The deepest layer of the xenotype creator is not mechanical—it is storytelling. Why do these people exist? Were they a failed glitterworld eugenics project? A resort species bred for beauty that outlived their creators? A slave race that rebelled?
When you start a new game, you can select "Custom Xenotype" and even choose its appearance frequency in the world (Rare, Common, or Only your faction). Imagine a playthrough where your "Noble" xenotype (Beautiful, Psychically Dull, Weak, Delicate, Slow Runner) crash-landed into a world of brutal, fast-healing Neanderthals.
The xenotype system also creates in-game social friction. A pawn with "Unstoppable" (ignores pain) will fight to the death, but a pawn with "Wimp" (high pain) will collapse from a bee sting. A colony of "Kill-Thirst" cannibals has a very different vibe from a colony of "High-Life" leaf-lovers.
While you can make anything, some builds are objectively powerful. Here are three meta-defining xenotypes.
, creating a custom xenotype is a core feature of the Biotech DLC
that allows you to engineer specialized humans with unique genetic traits
. This can be done either at the start of a new game for your initial colonists or mid-game through advanced gene engineering. RimWorld Wiki How to Create a Custom Xenotype Access the Editor
: When starting a new game, proceed to the colonist selection screen. Click the button to choose a pawn's xenotype, then select the "Xenotype Editor" Select Genes
: Choose from various genetic traits (genes) that grant abilities like fast movement, improved social skills, or specialized biological needs. Balance Metabolic Efficiency
: Each gene has a metabolic cost or benefit. You must balance positive traits with negative ones (like increased hunger) to keep efficiency at -5 or higher Set Heritability : Decide if the genes are (passed to children) or (artificial implants that are not heritable). Save and Name rimworld create xenotype
: Give your creation a unique name and icon for use in your current or future playthroughs. Core Genetic Mechanics
, creating a custom xenotype is a core feature of the Biotech DLC. You can build your own genetically modified species from scratch during the game setup or by modifying pawns mid-game using a Gene Assembler. Creating a Xenotype During New Game Setup
When starting a new scenario, you can define exactly what your starting colonists are:
Select Colonist: In the "Create characters" screen, click on the Xenotype name next to a colonist's background.
Open Editor: Select the "Create custom..." option at the top of the xenotype list to open the Xenotype Editor.
Choose Genes: Pick from hundreds of genetic traits (e.g., Fur-skinned, Fire-spewing, Super-fast runner).
Metabolic Efficiency: Each gene has a cost. "Good" genes (like high combat skill) lower efficiency, requiring the pawn to eat more often. "Bad" genes (like UV sensitivity) increase efficiency, allowing for more powerful builds.
Save Xenotype: Give your creation a name and icon. You can save it to use in future playthroughs or apply it to other starting pawns. Creating Xenotypes Mid-Game (The Gene System)
If you are already playing, you don't "create" a xenotype in a menu; you engineer it: The deepest layer of the xenotype creator is
Extraction: Use a Gene Extractor on captured enemies or your own colonists to pull out specific "genepacks."
Storage: Keep your collected genes in Gene Banks so they stay viable.
Assembly: Use a Gene Assembler to combine multiple genepacks into a single Xenogerm.
Implantation: Use a medical operation to implant that Xenogerm into a colonist. This overwrites their existing xenogenes (but not their germline genes) and officially changes their xenotype to whatever you named your custom creation. Key Terms for the Feature
Germline Genes: Permanent genes passed down to children (like a Pigskin’s snout).
Xenogenes: Artificial genes implanted later in life; these are not typically inherited.
Complexity: The more genes you add, the more Gene Processors you need connected to your assembler to handle the data.
To see the visual interface and gene list in action, you can check the Official RimWorld Wiki Biotech Page.
In , you can create a custom xenotype either at the start of a new game or during an active colony playthrough if you have the Biotech expansion. How to Create a Xenotype 1. During New Game Setup This is the easiest way to start with a unique race. A resort species bred for beauty that outlived
Access the Editor: On the colonist selection screen, click the Xenotype icon (usually says "Baseliner") next to a pawn's name.
Open the Xenotype Editor: Select the "Custom" option to open the editor.
Select Genes: Choose from available genes to define your race's traits, skills, and appearance.
Manage Metabolic Efficiency: Keep an eye on the metabolic efficiency meter. Negative efficiency makes pawns need more food, while positive efficiency reduces their hunger.
Enable Archite Genes: Tick the "Ignore Restrictions" checkbox or the archite gene checkbox in the bottom right if you want to use powerful, non-inheritable genes. 2. During an Active Game (Genetics)
To create a xenotype mid-game, you must research and build specific infrastructure.
Gene Assembler: This is where you combine genes into a xenogerm.
Gene Banks & Processors: Store your collected genepacks in gene banks and use gene processors to increase the maximum complexity of the xenotypes you can design.
Implantation: Once the xenogerm is created, a doctor must surgically implant it into a pawn to change their xenotype. Key Considerations
Genes are the building blocks of a Xenotype. They are acquired in two ways:
These affect how the pawn lives its life.