Research

Research delivers permanent account-wide bonuses. Every research level applies across all your planets.

Tech tree

The tree branches into four main lines:

• Economy — faster mining, larger storage, cheaper builds.
• Combat — weapon, shield and armor tech.
• Logistics — engine tech (chemical, impulse, hyperspace) plus computer tech for fleet slot count.
• Special — espionage, intergalactic networks, end-game tier unlocks.

Prerequisites

Every research has prerequisites in both buildings (Research Lab level X) and other research nodes. Open the Research screen for the exact unlock conditions.

Effects

Research effects are additive within their stat (each level adds a fixed percentage), not multiplicative. Combat tech in particular compounds heavily with high-tier ships, so do not skip mid-game weapon upgrades.

Costs

Research costs grow per level. Top-tier tech can take days even with bonuses; queue overnight runs and use officer Scientist where possible.