Vanilla Races Expanded - Starjack

See change notes.

Vanilla Races Expanded is a brand new series of mods to enhance Biotech features, add to the storytelling and the world-building of RimWorld, and to introduce new, cool types of xenohumans, complete with their own unique genes, behaviors, mechanics and items.

In Vanilla Races Expanded – Starjack, we're expanding the Starjack xenotype into a fully space-adapted species. Originally built for life in zero gravity, Starjacks now come with new genes, unique abilities, and a deeper identity as orbital specialists who struggle on planetary surfaces.

A major addition is the Astrogene system - genes that only activate in space. Each Starjack gets two randomized astrogenes, offering powerful but situational bonuses without affecting surface gameplay balance.

We've also added new genes like Vacuum-Impervious, Cryostasis, Vacuum Efficiency, and Spacejump Tail, as well as several Oxygen Sensitivity traits that make planetary life increasingly hazardous. These changes reinforce the Starjacks' role as elite voidborn workers, pilots, and explorers, perfectly suited for gravships and deep-space survival.

The mod requires Odyssey DLC.

Vanilla Races Expanded - Starjacks adds following content to the game:

Q: Will this mod work without Biotech DLC? A: No. It uses the new gene system to work with Biotech.

Q: Will this mod work without Odyssey DLC? A: No, since the mod changes a xenotype added by the Odyssey DLC.

Q: Will you make a HAR version of this race? A: No, this is exclusively for the Biotech DLC.

Q: Can I prevent starjacks from suffering from oxygen sensitivity? A: Easily. They just need to wear any apparel that provides at least 80% vacuum resistance.

Q: Will this mod affect existing starjacks? A: No, it will not affect starjacks that already exist. Only newly spawned starjacks will be affected.

Q: Do these genes appear in genepacks in the game? A: They do! You can find the individual genes and apply them to any pawn!

Q: Will starjacks suffer from oxygen sensitivity onboard a gravship in orbit? A: No. Oxygen sensitivity only affects them on surface. The artificial atmosphere of the gravship can probably be changed (particularly the oxygen level) to satisfy both starjacks and normal xenotypes. It’s just on the surface there’s no way to do that, so the amount of oxygen in the air makes them suffer.

Q: Can I add it to an ongoing save? A: Yes, but I don’t think you can safely remove xenotype mods, so don’t come crying when your game breaks if you remove mods!

Q: I don’t like the way you changed starjacks. A: I think the changes really make them shine as a space xenotype that rarely goes down to the surface, and only in protective gear. I think the way starjacks were originally designed was a bit too safe.

Q: Can I have my starjacks have more or less astrogenes? A: Yes, mod options will allow you to set the desired number of astrogenes to anything between 0 and 5. Default is 2.

Q: Do astrogenes count towards metabolic efficiency and complexity? A: They do not! They are free genes, but only work in space!

Q: I have a suggestion! A: Excellent! Pop it in the comments section.

Q: CE compatible? A: No idea. If it is, I’d appreciate if someone from CE let me know.

Graphics and mod design by Oskar Potocki.

Code work by Sarg Bjornson.

Storyteller artwork by vitalii.

Screenshots by Reel.

Rimworld is owned by Tynan Sylvester.

(CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)