Pax Autocratica Laws Guide: Fear vs Loyalty Paths & Priority Order
Every law explained, plus recommended pass-order for Fear, Loyalty, and hybrid regimes.
The Law System Explained
Laws in Pax Autocratica are how you shape your regime. Each law affects Fear, Loyalty, production, and stability. There is no "correct" way to rule — but every choice shapes the society you create, and consequences spread through social connections to friends, rivals, and family.
Fear vs Loyalty: The Core Tension
| Path | Mechanism | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fear Path | High-pressure authoritarian rule | Fast obedience, suppresses dissent | Long-term instability; population one disaster from collapse |
| Loyalty Path | Benevolent dictator approach | Sustainable, productive, stable | Slow to establish; needs constant upkeep |
| Mixed | Balanced law combinations | Adapts to situations | Demands constant attention to all three stats |
Recommended Priority Order
Early laws set the tone. A sensible pass-order:
- Food security laws — surplus and rationing; prevents the fastest colony-killer.
- Workforce laws — job filters and locks; raises base productivity.
- Surveillance laws — discourages open rebellion; cheap control.
- Branch commitment — commit to Fear or Loyalty only after your economy is stable.
Don't pass heavy Fear laws before your economy can absorb the Loyalty hit. A small population under high fear is one bad event from a revolt.
Key Laws by Category
Pacification (Loyalty-leaning)
- Non-lethal capture mods — raise capture success, feed the recruitment loop.
- Indoctrination upgrades — reduce resistance faster, lower prison risk.
Correctional (Fear-leaning)
- Prison efficiency — lowers the cost of holding captives.
- Execution laws — instant Fear colony-wide; loses the captive asset.
Military Synergy
- Conscription laws — raise troop capacity (Fear path).
- Sacrifice laws — convert troops into expendable shields for boss fights.
Reading Your Colony
Pass laws that reinforce your overall strategy, not whatever looks strongest in isolation. Watch the three values — Morale, Fear, Loyalty — as a single system. The Iron Fist + Velvet Glove (enforcement for control, stable living conditions for productivity) is the most sustainable long-term posture.