Research unlocks new possibilities: more planets, expeditions, fleet slots, and more powerful weapons and shields. Below, you’ll find how they work, what factors affect the time required, and what to upgrade first. All data is taken from the game’s code.
Source of the data. The names, effects, and time formulas are taken directly from the game engine (the War of Alliances universe). Research cards can be found in the Research section of the encyclopedia.
How Research Works
- Research is paid for with the "Science" resource. Research does not cost Metal or Crystal, but rather a special resource called Science.
- The Laboratory produces Science. This building accumulates Science, which you then use to pay for research.
- The price increases with each level. Each subsequent research level is more expensive than the previous one.
- Time depends on your Science reserve, NOT on your Laboratory level. This is the key feature: the more Science you have in your reserve, the faster research proceeds. Roughly speaking: time = the cost of research divided by your Science reserve. That’s why it pays to stockpile Science—even expensive research projects will be completed faster that way.
In other words, the Laboratory doesn't affect the speed directly, but rather through the amount of Science it has accumulated for you.
What to Download and Why
There is a lot of research; here are the key areas:
| Research | What are the benefits of |
|---|---|
| Microprocessors | +1 fleet slot per level — how many fleets can be deployed at the same time |
| Resource Extraction | speeds up the extraction of Metal/Crystal/Deuterium |
| Colonization | +1 planet per level (increases the planet limit) |
| Espionage | the accuracy of exploration of other planets |
| Astrophysics | more expeditions at the same time and for longer periods |
| Expedition | A larger fleet can be sent on an expedition |
| Engines (Jet/Pulse/Ion/Warp) | higher fleet speed |
| Attack / Armor / Shields (and their subcategories) | the combat power of ships and defenses |
Where to Start as a Beginner: Microprocessors (more fleets right away), Resource Gathering (faster economy), and Colonization (more planets). Next up: Astrophysics for expeditions and combat technologies.
Dependency Tree
Research unfolds in a chain—one discovery leads to another:
- Microprocessors unlock Resource Extraction and Espionage.
- Resources unlocks Astrophysics and Colonization.
- Espionage reveals Shields and Armor.
- Astrophysics unlocks the Expedition, which in turn unlocks the search for fleets, dark matter, and stardust in expeditions.
- The attack activates the weapon modules (laser, ion, plasma, gravity) and enables precision shots.
That's why basic research comes first—without it, you can't make breakthroughs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are research projects funded? The "Science" resource, produced by the Laboratory.
How can we speed up research? Accumulating a Science reserve: Time is calculated based on the reserve, not the Laboratory level. The more Science you have in your reserve, the faster it goes.
What should I download first? Microprocessors (fleet slots), Resource Gathering (economy), Colonization (planets). Then—expeditions and combat.
Why are some studies unavailable? The ones further up the chain haven't been discovered yet. First, the foundational studies—the "parents"—are published.
