This is a list of all the technologies in Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. Unlike the Civilization games, technology branches off into different paths, there no absolute way to choose what appears. There are also no eras to advance through.
The tree tree is shown on a poster included with the original game.
Clicking on the name of the technology in the title will direct to a page additional information on the technology in question.
Adaptive Doctrine
- Prerequisite: Polymorphic Software, Doctrine: Flexibility
- Technology: Advanced Military Algorithms
- Armor: Pulse 3 Armor
- Special Ability: Marine Detachment
- Track and Level: Conquer 3
Adaptive Economics
- Prerequisite: Progenitor Psych, Industrial Economics
- Technology: Planetary Economics
- Base Facility: Thermocline Transducer
- Secret Project: The Planetary Energy Grid
- Track and Level: Build 3
Advanced Ecological Engineering
- Prerequisite: Fusion Power, Environmental Economics
- Technology: Centauri Psi
- Terraforming: Soil Enricher
- Diplomatic Proposal: Melt Polar Caps
- Special Ability: Super Former
- Sea Mining Platforms produce +1 Minerals
- Track and Level: Build 7
Advanced Military Algorithms
- Prerequisite: Adaptive Doctrine (alien crossfire) Doctrine: Flexibility (original), Optical Computers
- Technology: Pre-Sentient Algorithms, Retroviral Engineering
- Base Facility: Punishment Sphere
- Socio/economic model: Power
- Terraforming: Bunker
- Diplomatic Proposal: Repeal U.N. Charter, Reinstate U.N. Charter
- Special Ability: AAA Tracking
- Track and Level: Conquer 4
Advanced Spaceflight
- Prerequisite: Orbital Spaceflight, Organic Superlubricant
- Technology: Super Tensile Solids
- Base Facility: Orbital Power Transmitter
- Secret Project: The Living Refinery
- Weapon: Plasma Shard
- Diplomatic Proposal: Launch Solar Shade, Increase Solar Shade
- Track and Level: Discover 8
Advanced Subatomic Theory
- Prerequisite: High Energy Chemistry, Polymorphic Software
- Technology: Applied Relativity, Silksteel Alloys
- Base Facility: Skunkworks
- Special Ability: Comm Jammer
- Track and Level: Discover 3
Applied Gravitonics
- Prerequisite: Graviton Theory, Digital Sentience
- Technology: Controlled Singularity
- Weapon: Graviton Gun
- Track and Level: Explore 14
Applied Physics
- Technology: Nonlinear Mathematics, High Energy Chemistry, Optical Computers
- Weapon: Laser
- Track and Level: Conquer 1
Applied Relativity
- Prerequisite: Superconductor, Advanced Subatomic Theory
- Technology: Unified Field Theory, Photon/Wave Mechanics
- Secret Project: The Supercollider
- Track and Level: Discover 5
Bio-Engineering
- Prerequisite: Gene Splicing, Neural Grafting
- Technology: Retroviral Engineering
- Secret Project: The Longevity Vaccine
- Special Ability: Clean Reactor
- Increases defense against gene warfare.
- Track and Level: Build 5
Bioadaptive Resonance
- Prerequisite: Field Modulation, Centauri Empathy
- Technology: Sentient Resonance
- Unit: Spore Launcher
- Weapon: Resonance Laser
- Special Ability: Soporific Gas Pods
- Track and Level: Conquer 4
Biogenetics
- Technology: Secrets of the Human Brain, Gene Splicing
- Base Facility: Recycling Tanks
- Secret Project: The Human Genome Project
- Increases defense against gene warfare.
- Track and Level: Discover 1
Biomachinery
- Prerequisite: Mind/Machine Interface, Retroviral Engineering
- Technology: Homo Superior, N-Space Compression
- Secret Project: The Cloning Vats
- Increases defense against gene warfare.
- Track and Level: Build 7
Centauri Ecology
- Technology: Centauri Empathy, Ecological Engineering, Field Modulation
- Secret Project: The Weather Paradigm
- Unit: Formers
- Weapon: Terraforming Unit
- Increases Nutrient production in fungus.
- Track and Level: Explore 1
Centauri Empathy
- Prerequisite: Secrets of the Human Brain, Centauri Ecology
- Technology: Centauri Meditation, Bioadaptive Resonance
- Base Facility: Biology Lab
- Secret Project: The Empath Guild
- Socio/economic model: Green
- Unit: Mind Worms
- Special Ability: Empath Song
- Allows roads to be built in fungus squares.
- Track and Level: Explore 3
Centauri Genetics
- Prerequisite: Centauri Meditation, Retroviral Engineering
- Technology: Centauri Psi
- Base Facility: Brood Pit
- Secret Project: The Pholus Mutagen
- Unit: Locusts of Chiron
- Increases Mineral production in fungus.
- Track and Level: Explore 7
Centauri Meditation
- Prerequisite: Ecological Engineering, Centauri Empathy
- Technology: Centauri Genetics
- Base Facility: Centauri Preserve
- Secret Project: The Xenoempathy Dome
- Citizens: Empath
- Unit: Isle of the Deep
- Increases Energy production in fungus.
- Track and Level: Explore 5
Centauri Psi
- Prerequisite: Centauri Genetics, Advanced Ecological Engineering
- Technology: The Will to Power, Secrets of Alpha Centauri, Sentient Resonance
- Unit: Sealurk
- Weapon: Psi Attack
- Special Ability: Dissociative Wave
- Increases Nutrient production in fungus.
- Allows terrain improvements in fungus squares and eases fungus movement restrictions.
- Track and Level: Explore 8
Controlled Singularity
- Prerequisite: Singularity Mechanics, Applied Gravitonics
- Technology: String Resonance, Transcendent Thought
- Secret Project: The Singularity Inductor
- Weapon: Singularity Laser
- Track and Level: Conquer 15
Cyberethics
- Prerequisite: Planetary Networks, Intellectual Integrity
- Technology: Superstring Theory, Pre-Sentient Algorithms
- Secret Project: The Planetary Datalinks
- Socio/economic model: Knowledge
- Track and Level: Build 4
Digital Sentience
- Prerequisite: Industrial Nanorobotics, Mind/Machine Interface
- Technology: Applied Gravitonics, Self-Aware Machines, Sentient Econometrics
- Secret Project: The Network Backbone
- Socio/economic model: Cybernetic
- Improves Probe Team success rate.
- Track and Level: Discover 10
Doctrine: Air Power
- Prerequisite: Synthetic Fossil Fuels, Doctrine: Flexibility
- Technology: Mind/Machine Interface, Orbital Spaceflight
- Base Facility: Aerospace Complex
- Terraforming: Airbase
- Chassis: Needlejet
- Special Ability: Air Superiority
- Track and Level: Explore 5
Doctrine: Flexibility
- Prerequisite: Doctrine: Mobility
- Technology: Doctrine: Initiative, Doctrine: Air Power, Adaptive Doctrine
- Base Facility: Pressure Dome
- Unit: Transport Foil
- Weapon: Troop Transport
- Chassis: Foil
- Track and Level: Explore 2
Doctrine: Initiative
- Prerequisite: Doctrine: Flexibility, Industrial Automation
- Technology: Nanometallurgy, Homo Superior
- Base Facility: Naval Yard
- Secret Project: The Maritime Control Center
- Chassis: Cruiser
- Special Ability: Amphibious Pods
- Track and Level: Explore 4
Doctrine: Loyalty
- Prerequisite: Doctrine: Mobility, Social Psych
- Technology: Intellectual Integrity
- Base Facility: Perimeter Defense
- Secret Project: The Command Nexus
- Socio/economic model: Police State
- Track and Level: Conquer 2
Doctrine: Mobility
- Technology: Doctrine: Flexibility, Doctrine: Loyalty
- Base Facility: Command Center
- Chassis: Speeder
- Track and Level: Explore 1
Ecological Engineering
- Prerequisite: Centauri Ecology, Gene Splicing
- Technology: Centauri Meditation, Environmental Economics
- Terraforming: Plant Fungus, Condenser, Echelon Mirror, Thermal Borehole, Aquifer
- Allows a tile's Mineral production to exceed 2.
- Track and Level: Explore 4
Environmental Economics
- Prerequisite: Industrial Economics, Ecological Engineering
- Technology: Advanced Ecological Engineering
- Base Facility: Tree Farm
- Terraforming: Raise Land, Lower Land
- Increases commerce income from treaties and pacts.
- Allows a tile's Energy production to exceed 2.
- Track and Level: Build 5
Ethical Calculus
- Prerequisite: Social Psych
- Technology: Intellectual Integrity, Gene Splicing
- Base Facility: Children's Creche
- Socio/economic model: Democratic
- Track and Level: Explore 2
Eudaimonia
- Prerequisite: Sentient Econometrics, The Will to Power
- Technology: Temporal Mechanics
- Secret Project: The Telepathic Matrix
- Socio/economic model: Eudaimonic
- Armor: Psi Defense
- Track and Level: Explore 12
Field Modulation
- Prerequisite: Progenitor Psych, Centauri Ecology
- Technology: Bioadaptive Resonance
- Armor: Resonance 3 Armor
- Track and Level: Conquer 2
Frictionless Surfaces
- Prerequisite: Unified Field Theory, Industrial Nanorobotics
- Technology: Quantum Power
- Special Ability: Cloaking Device
- Track and Level: Discover 10
Fusion Power
- Prerequisite: Pre-Sentient Algorithms, Superconductor
- Technology: Advanced Ecological Engineering, Organic Superlubricant
- Base Facility: Fusion Lab
- Citizens: Engineer
- Reactor: Fusion Reactor
- Track and Level: Discover 6
Gene Splicing
- Prerequisite: Biogenetics, Ethical Calculus
- Technology: Synthetic Fossil Fuels, Bio-Engineering, Ecological Engineering
- Base Facility: Research Hospital
- Increases defense against gene warfare.
- Allows a tile's Nutrient production to exceed 2.
- Track and Level: Build 3
Graviton Theory
- Prerequisite: Quantum Machinery, Mind/Machine Interface
- Technology: Applied Gravitonics
- Chassis: Gravship
- Special Ability: Antigrav Struts
- Allows units with drop pods to perform orbital insertions to any location.
- Track and Level: Explore 13
High Energy Chemistry
- Prerequisite: Industrial Base, Applied Physics
- Technology: Advanced Subatomic Theory, Synthetic Fossil Fuels
- Armor: Plasma Steel Armor
- Special Ability: Nerve Gas Pods
- Track and Level: Conquer 2
Homo Superior
- Prerequisite: Biomachinery, Doctrine: Initiative
- Technology: The Will to Power
- Base Facility: Nanohospital
- Secret Project: The Universal Translator
- Track and Level: Explore 8
Industrial Automation
- Prerequisite: Industrial Economics, Planetary Networks
- Technology: Silksteel Alloys, Doctrine: Initiative, Neural Grafting, Industrial Nanorobotics
- Base Facility: Hab Complex
- Secret Project: The Planetary Transit System
- Socio/economic model: Wealth
- Unit: Supply Crawler
- Weapon: Supply Transport
- Increases commerce income from treaties and pacts.
- Track and Level: Build 3
Easily one of the two or three most important technologies in the game. This technology allows you to build the Supply Crawler, a staple of virtually all advanced strategies, and additionally allows Wealth, which may be desirable, and the construction of Hab Complexes, which you'll need for bigger bases, and the Planetary Transit System, which is useful if you can spare the time and resources to grab it. On top of all that, you get more commerce. Getting this tech before anybody else does can easily swing the game in your favor even if you are otherwise behind in every other respect — but you must take full advantage of it.
Industrial Base
- Technology: Superconductor, High Energy Chemistry, Polymorphic Software, Industrial Economics
- Secret Project: The Merchant Exchange
- Armor: Synthmetal Armor
- Track and Level: Build 1
Industrial Economics
- Prerequisite: Industrial Base
- Technology: Industrial Automation, Environmental Economics, Adaptive Economics
- Base Facility: Energy Bank
- Socio/economic model: Free Market
- Increases commerce income from treaties and pacts.
- Track and Level: Build 2
Industrial Nanorobotics
- Prerequisite: Nanominiaturization, Industrial Automation
- Technology: Frictionless Surfaces, Digital Sentience
- Base Facility: Robotic Assembly Plant
- Secret Project: The Nano Factory
- Increases commerce income from treaties and pacts.
- Track and Level: Build 9
Information Networks
- Technology: Nonlinear Mathematics, Polymorphic Software, Planetary Networks
- Base Facility: Network Node
- Track and Level: Discover 1
Intellectual Integrity
- Prerequisite: Ethical Calculus, Doctrine: Loyalty
- Technology: Cyberethics, Planetary Economics
- Secret Project: The Citizens' Defense Force
- Special Ability: Non-Lethal Methods, High Morale
- Track and Level: Explore 3
Matter Compression
- Prerequisite: Nanometallurgy, Nanominiaturization
- Technology: Super Tensile Solids
- Armor: Neutronium Armor
- Special Ability: Fuel Nanocells
- Track and Level: Conquer 9
Matter Editation
- Prerequisite: Self-Aware Machines, Super Tensile Solids
- Technology: Matter Transmission
- Base Facility: Nanoreplicator
- Secret Project: Clinical Immortality
- Armor: Antimatter Plate
- Increases defense against gene warfare.
- Track and Level: Build 12
Matter Transmission
- Prerequisite: Matter Editation, Secrets of Alpha Centauri
- Technology: Temporal Mechanics
- Base Facility: Psi Gate
- Secret Project: The Bulk Matter Transmitter
- Special Ability: Blink Displacer
- Increases Mineral production in fungus.
- Track and Level: Build 13
Mind/Machine Interface
- Prerequisite: Doctrine: Air Power, Neural Grafting
- Technology: Graviton Theory, Digital Sentience, Biomachinery
- Secret Project: The Cyborg Factory
- Secret Project: The Cloudbase Academy
- Citizens: Thinker
- Chassis: Copter
- Diplomatic Proposal: Unite Behind Me As Supreme Leader
- Special Ability: Drop Pods
- Improves Probe Team success rate.
- Track and Level: Conquer 6
Monopole Magnets
- Prerequisite: Superstring Theory, Silksteel Alloys
- Technology: Unified Field Theory, Nanominiaturization
- Terraforming: Mag Tube
- Track and Level: Build 6
N-Space Compression
- Prerequisite: Orbital Spaceflight, Biomachinery
- Technology: Self-Aware Machines
- Base Facility: Flechette Defense System, Geosynchronous Survey Pod
- Track and Level: Conquer 8
Nanometallurgy
- Prerequisite: Probability Mechanics, Doctrine: Initiative
- Technology: Matter Compression, Quantum Machinery
- Special Ability: Deep Pressure Hull, Carrier Deck Repair Bay,
- Track and Level: Explore 8
Nanominiaturization
- Prerequisite: Monopole Magnets, Organic Superlubricant
- Technology: Matter Compression, Industrial Nanorobotics
- Chassis: Hovertank
- Special Ability: Algorithmic Enhancement
- Track and Level: Build 8
Neural Grafting
- Prerequisite: Secrets of the Human Brain, Industrial Automation
- Technology: Mind/Machine Interface, Bio-Engineering
- Base Facility: Bioenhancement Center
- Secret Project: The Neural Amplifier
- Allows a unit to have two special abilities.
- Track and Level: Conquer 4
Nonlinear Mathematics
- Prerequisite: Applied Physics, Information Networks
- Technology: Superstring Theory
- Weapon: Particle Impactor
- Track and Level: Conquer 2
Optical Computers
- Prerequisite: Applied Physics, Polymorphic Software
- Technology: Superconductor, Advanced Military Algorithms
- Track and Level: Discover 3
Does not give any new abilities.
Orbital Spaceflight
- Prerequisite: Doctrine: Air Power, Pre-Sentient Algorithms
- Technology: Advanced Spaceflight, N-Space Compression
- Base Facility: Sky Hydroponics Lab
- Weapon: Planet Buster, Conventional Payload
- Chassis: Missile
- Diplomatic Proposal: Salvage Unity Fusion Core
- Track and Level: Discover 6
Organic Superlubricant
- Prerequisite: Fusion Power, Synthetic Fossil Fuels
- Technology: Nanominiaturization, Advanced Spaceflight
- Weapon: Fusion Laser
- Track and Level: Conquer 7
Photon/Wave Mechanics
- Prerequisite: Applied Relativity, Silksteel Alloys
- Technology: Probability Mechanics
- Armor: Photon Wall
- Track and Level: Conquer 6
Planetary Economics
- Prerequisite: Adaptive Economics, Intellectual Integrity in SMAX, Environmental Economics and Intellectual Integrity in original
- Technology: Quantum Power, Sentient Econometrics
- Base Facility: Hybrid Forest, Subsea Trunkline
- Secret Project: The Ascetic Virtues
- Diplomatic Proposal: Global Trade Pact, Repeal Global Trade Pact
- Increases commerce income from treaties and pacts.
- Allows economic victory
- Track and Level: Build 6
Planetary Networks
- Prerequisite: Information Networks
- Technology: Industrial Automation, Cyberethics
- Base Facility: Hologram Theatre
- Secret Project: The Virtual World
- Socio/economic model: Planned
- Citizens: Librarian
- Unit: Probe Team
- Weapon: Probe Team
- Track and Level: Discover 2
Polymorphic Software
- Prerequisite: Industrial Base, Information Networks
- Technology: Advanced Subatomic Theory, Optical Computers, Adaptive Doctrine
- Special Ability: Heavy Artillery
- Improves Probe Team success rate.
- Track and Level: Discover 2
Pre-Sentient Algorithms
- Prerequisite: Advanced Military Algorithms, Cyberethics
- Technology: Fusion Power, Probability Mechanics, Orbital Spaceflight
- Base Facility: Covert Ops Center
- Secret Project: The Hunter-Seeker Algorithm
- Special Ability: Polymorphic Encryption
- Improves Probe Team success rate.
- Track and Level: Discover 5
Probability Mechanics
- Prerequisite: Photon/Wave Mechanics, Pre-Sentient Algorithms
- Technology: Nanometallurgy
- Base Facility: Tachyon Field
- Armor: Probability Sheath
- Track and Level: Build 7
Progenitor Psych
- Technology: Field Modulation, Adaptive Economics
- Base Facility: Aquafarm
- Track and Level: Explore 1
Quantum Machinery
- Prerequisite: Quantum Power, Nanometallurgy
- Technology: Graviton Theory
- Base Facility: Quantum Converter
- Weapon: Quantum Laser
- Track and Level: Build 12
Quantum Power
- Prerequisite: Frictionless Surfaces, Planetary Economics
- Technology: Quantum Machinery
- Base Facility: Quantum Lab
- Reactor: Quantum Chamber
- Track and Level: Discover 11
Retroviral Engineering
- Prerequisite: Bio-Engineering, Advanced Military Algorithms
- Technology: Biomachinery, Centauri Genetics
- Base Facility: Genejack Factory
- Increases defense against gene warfare.
- Allows gene warfare to be committed by probe teams.
- Track and Level: Conquer 6
Secrets of Alpha Centauri
- Prerequisite: Centauri Psi, Sentient Econometrics
- Technology: Matter Transmission, Secrets of the Manifolds
- Base Facility: Temple of Planet
- Citizens: Transcend
- Increases Energy production in fungus.
- Reveals the entire map when discovered.
- Secrets: First faction to discover Secrets of Alpha Centauri gains a free technological advance.
- Track and Level: Discover 12
Secrets of Creation
- Prerequisite: Unified Field Theory, The Will to Power
- Technology: Singularity Mechanics
- Secrets: First faction to discover Secrets of Creation gains a free technological advance.
- Track and Level: Discover 10
Secrets of the Human Brain
- Prerequisite: Social Psych, Biogenetics
- Technology: Neural Grafting, Centauri Empathy
- Socio/economic model: Fundamentalist
- Special Ability: Hypnotic Trance
- Secrets: First faction to discover Secrets of the Human Brain gains a free technological advance.
- Track and Level: Discover 2
Secrets of the Manifolds
- Prerequisite: Sentient Resonance, Secrets of Alpha Centauri
- Technology: Threshold of Transcendence, String Resonance
- Secret Project: The Manifold Harmonics
- Secrets: First faction to discover Secrets of the Manifolds gains a free technological advance.
- Track and Level: Discover 13
Self-Aware Machine
- Prerequisite: N-Space Compression (Advanced Spaceflight in original), Digital Sentience
- Technology: Singularity Mechanics, Matter Editation
- Base Facility: Nessus Mining Station, Orbital Defense Pod
- Secret Project: The Self-Aware Colony
- Secret Project: The Nethack Terminus
- Improves Probe Team success rate.
- Track and Level: Discover 11
Sentient Econometrics
- Prerequisite: Planetary Economics, Digital Sentience
- Technology: Eudaimonia, Secrets of Alpha Centauri
- Base Facility: Paradise Garden
- Increases commerce income from treaties and pacts.
- Recreation Commons maintenance cost reduced from 1 to 0
- Track and Level: Explore 11
Sentient Resonance
- Prerequisite: Bioadaptive Resonance, Centauri Psi
- Technology: Secrets of the Manifolds
- Weapon: Resonance Bolt
- Armor: Resonance 8 Armor
- Track and Level: Conquer 9
Silksteel Alloys
- Prerequisite: Advanced Subatomic Theory, Industrial Automation
- Technology: Monopole Magnets, Photon/Wave Mechanics
- Armor: Silksteel Armor
- Track and Level: Build 4
Singularity Mechanics
- Prerequisite: Secrets of Creation, Self-Aware Machines
- Technology: Controlled Singularity
- Base Facility: Subspace Generator
- Reactor: Singularity Engine
- Track and Level: Discover 12
Social Psych
- Technology: Doctrine: Loyalty, Ethical Calculus, Secrets of the Human Brain
- Base Facility: Recreation Commons
- Track and Level: Build 1
String Resonance
- Prerequisite: Secrets of the Manifolds, Controlled Singularity
- Weapon: String Disruptor
- Track and Level: Conquer 16
Super Tensile Solids
- Prerequisite: Matter Compression, Advanced Spaceflight
- Technology: Matter Editation
- Base Facility: Habitation Dome
- Secret Project: The Space Elevator
- Armor: Pulse 8 Armor
- Track and Level: Build 10
Superconductor
- Prerequisite: Optical Computers, Industrial Base
- Technology: Applied Relativity, Fusion Power
- Weapon: Gatling Laser
- Track and Level: Conquer 4
Superstring Theory
- Prerequisite: Nonlinear Mathematics, Cyberethics
- Technology: Monopole Magnets
- Weapon: Chaos Gun
- Track and Level: Conquer 5
Synthetic Fossil Fuels
- Prerequisite: High Energy Chemistry, Gene Splicing
- Technology: Doctrine: Air Power, Organic Superlubricant
- Weapon: Missile Launcher
- Special Ability: Fungicide Tanks
- Track and Level: Explore 4
Temporal Mechanics
- Prerequisite: Eudaimonia, Matter Transmission
- Technology: Threshold of Transcendence
- Armor: Stasis Generator
- Increases Energy production in fungus.
- Track and Level: Build 14
The Will to Power
- Prerequisite: Homo Superior, Centauri Psi
- Technology: Eudaimonia, Secrets of Creation
- Secret Project: The Dream Twister
- Socio/economic model: Thought Control
- Track and Level: Explore 9
Threshold of Transcendence
- Prerequisite: Secrets of the Manifolds (Secrets of Creation in original), Temporal Mechanics
- Technology: Transcendent Thought
- Secret Project: The Voice of Planet
- Secret Project: The Ascent to Transcendence
- Increases Mineral production in fungus.
- Track and Level: Explore 15
Transcendent Thought
- Prerequisite: Threshold of Transcendence, Controlled Singularity
Transcendent Thought serves the same function as the 'Future Technology' techs in the Civilization series: Bonus Points at the end of the game for each 'level' of Transcendent Thought researched.
- Track and Level: Discover 16
Unified Field Theory
- Prerequisite: Monopole Magnets, Applied Relativity
- Technology: Frictionless Surfaces, Secrets of Creation
- Secret Project: The Theory of Everything
- Weapon: Tachyon Bolt
- Track and Level: Conquer 7