre – unlocks the tech tree and reduces research costs and duration.
• Update Network – trains T1 Mechas to T2 Mechas.
• Quantum Computer Centre – trains T2 Mechas to T3 Mechas.
• Automatised Assembly Centre – reduces ship construction time; at level 20 a slot in the Mecha Shipyard is unlocked, thereafter one additional slot every two levels.
• High-Performance Transformer – increases energy production and technology bonus.
• Microchip Assembly Line – increases food production and growth speed of T1/T2/T3 Mechas.
• Production Assembly Hall – increases maximum Mecha count and growth speed.
• High-Performance Synthesiser – increases Deuterium production on the planet.
• Chip Mass Production – increases technology bonus on the planet.
• Nano Repair Bots – increases the number of ships that remain in the debris field after a battle.

Lifeform Research of the Mechas

• Catalyser Technology – increases Deuterium production on all planets.
• Plasma Drive – increases the speed of all ships (except Death Stars).
• Efficiency Module – reduces fuel consumption of all ships (max. 90% reduction).
• Depot AI – reduces costs and construction time of the Alliance Depot.
• General Overhaul for Light Fighter, Cruiser, Battleship, Battlecruiser, Bomber and Destroyer – improves structure points, shield, firepower, cargo capacity and base speed.
• Automated Transport Lines and Artificial Swarm Intelligence – increase production of Metal, Crystal and Deuterium on all planets.
• Improved Drone AI – reduces costs and research time of spy technology.
• Experimental Recycling Technology – improves the values of Recyclers.
• Slingshot Autopilot – allows fuel recovery when recalling fleets.
• High-Temperature Superconductors – reduces costs and research time of energy technology.
• Experimental Weapons Technology – reduces costs and research time of weapons technology.
• Mechan General Enhancement – strengthens the class bonuses of the General.

Kaelesh: The "Explorer" Archetype

Kaelesh are born in time and space between the stars and only inhabit planets after a certain maturity period. Their archetype is the "Explorer"; their special tech perk provides a bonus to the "Discoverer" class. Their technologies increase resource and ship finds from expeditions and accelerate research speed and lifeform research speed.

According to the Wiki, after the Artefact Update, Kaelesh are generally considered weaker than other species for Discoverer players, as they do not possess buildings to increase resource production or tech efficiency and their technologies can be acquired by other species through artefacts.

Lifeform Buildings of the Kaelesh

• Sanctuary – Accommodation for T1 Kaelesh.
• Antimatter Condenser – increases storage capacity and food production.
• Vortex Chamber – unlocks the tech tree and reduces research costs and duration.
• Halls of Realisation – trains T1 to T2 Kaelesh.
• Forum of Transcendence – trains T2 to T3 Kaelesh.
• Antimatter Convector – reduces food consumption on the planet.
• Cloning Laboratory – accelerates growth of T1/T2/T3 Kaelesh and improves all Kaelesh Lifeform Technologies on the planet.
• Chrysalis Accelerator – increases maximum Kaelesh count and growth speed.
• Bio Modifier – increases the number of fields on the planet.
• Psionic Modulator – reduces the requirements for all tech slots on the planet.
• Ship Manufacturing Hall – reduces ship construction time.
• Supra Refractor – increases chance of a moon from moon shots and its size (max. 9400).

Lifeform Research of the Kaelesh

• Heat Recovery – reduces fuel consumption (max. 90% reduction).
• Sulphide Process – increases Deuterium production on all planets.
• Psionic Network – reduces the risk of losing ships on expeditions.
• Telekinetic Tractor Beam – increases ship finds on expeditions.
• Enhanced Sensor Technology and Sixth Sense – increase resource finds on expeditions.
• Neuromodal Compressor – increases cargo capacity of civilian ships.
• Neuro-Interface – accelerates research projects.
• Interplanetary Analysis Network – increases the range of all Phalanx scans.
• Overclocking (Heavy Fighter, Large Cargo, Battleship) – improves structure points, shield, firepower, cargo capacity and speed.
• Telekinetic Drive – increases fleet speed on expeditions.
• Psychoharmoniser – increases production of Metal, Crystal and Deuterium on all planets.
• Efficient Swarm Intelligence – accelerates regular and lifeform research.
• Gravitation Sensors – increases Dark Matter finds on expeditions.
• Psionic Shield Matrix – reduces costs and research time of shield technology.
• Kaelesh Discoverer Enhancement – strengthens the class bonuses of the Discoverer.

Strategy Overview

Mechas are particularly well-suited to players with the "General" class due to their specialisation in combat power, fuel reduction and ship production. Their special building improves the values of the Space Dock and allows more ships to be salvaged from battles.

Kaelesh are oriented towards exploration and fit the "Discoverer" class; their Supra Refractor additionally increases the chance and size of moons. Humans remain as the starting species the only lifeform whose Discovery technology allows other lifeforms to be located.