Research

Research is the main way to unlock more features of the game. Each branch has different cost requirements and unlocks different aspects of the game.

Tanks
Unlocks the creation of tanks in The Machine tab. Tanks increase item capacity.

Cost: 5 Heat

Workers
Unlocks the creation of workers in The Armory tab. Workers automate processes.

Cost: 50 Heat

Kilns
Unlocks the creation of kilns in The Machine tab. Kilns increase worker capacity.

Cost: 500 Heat

Fluid
Unlocks the creation of fluid in The Machine tab. Fluid increases worker efficiency.

Cost: 3000 Heat

Exploration
Unlocks the Explore section. [Needs verification]

Cost: 15 Workers

Lead
Unlocks the production of lead in the Soldier tab. Lead increases job speed.

Cost: 1 Rusty Key

Weapon Creation
Unlocks attack Blast.

Cost: 50 Lead

Canisters
Unlocks the creation of canisters in the Soldier tab. Canisters increase item capacity.

Cost: 100 Lead

Shells
Unlocks the creation of shells in the Soldier tab. Shells increase worker capacity.

Cost: 1000 Lead

Powder
Unlocks the creation of powder in the Soldier tab. Powder increases worker efficiency.

Cost: 10,000 Lead

Zinc
Unlocks the production of zinc in the Inventor tab. Zinc increases job speed.

Cost: 1 Rusty Key

Weapon Creation
Unlocks attack Charge.

Cost: 50 Zinc

Cells
Unlocks the production of cells in the Inventor tab. Cells increase item capacity.

Cost: 100 Zinc

Electrolyte
Unlocks the production of electrolytes in the Inventor tab. Electrolytes increase worker capacity.

Cost: 1000 Zinc

Energized Cells
Unlocks the production of energized cells in the Inventor tab. Energized cells increase worker efficiency.

Cost: 10,000 Zinc

Steel
Unlocks the production of steel in the Hunter tab. Steel increases job speed.

Cost: 1 Rusty Key

Weapon Creation
Unlocks attack Slash.

Cost: 50 Steel

Bins
Unlocks the production of bins in the Hunter tab. Bins increase item capacity.

Cost: 100 Steel

Scrap
Unlocks the production of scrap in the Hunter tab. Scrap increases worker capacity.

Cost: 1000 Steel

Composite
Unlocks the production of composites in the Hunter tab. Composites increase worker efficiency.

Cost: 10,000 Steel

Combat Skills
Unlocks various Alloys, to use in upgrading stats such as primary Health, Shield Health, Shield Regeneration, and Shield Downtime.

Cost: 1 Copper Key

Badlands
Unlocks the exploration of the Badlands.

Cost: 1 Salt Key

Cliffs
Unlocks the exploration of the Cliffs.

Cost: 2 Rusty Keys

Bio Swamp
Unlocks the exploration of the Bio Swamp.

Cost: 30 Fuel

Surroundings
Unlocks the exploration of the Landfill, the Laboratory, and the Forest.

Cost: 2 Copper Keys

Deeper
Unlocks the exploration of the Facility.

Cost: 1 Lucky Key (see Items From Exploration)

Beyond
Unlocks All-Stars

Cost: 1 Golden Key

Equipment Slot
Unlocks a new slot for equipment in the Equip tab. Multiple upgrades.

Cost: 1 Material (unlock second attack)

Cost: 1 Rusty Key

Cost: 2 Lead Key

Cost: 2 Zinc Key

Cost: 2 Steel Key

Basic Skills
Unlocks Skills tab in Explore section, allowing for purchase of new attacks for battle.

Cost: 1 Worker