Warp engine
In brief:Warp engine — an Xterium research: gives warp engine speed +250% at maximum, up to 50 upgrade levels, cost 1 000–132 000 000 science.
(data current as of 2026-05-22, game version 2.12.7)
Description
The warp engine deforms the space in front of the ship into the projection of a point of infinite mass and density, deducing it every time for the perspective of the horizon. Due to the curvature of time and space, the ship is thus capable of performing interstellar flights at sublight speeds and higher. The technology of the warp engine is obtained as a result of studying the Ancient artifacts, and its only drawback is the high production price. Install warp engines only makes sense for very powerful and expensive vessels.
What it gives
Levels: effect and price
| Level | Warp engine speed | Science (price) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | +5% | 1 000 |
| 8 | +40% | 10 000 |
| 15 | +75% | 81 500 |
| 22 | +110% | 335 000 |
| 29 | +145% | 7 500 000 |
| 36 | +180% | 52 000 000 |
| 43 | +215% | 90 000 000 |
| 50 | +250% | 132 000 000 |
Reference levels are shown. The study price is in Science points (values, they grow with the level). It can be instantly sped up with Dark Matter.
Science price and calculator
How much science each level needs:
Calculator: time and instant speed-up
Enter your science and choose a level — we'll show how long the research takes and how much dark matter is needed to finish it instantly.
Formulas verified: time = science price ÷ your science per hour (but no less than price ÷ 5), divided by research speed. Instant completion is calculated by the dark matter for the remaining time. Overlock multiplies the science price (and thus the time and dark matter): each overlock level is pricier.
Overclock (honing)
After the maximum level, the research can be “honed” with star ore — this gives a super-bonus.
Warp engine speed · first reset 150 star ore
Each reset adds the bonus on top of the max level; the star-ore price grows with every reset.
Requirements
To unlock this research, you need to raise the following to the required level:
Research is upgraded in the Laboratory and the Technopolis.
