Captain Kwok's Space Empires Depot
Captain Kwok's Balance Mod

The objective of the Balance Mod is to provide a set of data files with better game balance in keeping with the standard game along with more competitive and diversified AI opponents.

Captain Kwok IconMod Overview

Captain Kwok's Balance Mod Logo

Work on the Balance Mod started in August 2006 with the goal of creating an alternate set of data files for Space Empires V with better game balance versus the standard game. A number of SE:V beta testers help with the initial direction of the mod providing helpful feedback and even a few data files. Since then, work on the mod has continued over the years incorporating suggestions from the Space Empires community. The scope of the mod has expanded during that time as well and a number of new gameplay elements have been added. Hopefully the mod addresses most of issues in the standard game while enhancing your Space Empires experience.

Check out the feature list below for a brief summary of the main changes that were made. I'm always working on the mod and keeping it up to date with each SE:V patch and not to mention the fact that there is always something to improve - especially with the AI!

Downloads | Information | Communities | Scripts | Resources | Features

Captain Kwok IconBalance Mod Downloads

To install, extract to your GameTypes folder. Say 'Yes' to overwrite files if you are updating a previous copy. Check out the Balance Mod Help Page if you are having trouble.

Balance Mod v1.29 Beta [Complete] Added 12-Jul-2025!
.zip Download (81,052 KB) | .rar Download (70,495 KB)

Can be used with SE5 v1.74+
Savegame compatible with BM v125+ series games!
Please note the v125+ series is not compatible with v120+ saved games, empire files, maps or setup files!

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Balance Mod v1.28 [Complete] Added 16-Mar-2025!
.zip Download (80,720 KB) | .rar Download (70,259 KB)

Balance Mod v1.27 [Complete] Added 25-Jan-2025!
.zip Download (59,736 KB) | .rar Download (51,869 KB)

Balance Mod v1.26 [Complete] Added 24-Nov-2024!
.zip Download (59,511 KB) | .rar Download (51,657 KB)

Balance Mod v1.25 [Complete] Added 01-Jun-2024!
.zip Download (59,451 KB) | .rar Download (51,607 kb)

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Balance Mod v1.24 [Complete] Last version of the v120+ series!
.zip Download (24,244 KB) | .rar Download (22,197 KB)

Can be used with SE5 v1.74+
Savegame compatible with all BM v120+ series games!
Please note the v1.20 series is not compatible with v1.15+ saved games, empire files, maps or setup files!

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Older obsolete versions can be found here:
Balance Mod Download Archive

Captain Kwok IconBalance Mod Information

Balance Mod History
The complete public history log for the Balance Mod. It's updated with each new release.

Balance Mod Help
Need some help installing the mod or adding a custom race? Check the help page.

Balance Mod FAQs
Interested to learn more about the content or mechanics of the mod? Read the FAQs.

Balance Mod Minister FAQs
What do the ministers in the Balance Mod do? Read the Minister FAQs.

Captain Kwok IconBalance Mod Extras/Add-Ons

Balance Mod Extras
A variety of special event scripts or mini mods for the Balance Mod such as the Random Research or Pollution Events. Both extras have since been incorporated into the default mod.

Captain Kwok IconBalance Mod Communities

Balance Mod Discord Server
Join the Balance Mod Discord server for mod specific discussion! This is the most active space for discussion.

Steam SE5 Community Forum
Currently most active SE5 forum often featuring Balance Mod discussion and updates.

SE5 Balance Mod Forums Link Inactive!
Long ago the 'Official' Balance Mod forums were hosted on SpaceEmpires.net. Currently the website is currently down and unlikely to return.

Captain Kwok IconBalance Mod Scripts

Balance Mod v128 Source Scripts (605 kb) Added 16-Mar-2025!
Updated source scripts for v128. Includes new races (N'grath, Xoronn) plus 10 new neutral AI scripts.

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Balance Mod v127 Source Scripts (488 kb) Added 25-Jan-2025!
Updated source scripts for v127

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Balance Mod v126 Source Scripts (482 kb) Added 24-Nov-2024!
Updated source scripts for v126

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Balance Mod v125 Source Scripts (474 kb) Added 01-Jun-2024!
Updated source scripts for v125

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Balance Mod v124 Source Scripts (427 kb) Added 02-Jun-2023!
Updated source scripts for v124. Last version of the 120+ series.

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Balance Mod v1.19j Source Scripts (403 kb)
For interested modders who'd like to see how the AI is designed. Last version of the v115+ series.

Captain Kwok IconBalance Mod Resources

Balance Mod v125+ Formations (950 KB) Updated 16-Mar-2025!
A visual reference for Balance Mod formations with updates for v128.

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Balance Mod v129 Beta Tech Chart (406 KB) Added 12-Jul-2025!
Detailed tech chart valid for Balance Mod v129 Beta. Includes new/modified Intelligence Project costs.

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Balance Mod v128 Tech Chart (380 KB) Added 16-Mar-2025!
Detailed tech chart valid for Balance Mod v128. Includes update Intelligence Project costs.

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Balance Mod v126 Tech Chart (378 KB) Added 24-Nov-2024!
Detailed tech chart valid for Balance Mod v126/v127.

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Balance Mod v125 Tech Chart (378 KB) Added 01-June-2024!
Detailed tech chart valid for Balance Mod v125.

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Balance Mod v1.23/v1.24 Tech Chart (363 KB) Updated 07-Apr-2023!
Detailed tech chart with index valid for the Balance Mod v120+ series (up to v124).

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Balance Mod v1.19 Tech Chart (130 KB)
Detailed tech chart with index valid for the Balance Mod v115+ series (up to v119).

Captain Kwok IconBalance Mod Features

Game Setup:
  • Balanced Racial Trait costs, Government and Society Types
  • Includes new stellar object types and systems that are generally more realistic and interesting
  • Mod specific settings file to control AI diplomatic behaviour
  • Mod specific settings file for research and pollution events

General Gameplay:
  • Fewer sectors per system to speed up turn processing times in larger games
  • Detailed ability and modifier descriptions
  • Smaller Empire Flags for the system map
  • Resource, research and intelligence generation and costs reduced by a factor of 10 to improve UI display
  • Increased consumption of organics by population
  • Revised leaky intel system to eliminate all-or-nothing intel attacks
  • More sophisticated happiness system takes into account government type, planet conditions and diplomatic states
  • Planetary pollution provides more diverse planetary conditions and colony designs
  • More varied events

Tech Tree:
  • Distinct 'ages' of technological progression
  • Fewer overall tech levels, but similar research length due to more substantial research costs
  • Added racial trait Interdimensional Knowledge
  • Enhanced organization of tech areas
  • Many items now under more appropriate tech areas
  • Improved balance in research costs for comparible items

Ships:
  • Ship sizes increase in more useful amounts per level
  • SE:III style propulsion means bigger ships need more engines
  • Ships dedicate roughly the same percentage of space to engines/components/weapons - helps improve Small/Large ship balance
  • Additional maintenance or attack/defense modifiers for many ship hulls
  • Differentiated racial trait hulls for Organic and Crystalline empires
  • Many additional design types for the player and AI
  • Auto complete function can design many more ship types to save time

Components and Facilities:
  • Lots of changes to costs and effect amounts of components and facilities
  • Wider variety of components and facilities available
  • Slight change in costs to encourage more diverse resource economies
  • Proportionate increases in ability amounts amongst related items, such as weapon damage and armor
  • Many components are now considered as cargo, expanding the use of freighters/transports
  • Separated launching and cargo attributes for deploying units to add more strategic depth
  • Less tedious ship design with logically organized components
  • Shields and Armor are more equivalent in their effects, which allows for flexibility in play styles

Weapons:
  • Improved weapon balance allows more flexibility in weapon choices
  • Weapon mounts provide a less drastic increase in firepower for the change in weapon size
  • More effective point-defense
  • New and revamped sounds including dedicated small weapons sounds

AI:
  • Assess own performance and adjust empire tactics and strategies
  • Adaptive and more effective AI ship designs with appropriate component choices
  • Analyse enemy ship designs to improve their own design effectiveness
  • Extra AI design types
  • Adaptive AI colony type selection
  • Revised AI research pathways
  • Some AI prioritization in research and responsive research point spending
  • Increased variety in types and sizes of ships and fleets
  • More developed AI diplomacy
  • AI more aggressive in defending its territory
  • AI manages units more effectively
  • AI uses stellar manipulation technology
  • AI uses advanced facilities and components

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