Ten branches, 65 nodes. Research unlocks advanced warships and structures.
All research is conducted at the Research Laboratory, and only one node can be active at a time. The tree has ten branches arranged radially — five main branches of eight tiers each, and five hybrid branches of five tiers each — for 65 nodes total. Hybrid branches sit between two main branches and require the tier-1 node of both neighbours before they open.
Five main branches and five hybrids that bridge them.
| Branch | Type | Tiers | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domination | Main | 8 | Warships, Fleet Hangar progression, raw military power |
| Diplomacy | Main | 8 | Clan and command support craft |
| Expansion | Main | 8 | Defensive and economy-support ships |
| Exploration | Main | 8 | Utility and disruption craft |
| Evolution | Main | 8 | Advanced and elite warships |
| Warfare | Hybrid | 5 | Bridges Domination & Diplomacy |
| Commerce | Hybrid | 5 | Bridges Diplomacy & Expansion |
| Prospecting | Hybrid | 5 | Bridges Expansion & Exploration |
| Xenotech | Hybrid | 5 | Bridges Exploration & Evolution |
| Arsenal | Hybrid | 5 | Bridges Evolution & Domination — siege & elite weapons |
Research is your gateway to the strongest units in the game. Most advanced warships are locked behind a specific research node, and upgrading your Fleet Hangar past level 5 requires Domination Tier 2. Plan your research path around the ships you want to field. Research costs scale steeply — early nodes complete in minutes, while the deepest tiers cost tens of thousands of resources and take days.
The primary military branch — unlocks most warships and the Fleet Hangar level-5 upgrade.
Advanced and elite warships, including the endgame Ascendant.
Defensive and economy-support ships that keep a fleet alive longer.
The branches behind support craft, disruption, and siege/elite weapons.