Research & Technology Guide

Galactico has 16 technologies organized in a tree with real prerequisites. Unlocking the right technologies in the right order is one of the biggest skill differentials between strong and weak players. This guide covers every technology, what it does, what it requires, and when to prioritize it.

How research works

Research is conducted at your Research Lab. Only one technology can be researched at a time per player (unless you have parallel queue unlocks). Research time scales with the technology level and your Research Lab level — a higher lab means faster research. See the Facilities Guide for lab details.

Key rule: you cannot upgrade the Research Lab while research is running. Queue your Lab upgrade for a gap between research jobs.

Technology tree

Espionage Technology

Determines the intelligence your Spy Probes return from enemy planets.

• Level 1: Resources visible
• Level 2: Fleet and resources visible
• Level 3+: Defense structures visible
• Higher levels: deeper detail and counter-espionage resistance

Priority: Very High (Early). Get this to level 2 on day one. Scouting before attacking is the difference between profitable raiding and losing your fleet.

Computer Technology

Increases your fleet slot count by 1 per level. More fleet slots = more simultaneous missions.

• Each level: +1 active fleet slot
• Priority: High (Early). Start at level 1 quickly, push to 3–4 as your fleet grows.

Weapons Technology

Increases the weapon damage of all your ships by 10% per level.

• Each level: +10% attack damage for all ships
• Priority: Medium (Mid-game). A key combat multiplier once you're regularly raiding and fighting.

Shielding Technology

Increases the shield strength of all ships by 10% per level.

• Each level: +10% shields for all ships
• Priority: Medium (Mid-game). Pair with Weapons Tech for battle effectiveness.

Armour Technology

Increases hull points (structural integrity) of all ships by 10% per level.

• Each level: +10% hull points for all ships
• Priority: Medium (Mid-game). Makes your fleet more durable in sustained combat.

Energy Technology

A prerequisite technology required by many branches of the tree. Also needed for advanced energy production.

• Required for: Hyperspace Technology, Laser Technology, Ion Technology, Plasma Technology, Graviton Technology
• Priority: High (Early-mid). Level 3–5 early to keep research prerequisites open.

Combustion Drive

Increases the speed of ships using combustion engines (Small Cargo, Large Cargo, Light Fighter, Spy Probe, Recycler).

• Each level: +10% speed for combustion-engine ships
• Required for: basic fleet operations
• Priority: High (Early). Level 1 required to build combat ships. Push to 6 for faster raids.

Impulse Drive

Required for mid-tier ships. Increases speed of impulse-engine ships (Cruiser, Battleship, Bomber).

• Requires: Energy Technology 1
• Each level: +20% speed for impulse ships
• Priority: Medium (Mid-game). Required to unlock Cruisers and better ships.

Hyperspace Drive

Required for top-tier ships. Gives a massive speed bonus to hyperspace ships.

• Requires: Hyperspace Technology 3
• Each level: +30% speed for hyperspace ships
• Priority: Medium-High (Mid-game). Prerequisite for Destroyers, Battlecruisers, Deathstar.

Hyperspace Technology

A prerequisite technology for advanced drives and ships.

• Requires: Shielding Technology 5, Energy Technology 5
• Priority: Medium. Build when you're ready to unlock tier-3 ships.

Laser Technology

Prerequisite for Ion Technology and heavy defense structures.

• Requires: Energy Technology 2
• Priority: Low-Medium. Build when pursuing the Ion/Plasma research branch.

Ion Technology

Prerequisite for Plasma Technology and Ion Cannon defense.

• Requires: Laser Technology 5, Energy Technology 4
• Priority: Low-Medium. The path to the Plasma Turret and heavy defense.

Plasma Technology

Increases damage for Plasma Turrets and enables the Plasma Cannon defense structure. One of the most powerful defensive upgrades available.

• Requires: Ion Technology 5, Energy Technology 8
• Priority: Medium (Defense-focused players). Plasma Turrets are some of the strongest defense in the game.

Intergalactic Research Network

Allows research time to be shared across multiple Research Labs on different planets.

• Each level: +1 planet contributing to research speed
• Priority: Low (Late game). Only useful once you have several colonized planets with Research Labs.

Astrophysics

Unlocks colonization of new planets and enables Expeditions.

• Each level: increases maximum colony count and expedition slots
• Requires: Espionage Technology 4, Impulse Drive 3
• Priority: High (Mid-game). Colonizing a second planet roughly doubles your long-term production capacity.

Graviton Technology

The rarest and most expensive technology. Required to build the Deathstar.

• Requires: Energy Technology 300,000 units (a flat energy cost, not resource cost)
• Cannot be upgraded past level 1 in most contexts
• Priority: Very Low. A prestige unlock for established players.

Recommended research order

Week 1:

1. Espionage Technology 1–2
2. Computer Technology 1
3. Combustion Drive 1–3
4. Energy Technology 1–3
5. Espionage Technology 3

Week 2–4: 6. Computer Technology 2–3 7. Shielding Technology 1–3 8. Weapons Technology 1–3 9. Armour Technology 1–3 10. Impulse Drive 1 (unlocks Cruisers) 11. Astrophysics 1–2 (colony expansion)

Month 2+: 12. Hyperspace Technology (path to top ships) 13. Hyperspace Drive 14. Laser → Ion → Plasma (defense focus)

Full strategy context in the Fleet & Combat Guide and Defense Guide.