Research (LW2)

The Power Core of the Avenger doubles as its main Research laboratory, headed by Dr. Tygan. Research in Long War 2 has been expanded with two more weapon tier techs, one more autopsy, and more Proving Grounds projects unlocked by autopsies.

Unlocked items in bold don't need any other project, while items in italics need another research or Proving Grounds project to be fully available.
Projects with a yellow background form part of the Golden Path: the elements that progress the storyline.

Research Time

The time to research a project is based on a points system: each project has a required amount of points to complete, and each hour a number of points is added depending on the number of scientists in the Avenger and how they're staffed.

At the start of the game, the only contribution to research comes from Tygan, counting as a scientist contributing 10 science points per hour, but he cannot be assigned to any scientist staff slots. Each additional scientist contributes another 5 points per hour, increasing to 10 if they're working in a laboratory, but if they're staffed in any other facility, they won't be able to contribute to research.

The "Basic Research" project will increase the base points per hour by 5, and it is infinitely repeatable, but each completion increases the cost of the next one by 2800 points.

Basic Projects

These projects increase XCOM's efficiency at research and engineering, reducing staff requirements and increasing speed. They can be repeated indefinitely, but each time they are completed the time for the next repeat increases.

Research	Points Cost	Effect
Basic Research	5200 (+2800 for each completion)	Increases effective scientists for project prerequisites by 1 Increases science speed by 5 points per hour
Basic Engineering	5200 (+2800 for each completion)	Increases effective engineers for project prerequisites by 1

Resistance

These projects unlock facilities for contacting the Resistance in more regions. In addition to the time invested, they now have an intel cost.

Research	Prerequisites	Cost		Unlocks
Research	Research	Points	Intel	Research	Facilities
Resistance Communications Resistance Communications	-	1250	20	Resistance Radio	Resistance Comms
Resistance Radio Resistance Radio	Resistance Communications	4000	60	-	Radio Relays Additional Comm Station (Resistance Comms upgrade)

Xenology

These projects study the aliens' capabilities in a way that doesn't fit in other categories.

Research	Prerequisites	Cost		Unlocks
Research	Research	Points	Supplies	Research	Proving Ground	Facilities	Items
Alien Biotech Alien Biotech	-	1300	-	Most autopsies	Hazmat Vest	-	AP Rounds
Psionics Psionics	Sectoid Autopsy	4500	30	Gatekeeper Autopsy Shadow Armor	-	Psi Lab Second Cell (Psi Lab upgrade)	Neurowhip Advanced Psi Amp Alien Psi Amp

Alien Autopsies

Once Alien Biotech has been researched, corpses recovered from some missions can be autopsied. If enough corpses are available, the autopsy will take no time to complete, but only one corpse will be consumed.

Research	Prerequisites	Cost		Unlocks
Research	Research	Points	Corpses	Research	Proving Ground	Facilities	Items
Sectoid Autopsy Sectoid Autopsy	Alien Biotech	2200	1x Sectoid Corpse (10x for Instant)	Psionics	Talon Rounds	-	Mind Shield Advanced PCS: Focus
Viper Autopsy Viper Autopsy	Alien Biotech	2500	1x Viper Corpse (10x for Instant)	Viper King Autopsy	Battlefield Medicine Venom Rounds Gas Grenade	-	-
Muton Autopsy Muton Autopsy	Alien Biotech	3500	1x Muton Corpse (10x for Instant)	Berserker Autopsy Muton Elite Autopsy	Tactical Vest Plasma Grenade	-	Vibroblade
Berserker Autopsy Berserker Autopsy	Muton Autopsy	3500	1x Berserker Corpse (10x for Instant)	Berserker Queen Autopsy	Hellweave	-	Overdrive Serum
Muton Elite Autopsy Muton Elite Autopsy	Muton Autopsy	4000	1x Muton Elite Corpse (10x for Instant)	-	Carapace Plating Dragon Rounds	-	Blaster Gauntlet
Archon Autopsy Archon Autopsy	Alien Biotech	4000	1x Archon Corpse (10x for Instant)	Archon King Autopsy	Acid Grenade	-	Fusion Blade Fusion Axe
Faceless Autopsy Faceless Autopsy	Alien Biotech	3500	1x Faceless Corpse (10x for Instant)	-	Chameleon Suit Needle Rounds	-	-
Chryssalid Autopsy Chryssalid Autopsy	Alien Biotech	2500	1x Chryssalid Corpse (10x for Instant)	-	Chitin Plating Flechette Rounds	-	-
Andromedon Autopsy Andromedon Autopsy	Alien Biotech	4000	1x Andromedon Wreck (10x for Instant)	-	Advanced Grenades	-	Holotargeter Mark III
Gatekeeper Autopsy Gatekeeper Autopsy	Psionics	5000	1x Gatekeeper Shell (10x for Instant)	-	-	-	Arc Blaster Superior PCS: Focus Alien Psi Amp
Viper King Autopsy Viper King Autopsy	Viper Autopsy	500	Viper King Corpse	-	Serpent Suit	-	Serpent Armor
Berserker Queen Autopsy Berserker Queen Autopsy	Berserker Autopsy	1000	Berserker Queen Corpse	-	R.A.G.E. Suit	-	R.A.G.E. Armor
Archon King Autopsy Archon King Autopsy	Archon Autopsy	1500	Archon King Corpse	-	Icarus Armor	-	-

ADVENT Autopsies

Once Alien Biotech has been researched, corpses recovered from some missions can be autopsied. If enough corpses are available, the autopsy will take no time to complete, but only one corpse will be consumed. These also include mechanized units, which can be broken down after their robotics have been investigated (which doubles as drone breakdown).

Research	Prerequisites	Cost		Unlocks
Research	Research	Points	Corpses	Research	Proving Ground	Facilities	Items
ADVENT Trooper Autopsy ADVENT Trooper Autopsy	Alien Biotech	2000	1x ADVENT Trooper Corpse (20x for Instant)	ADVENT Stun Lancer Autopsy ADVENT Shieldbearer Autopsy ADVENT Officer Autopsy ADVENT Robotics	Alloy Plating	Proving Ground	-
ADVENT Stun Lancer Autopsy ADVENT Stun Lancer Autopsy	ADVENT Trooper Autopsy	2000	1x ADVENT Stun Lancer Corpse (10x for Instant)	-	-	-	Arc Blade Advanced Arc Thrower
ADVENT Shieldbearer Autopsy ADVENT Shieldbearer Autopsy	ADVENT Trooper Autopsy	2200	1x ADVENT Shieldbearer Corpse (10x for Instant)	-	Stasis Vest Stiletto Rounds	-	-
ADVENT Officer Autopsy ADVENT Officer Autopsy	ADVENT Trooper Autopsy	4000	1x ADVENT Officer Corpse (10x for Instant)	Magnetic Weapons	Skulljack Incendiary Grenade	-	-
ADVENT Robotics ADVENT Robotics	Hybrid Materials ADVENT Trooper Autopsy	2000	3x Drone Wrecks	ADVENT MEC Breakdown ADVENT Turret Breakdown Sectopod Breakdown	Mechanized Warfare Skullmining Redscreen Rounds Battlescanners	-	GREMLIN Mark II
ADVENT MEC Breakdown ADVENT MEC Breakdown	ADVENT Robotics	2500	1x ADVENT MEC Wreck (10x for Instant)	-	Bluescreen Protocol	-	Holotargeter Mark II Plated BIT
ADVENT Turret Breakdown ADVENT Turret Breakdown	ADVENT Robotics	1200	1x ADVENT Turret Wreck (10x for Instant)	-	Falcon Rounds	Defense Matrix	-
Sectopod Breakdown Sectopod Breakdown	ADVENT Robotics	5000	1x Sectopod Wreck (10x for Instant)	-	Proximity Mines	-	GREMLIN Mark III Powered BIT

Weapons

These projects aim to improve XCOM's weaponry through various means.

Research	Prerequisites	Cost					Unlocks
Research	Research	Points	Supplies	Alien Alloys	Elerium Crystals	Elerium Cores	Research	Proving Ground	Facilities	Items
Modular Weapons Modular Weapons	-	760	-	-	-	-	Laser Weapons	Basic Weapon Upgrades	-	Weapon Upgrading
Experimental Weapons Experimental Weapons	Alien Hunters DLC	2400	-	-	-	-	-	Bolt Caster Shadowkeeper Hunter's Axe Frost Bomb	-	-
Laser Weapons Laser Weapons	Modular Weapons Hybrid Materials	4000	-	2	5	-	Advanced Laser Weapons	-	-	Laser Rifle (1 granted on completion) Laser Stengun Laser Pistol
Advanced Laser Weapons Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: warning: setlocale: LC_ALL: cannot change locale (en_US.utf8) /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/local/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Advanced Laser Weapons	Laser Weapons	4000	-	2	10	-	Plasma Rifle	-	-	Laser Cannon (1 granted on completion) Scatterray Laser Lance
Magnetic Weapons Magnetic Weapons	Hybrid Materials ADVENT Officer Autopsy	10500	50	10	-	-	Advanced Magnetic Weaponry	-	-	Mag Rifle (1 granted on completion) Stuttermag Mag Pistol Gauntlet Mark II Advanced Grenade Launcher Magnetic Bolt Caster Enhanced Shadowkeeper
Advanced Magnetic Weaponry Advanced Magnetic Weaponry	Magnetic Weapons	10500	50	10	-	-	Coilguns	-	-	Shard Gun (1 granted on completion) Mag Cannon Mag Long Rifle Helix Rail-Cannon
Coilguns Coilguns	Advanced Magnetic Weaponry Elerium	18000	100	15	15	-	Advanced Coilguns	-	-	Coil Rifle (1 granted on completion) Subcoiler Gauss Pistol
Advanced Coilguns Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: warning: setlocale: LC_ALL: cannot change locale (en_US.utf8) /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/local/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Advanced Coilguns	Coilguns	10500	50	10	-	-	Plasma Rifle	Shredstorm Cannons	-	Gauss Long Rifle (1 granted on completion) Gauss Cannon Scattergun Mag Shorty
Plasma Rifle Plasma Rifle	Advanced Laser Weapons Advanced Coilguns	22000	150	20	30	3	Beam Cannon Plasma Lance Storm Gun	Plasma Blasters	-	Plasma Rifle (1 granted on completion) Scramgun Plasma Pistol Plasma Bolt Caster Powered Shadowkeeper
Beam Cannon Beam Cannon	Plasma Rifle	15000	100	10	15	1	-	-	-	Beam Cannon (1 granted on completion) Elerium Phase-Cannon
Plasma Lance Plasma Lance	Plasma Rifle	15000	100	10	15	1	-	-	-	Plasma Lance (1 granted on completion)
Storm Gun Storm Gun	Plasma Rifle	15000	100	10	15	1	-	-	-	Storm Gun (1 granted on completion)

Materials and Armor

These projects study alien materials and improve XCOM's defensive capabilities.

Research	Prerequisites	Cost					Unlocks
Research	Research	Points	Supplies	Alien Alloys	Elerium Crystals	Elerium Cores	Research	Proving Ground	Facilities	Items
Hybrid Materials Hybrid Materials	-	2000	-	5	3	-	Elerium Combat Armor ADVENT Robotics Laser Weapons Magnetic Weapons	Most Proving Ground projects	-	Tracer Rounds
Elerium Elerium	Hybrid Materials	10000	50	-	50	5	Powered Armor Coilguns	-	Elerium Conduit (Power Relay upgrade)	Advanced Psi Amp
Combat Armor Combat Armor	Hybrid Materials	5500	50	15	-	-	Mobile Armor Battle Armor Powered Armor	-	-	Predator Armor (1 granted on completion)
Mobile Armor Mobile Armor	Combat Armor	5500	50	5	2	-	Shadow Armor	-	-	Spider Suit (1 granted on completion)
Battle Armor Battle Armor	Combat Armor	5500	50	10	-	1	Battlesuits	Plasma Blasters	-	E.X.O. Suit (1 granted on completion) Reinforced Frame
Powered Armor Powered Armor	Combat Armor Elerium	18000	100	20	20	2	Shadow Armor Battlesuits	-	-	Warden Armor (1 granted on completion) R.A.G.E. Armor Serpent Armor
Shadow Armor Shadow Armor	Powered Armor Mobile Armor Psionics	14000	100	20	20	3	-	-	-	Wraith Suit (1 granted on completion)
Battlesuits Battlesuits	Powered Armor Battle Armor	14000	100	20	20	2	-	Shredstorm Cannons	-	W.A.R. Suit (1 granted on completion) Anodized Chassis Blaster Gauntlet

Shadow Chamber Projects

These projects form a major part of the storyline, beginning when either the Blacksite mission is completed or when a Codex Brain is recovered from Skulljacking an ADVENT Officer. The first of these unlocks the Shadow Chamber, a facility needed for every project afterwards. These projects cost Intel, and they all belong to the Golden Path: they will unlock further storyline missions, including the final ones.

Research	Prerequisites		Cost					Unlocks
Research	Research	Other	Points	Items	Intel	Supplies	Elerium Crystals	Research	Proving Ground	Facilities	Missions
Alien Encryption Alien Encryption	-	Blacksite Vial or Codex Brain	3580	-	40	-	-	-	-	Shadow Chamber	-
Blacksite Vial Blacksite Vial	-	Shadow Chamber	3500	Blacksite Vial	50	-	-	-	-	-	Blacksite Data Coordinates
Codex Brain Codex Brain	Alien Biotech	Shadow Chamber	2400	Codex Brain	25	-	-	Encrypted Codex Data	-	-	Codex Brain Coordinates
Encrypted Codex Data Encrypted Codex Data	Alien Biotech Codex Brain	Shadow Chamber	3800	-	25	-	-	-	-	-	Breach the Alien Network
Recovered ADVENT Stasis Suit Recovered ADVENT Stasis Suit	-	Shadow Chamber	4000	ADVENT Stasis Suit	60	-	-	Avatar Autopsy	-	-	-
Psionic Gate Psionic Gate	-	Shadow Chamber (Psionic Gate upgrade)	4000	-	80	65	10	Avatar Autopsy	Mimic Beacons	-	-
Avatar Autopsy Avatar Autopsy	Alien Biotech Recovered ADVENT Stasis Suit Psionic Gate	Shadow Chamber	5000	Avatar Corpse	-	-	-	-	-	-	ADVENT Network Tower and Alien Fortress

Intel and Rendering

Datapads, Leads, Cores and Corpses can be processed with these projects, consuming them in exchange for resources. Take care not to render corpses needed for other purposes.

Research

Prerequisites

Cost

Reward

Research

Points

Item