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BackArrowGreen Back to Alpha Centauri
Blue arrow right Technology (SMAC)

SMAC tech tree poster

The tech tree is shown on a poster included with the original game.

This is a list of technologies in Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. Unlike the Civilization games, technology branches off into different paths; there is no absolute way to choose what appears. There are also no eras to advance through.

Clicking on the name of the technology will direct to a page containing additional information on the technology in question.

Technology Prerequisites Leads to Track and level Effects
Adaptive Doctrine 
Adaptive Doctrine
(Alien Crossfire only)
Polymorphic Software
Doctrine: Flexibility
Advanced Military Algorithms Conquer 3 Armor: Pulse 3 Armor

Special Ability: Marine Detachment

Adaptive Economics 
Adaptive Economics
(Alien Crossfire only)
Progenitor Psych
Industrial Economics
Planetary Economics Build 3 Base Facility: Thermocline Transducer

Secret Project: The Planetary Energy Grid

Advanced Ecological Engineering 
Advanced Ecological Engineering
Fusion Power
Environmental Economics
Centauri Psi Build 7 Terraforming: Soil Enricher

Diplomatic Proposal: Melt Polar Caps Special Ability: Super Former Sea Mining Platforms produce +1 Minerals

Advanced Military Algorithms 
Advanced Military Algorithms
Adaptive Doctrine (Alien Crossfire only)
Doctrine: Flexibility (Vanilla only)
Optical Computers
Pre-Sentient Algorithms
Retroviral Engineering
Conquer 4 Base Facility: Punishment Sphere

Socio/economic model: Power Terraforming: Bunker Diplomatic Proposal: Repeal U.N. Charter
Reinstate U.N. Charter Special Ability: AAA Tracking

Advanced Spaceflight 
Advanced Spaceflight
Orbital Spaceflight
Organic Superlubricant
Super Tensile Solids Discover 8 Base Facility: Orbital Power Transmitter

Secret Project: The Living Refinery Weapon: Plasma Shard Diplomatic Proposal: Launch Solar Shade
Increase Solar Shade

Advanced Subatomic Theory 
Advanced Subatomic Theory
High Energy Chemistry
Polymorphic Software
Applied Relativity
Silksteel Alloys
Discover 3 Base Facility: Skunkworks

Special Ability: Comm Jammer

Applied Gravitonics 
Applied Gravitonics
Graviton Theory
Digital Sentience
Controlled Singularity Explore 14 Weapon: Graviton Gun
Applied Physics 
Applied Physics
Nonlinear Mathematics
High Energy Chemistry
Optical Computers
Conquer 1 Weapon: Laser
Applied Relativity 
Applied Relativity
Superconductor
Advanced Subatomic Theory
Unified Field Theory
Photon/Wave Mechanics
Discover 5 Secret Project: The Supercollider
Bio-Engineering 
Bio-Engineering
Gene Splicing
Neural Grafting
Retroviral Engineering Build 5 Secret Project: The Longevity Vaccine

Special Ability: Clean Reactor Increases defense against gene warfare.

Bioadaptive Resonance 
Bioadaptive Resonance
(Alien Crossfire only)
Field Modulation
Centauri Empathy
Sentient Resonance Conquer 4 Unit: Spore Launcher

Weapon: Resonance Laser Special Ability: Soporific Gas Pods

Biogenetics 
Biogenetics
Secrets of the Human Brain
Gene Splicing
Discover 1 Base Facility: Recycling Tanks

Secret Project: The Human Genome Project Increases defense against gene warfare.

Biomachinery 
Biomachinery
Mind/Machine Interface
Retroviral Engineering
Homo Superior
N-Space Compression
Build 7 Secret Project: The Cloning Vats

Increases defense against gene warfare.

Centauri Ecology 
Centauri Ecology
Centauri Empathy
Ecological Engineering
Field Modulation
Explore 1 Secret Project: The Weather Paradigm

Unit: Formers Weapon: Terraforming Unit Increases Nutrient production in fungus.

Centauri Empathy 
Centauri Empathy
Secrets of the Human Brain
Centauri Ecology
Centauri Meditation
Bioadaptive Resonance
Explore 3 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.

Centauri Genetics 
Centauri Genetics
Centauri Meditation
Retroviral Engineering
Centauri Psi Explore 7 Base Facility: Brood Pit

Secret Project: The Pholus Mutagen Unit: Locusts of Chiron Increases Mineral production in fungus.

Centauri Meditation 
Centauri Meditation
Ecological Engineering
Centauri Empathy
Centauri Genetics Explore 5 Base Facility: Centauri Preserve

Secret Project: The Xenoempathy Dome Citizens: Empath Unit: Isle of the Deep Increases Energy production in fungus.

Centauri Psi 
Centauri Psi
Centauri Genetics
Advanced Ecological Engineering
The Will to Power
Secrets of Alpha Centauri
Sentient Resonance
Explore 8 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.

Controlled Singularity 
Controlled Singularity
Singularity Mechanics
Applied Gravitonics
String Resonance
Transcendent Thought
Conquer 15 Secret Project: The Singularity Inductor

Weapon: Singularity Laser

Cyberethics 
Cyberethics
Planetary Networks
Intellectual Integrity
Superstring Theory
Pre-Sentient Algorithms
Build 4 Secret Project: The Planetary Datalinks

Socio/economic model: Knowledge

Digital Sentience 
Digital Sentience
Industrial Nanorobotics
Mind/Machine Interface
Applied Gravitonics
Self-Aware Machines
Sentient Econometrics
Discover 10 Secret Project: The Network Backbone

Socio/economic model: Cybernetic Improves Probe Team success rate.

Doctrine: Air Power 
Doctrine: Air Power
Synthetic Fossil Fuels
Doctrine: Flexibility
Mind/Machine Interface
Orbital Spaceflight
Explore 5 Base Facility: Aerospace Complex

Terraforming: Airbase Chassis: Needlejet Special Ability: Air Superiority

Doctrine: Flexibility 
Doctrine: Flexibility
Doctrine: Mobility Doctrine: Initiative
Doctrine: Air Power
Adaptive Doctrine
Explore 2 Base Facility: Pressure Dome

Unit: Transport Foil Weapon: Troop Transport Chassis: Foil

Doctrine: Initiative 
Doctrine: Initiative
Doctrine: Flexibility
Industrial Automation
Nanometallurgy
Homo Superior
Explore 4 Base Facility: Naval Yard

Secret Project: The Maritime Control Center Chassis: Cruiser Special Ability: Amphibious Pods

Doctrine: Loyalty 
Doctrine: Loyalty
Doctrine: Mobility
Social Psych
Intellectual Integrity Conquer 2 Base Facility: Perimeter Defense

Secret Project: The Command Nexus Socio/economic model: Police State

Doctrine: Mobility 
Doctrine: Mobility
Doctrine: Flexibility
Doctrine: Loyalty
Explore 1 Base Facility: Command Center

Chassis: Speeder

Ecological Engineering 
Ecological Engineering
Centauri Ecology
Gene Splicing
Centauri Meditation
Environmental Economics
Explore 4 Terraforming: Plant Fungus
Condenser
Echelon Mirror
Thermal Borehole
Aquifer

Allows a tile's Mineral production to exceed 2.

Environmental Economics 
Environmental Economics
Industrial Economics
Ecological Engineering
Advanced Ecological Engineering Build 5 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.

Ethical Calculus 
Ethical Calculus
Social Psych Intellectual Integrity
Gene Splicing
Explore 2 Base Facility: Children's Creche

Socio/economic model: Democratic

Eudaimonia 
Eudaimonia
Sentient Econometrics
The Will to Power
Temporal Mechanics Explore 12 Secret Project: The Telepathic Matrix

Socio/economic model: Eudaimonic Armor: Psi Defense

Field Modulation 
Field Modulation
(Alien Crossfire only)
Progenitor Psych
Centauri Ecology
Bioadaptive Resonance Conquer 2 Armor: Resonance 3 Armor
Frictionless Surfaces 
Frictionless Surfaces
Unified Field Theory
Industrial Nanorobotics
Quantum Power Discover 10 Special Ability: Cloaking Device
Fusion Power 
Fusion Power
Pre-Sentient Algorithms
Superconductor
Advanced Ecological Engineering
Organic Superlubricant
Discover 6 Base Facility: Fusion Lab

Citizens: Engineer Reactor: Fusion Reactor

Gene Splicing 
Gene Splicing
Biogenetics
Ethical Calculus
Synthetic Fossil Fuels
Bio-Engineering
Ecological Engineering
Build 3 Base Facility: Research Hospital

Increases defense against gene warfare. Allows a tile's Nutrient production to exceed 2.

Graviton Theory 
Graviton Theory
Quantum Machinery
Mind/Machine Interface
Applied Gravitonics Explore 13 Chassis: Gravship

Special Ability: Antigrav Struts Allows units with drop pods to perform orbital insertions to any location.

High Energy Chemistry 
High Energy Chemistry
Industrial Base
Applied Physics
Advanced Subatomic Theory
Synthetic Fossil Fuels
Conquer 2 Armor: Plasma Steel Armor

Special Ability: Nerve Gas Pods

Homo Superior 
Homo Superior
Biomachinery
Doctrine: Initiative
The Will to Power Explore 8 Base Facility: Nanohospital

Secret Project: The Universal Translator

Industrial Automation 
Industrial Automation
Industrial Economics
Planetary Networks
Silksteel Alloys
Doctrine: Initiative
Neural Grafting
Industrial Nanorobotics
Build 3 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. Notes: One of the most important technologies in the game, allowing to build the versatile Supply Crawler unit, and adding the social choice, base facility, and secret project that can greatly facilitate population and economic growth.

Industrial Base 
Industrial Base
Superconductor
High Energy Chemistry
Polymorphic Software
Industrial Economics
Build 1 Secret Project: The Merchant Exchange

Armor: Synthmetal Armor

Industrial Economics 
Industrial Economics
Industrial Base Industrial Automation
Environmental Economics
Adaptive Economics
Build 2 Base Facility: Energy Bank

Socio/economic model: Free Market Increases commerce income from treaties and pacts.

Industrial Nanorobotics 
Industrial Nanorobotics
Nanominiaturization
Industrial Automation
Frictionless Surfaces
Digital Sentience
Build 9 Base Facility: Robotic Assembly Plant

Secret Project: The Nano Factory Increases commerce income from treaties and pacts.

Information Networks 
Information Networks
Nonlinear Mathematics
Polymorphic Software
Planetary Networks
Discover 1 Base Facility: Network Node
Intellectual Integrity 
Intellectual Integrity
Ethical Calculus
Doctrine: Loyalty
Cyberethics
Planetary Economics
Explore 3 Secret Project: The Citizens' Defense Force

Special Ability: Non-Lethal Methods
High Morale

Matter Compression 
Matter Compression
Nanometallurgy
Nanominiaturization
Super Tensile Solids Conquer 9 Armor: Neutronium Armor

Special Ability: Fuel Nanocells

Matter Editation 
Matter Editation
Self-Aware Machines
Super Tensile Solids
Matter Transmission Build 12 Base Facility: Nanoreplicator

Secret Project: Clinical Immortality Armor: Antimatter Plate Increases defense against gene warfare.

Matter Transmission 
Matter Transmission
Matter Editation
Secrets of Alpha Centauri
Temporal Mechanics Build 13 Base Facility: Psi Gate

Secret Project: The Bulk Matter Transmitter Special Ability: Blink Displacer Increases Mineral production in fungus.

Mind/Machine Interface 
Mind/Machine Interface
Doctrine: Air Power
Neural Grafting
Graviton Theory
Digital Sentience
Biomachinery
Conquer 6 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.

Monopole Magnets 
Monopole Magnets
Superstring Theory
Silksteel Alloys
Unified Field Theory
Nanominiaturization
Build 6 Terraforming: Mag Tube
N-Space Compression 
N-Space Compression
(Alien Crossfire only)
Orbital Spaceflight
Biomachinery
Self-Aware Machines Conquer 8 Base Facility: Flechette Defense System
Geosynchronous Survey Pod
Nanometallurgy 
Nanometallurgy
Probability Mechanics
Doctrine: Initiative
Matter Compression
Quantum Machinery
Explore 8 Special Ability: Deep Pressure Hull
Carrier Deck Repair Bay,
Nanominiaturization 
Nanominiaturization
Monopole Magnets
Organic Superlubricant
Matter Compression
Industrial Nanorobotics
Build 8 Chassis: Hovertank

Special Ability: Algorithmic Enhancement

Neural Grafting 
Neural Grafting
Secrets of the Human Brain
Industrial Automation
Mind/Machine Interface
Bio-Engineering
Conquer 4 Base Facility: Bioenhancement Center

Secret Project: The Neural Amplifier Allows a unit to have two special abilities.

Nonlinear Mathematics 
Nonlinear Mathematics
Applied Physics
Information Networks
Superstring Theory Conquer 2 Weapon: Particle Impactor
Optical Computers 
Optical Computers
Applied Physics
Polymorphic Software
Superconductor
Advanced Military Algorithms
Discover 3 Does not give any new abilities.
Orbital Spaceflight 
Orbital Spaceflight
Doctrine: Air Power
Pre-Sentient Algorithms
Advanced Spaceflight
N-Space Compression
Discover 6 Base Facility: Sky Hydroponics Lab

Weapon: Planet Buster
Conventional Payload Chassis: Missile Diplomatic Proposal: Salvage Unity Fusion Core

Organic Superlubricant 
Organic Superlubricant
Fusion Power
Synthetic Fossil Fuels
Nanominiaturization
Advanced Spaceflight
Conquer 7 Weapon: Fusion Laser
Photon/Wave Mechanics 
Photon/Wave Mechanics
Applied Relativity
Silksteel Alloys
Probability Mechanics Conquer 6 Armor: Photon Wall
Planetary Economics 
Planetary Economics
Adaptive Economics
Intellectual Integrity in SMAX, Environmental Economics and Intellectual Integrity in original
Quantum Power
Sentient Econometrics
Build 6 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

Planetary Networks 
Planetary Networks
Information Networks Industrial Automation
Cyberethics
Discover 2 Base Facility: Hologram Theatre

Secret Project: The Virtual World Socio/economic model: Planned Citizens: Librarian Unit: Probe Team Weapon: Probe Team

Polymorphic Software 
Polymorphic Software
Industrial Base
Information Networks
Advanced Subatomic Theory
Optical Computers
Adaptive Doctrine
Discover 2 Special Ability: Heavy Artillery

Improves Probe Team success rate.

Pre-Sentient Algorithms 
Pre-Sentient Algorithms
Advanced Military Algorithms
Cyberethics
Fusion Power
Probability Mechanics
Orbital Spaceflight
Discover 5 Base Facility: Covert Ops Center

Secret Project: The Hunter-Seeker Algorithm Special Ability: Polymorphic Encryption Improves Probe Team success rate.

Probability Mechanics 
Probability Mechanics
Photon/Wave Mechanics
Pre-Sentient Algorithms
Nanometallurgy Build 7 Base Facility: Tachyon Field

Armor: Probability Sheath

Progenitor Psych 
Progenitor Psych
(Alien Crossfire only)
Field Modulation
Adaptive Economics
Explore 1 Base Facility: Aquafarm
Quantum Machinery 
Quantum Machinery
Quantum Power
Nanometallurgy
Graviton Theory Build 12 Base Facility: Quantum Converter

Weapon: Quantum Laser

Quantum Power 
Quantum Power
Frictionless Surfaces
Planetary Economics
Quantum Machinery Discover 11 Base Facility: Quantum Lab

Reactor: Quantum Chamber

Retroviral Engineering 
Retroviral Engineering
Bio-Engineering
Advanced Military Algorithms
Biomachinery
Centauri Genetics
Conquer 6 Base Facility: Genejack Factory

Increases defense against gene warfare. Allows gene warfare to be committed by probe teams.

Secrets of Alpha Centauri 
Secrets of Alpha Centauri
Centauri Psi
Sentient Econometrics
Matter Transmission
Secrets of the Manifolds
Discover 12 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.

Secrets of Creation 
Secrets of Creation
Unified Field Theory
The Will to Power
Singularity Mechanics Discover 10 Secrets: First faction to discover Secrets of Creation gains a free technological advance.
Secrets of the Human Brain 
Secrets of the Human Brain
Social Psych
Biogenetics
Neural Grafting
Centauri Empathy
Discover 2 Socio/economic model: Fundamentalist

Special Ability: Hypnotic Trance Secrets: First faction to discover Secrets of the Human Brain gains a free technological advance.

Secrets of the Manifolds 
Secrets of the Manifolds
(Alien Crossfire only)
Sentient Resonance
Secrets of Alpha Centauri
Threshold of Transcendence
String Resonance
Discover 13 Secret Project: The Manifold Harmonics

Secrets: First faction to discover Secrets of the Manifolds gains a free technological advance.

Self-Aware Machines 
Self-Aware Machines
N-Space Compression (Advanced Spaceflight in original), Digital Sentience Singularity Mechanics
Matter Editation
Discover 11 Base Facility: Nessus Mining Station
Orbital Defense Pod

Secret Project: The Self-Aware Colony Secret Project: The Nethack Terminus Improves Probe Team success rate.

Sentient Econometrics 
Sentient Econometrics
Planetary Economics
Digital Sentience
Eudaimonia
Secrets of Alpha Centauri
Explore 11 Base Facility: Paradise Garden

Increases commerce income from treaties and pacts. Recreation Commons maintenance cost reduced from 1 to 0

Sentient Resonance 
Sentient Resonance
(Alien Crossfire only)
Bioadaptive Resonance
Centauri Psi
Secrets of the Manifolds Conquer 9 Weapon: Resonance Bolt

Armor: Resonance 8 Armor

Silksteel Alloys 
Silksteel Alloys
Advanced Subatomic Theory
Industrial Automation
Monopole Magnets
Photon/Wave Mechanics
Build 4 Armor: Silksteel Armor
Singularity Mechanics 
Singularity Mechanics
Secrets of Creation
Self-Aware Machines
Controlled Singularity Discover 12 Base Facility: Subspace Generator

Reactor: Singularity Engine

Social Psych 
Social Psych
Doctrine: Loyalty
Ethical Calculus
Secrets of the Human Brain
Build 1 Base Facility: Recreation Commons
String Resonance 
String Resonance
(Alien Crossfire only)
Secrets of the Manifolds
Controlled Singularity
Conquer 16 Weapon: String Disruptor
Super Tensile Solids 
Super Tensile Solids
Matter Compression
Advanced Spaceflight
Matter Editation Build 10 Base Facility: Habitation Dome

Secret Project: The Space Elevator Armor: Pulse 8 Armor

Superconductor 
Superconductor
Optical Computers
Industrial Base
Applied Relativity
Fusion Power
Conquer 4 Weapon: Gatling Laser
Superstring Theory 
Superstring Theory
Nonlinear Mathematics
Cyberethics
Monopole Magnets Conquer 5 Weapon: Chaos Gun
Synthetic Fossil Fuels 
Synthetic Fossil Fuels
High Energy Chemistry
Gene Splicing
Doctrine: Air Power
Organic Superlubricant
Explore 4 Weapon: Missile Launcher

Special Ability: Fungicide Tanks

Temporal Mechanics 
Temporal Mechanics
Eudaimonia
Matter Transmission
Threshold of Transcendence Build 14 Armor: Stasis Generator

Increases Energy production in fungus.

The Will to Power 
The Will to Power
Homo Superior
Centauri Psi
Eudaimonia
Secrets of Creation
Explore 9 Secret Project: The Dream Twister

Socio/economic model: Thought Control

Threshold of Transcendence 
Threshold of Transcendence
Secrets of the Manifolds (Secrets of Creation in original), Temporal Mechanics Transcendent Thought Explore 15 Secret Project: The Voice of Planet

Secret Project: The Ascent to Transcendence Increases Mineral production in fungus.

Transcendent Thought 
Transcendent Thought
Threshold of Transcendence
Controlled Singularity
Discover 16 Notes: 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.
Unified Field Theory 
Unified Field Theory
Monopole Magnets
Applied Relativity
Frictionless Surfaces
Secrets of Creation
Conquer 7 Secret Project: The Theory of Everything

Weapon: Tachyon Bolt

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