Research (EU2012)
Research is the core of XCOM, we must learn more about the enemy and how we can defeat them.
Dr. Vahlen
Dr. Vahlen is the Chief Scientist assigned to the XCOM project. She leads the Research Team's efforts with great enthusiasm, as her particular interests lie in finding ways to adapt the alien technology to advance human scientific developments.
Laboratories
Info on laboratories and bonuses.
Scientists
Research Time
Projects
Aircraft
| Project | Description | Prerequisite | Cost | Speed (Diff. + Scientists) |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alien Nav Computer | The navigational control systems recovered from the crashed UFO seem to act as both a flight computer and a communications module. Further study may lead to improvements in our ability to detect incoming UFOs. | Salvage: UFO Flight Computer | 2 UFO Flight Computers | (C+5) Slow (20d) | Facility: Satellite Nexus Research: New Fighter Craft Foundry: Stealth Satellites |
| UFO Power Source | With the element known as "Elerium" housed within, this compact device is somehow responsible for generating the enormous amounts of power consumed by the alien vessels. Given time, we may be able to adapt this technology for our own fighter craft. | Salvage: UFO Power Source | Facility: Elerium Power Generator Research: New Fighter Craft, Elerium | ||
| New Fighter Craft | After extensive study of the alien gravity wave drive, as well as their power and navigational systems, we believe it should be possible to incorporate aspects of their design into a craft of our own. | Research: Alien Nav Computer, UFO Power Source | 10 Elerium 10 Alloys 75 Weapon Fragments |
Engineer: Firestorm Interceptor, Hover SHIV Research: Archangel Armor, EMP Cannon | |
| Plasma Cannon | With additional insulation to protect the avionics, it should be possible to equip our Interceptors with plasma weapons. By integrating a larger version of the containment housing developed for our other plasma weapons, the end result would be an extremely effective ship-based cannon. | Research: Light Plasma Rifle | 10 Elerium 30 Weapon Fragments |
Engineer: Plasma Cannon | |
| EMP Cannon | We've conceived of a weapon capable of disabling electronic systems without destroying them... if we were to equip our Interceptors with this technology, whil also shielding them from the overall effect, this could greatly improve our odds of recovering alien technology intact. | Research: Plasma Rifle | 20 Elerium | Engineer: EMP Cannon Foundry: SHIV Repair | |
| Fusion Lance | We've recovered a number of interesting materials from the wreckage of the battleship-class UFO. If we can gain a better understanding of the alien fusion core, I believe further research on this path may lead us to the development of an immensely powerful air-to-air weapon. | Salvage: Fusion Core | 20 Elerium 10 Alloys 50 Weapon Fragments |
Engineer: Fusion Lance |
Armor
| Project | Description | Prerequisite | Cost | Speed (Diff. + Scientists) |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alien Materials | The aliens appear to be using materials that are lighter and stronger than anything we've ever seen. A cursory examination has already given us ideas for ways to improve the soldiers' current body armor, but more research is required. | None | 5 Weapon Fragments | Fast (3 days) (C+5) Normal (8d) |
Engineer: Nano-Fiber Vest Research: Experimental Warfare, Carapace Armor |
| Carapace Armor | We've continued our experiments on the alien alloys, and one of the proposed applications is a lighter, stronger form of body armor. Our early tests are very encouraging. | Research: Alien Materials Salvage: Alien Alloys |
10 Alloy | (C+9) Slow (16d) | Engineer: Carapace Armor, Alloy SHIV Research: Skeleton Suit, Titan Armor |
| Skeleton Suit | Although the weight of this suit has been substantially reduced, its defensive capabilities are still intact...and the reduced weight has allowed us to couple that suit with the climbing grapple that we've been prototyping. | Research: Carapace Armor | 15 Alloys | 16 Days on Normal with 16 Scientists (C+10) Slow (20d) |
Engineer: Skeleton Suit |
| Titan Armor | We've observed some of the alien combatants wearing a form of superheavy armor that still allows for full mobility in combat. This has been puzzling, to say the least, but with our new understanding of alien energy sources and their materials, we could develop powered armor of our own. | Research: Carapace Armor, Elerium | 15 Alloys 5 Elerium |
4 days on Normal with 45 scientists (Armor Research Credit) | Engineer: Titan Armor Research: Ghost Armor, Archangel Armor |
| Ghost Armor | Research: Titan Armor, Hyperwave Communication | Engineer: Ghost Armor | |||
| Archangel Armor | Research: Titan Armor, New Fighter Craft | Engineer: Archangel Armor Foundry: Advanced Flight |
Autopsies
| Project | Description | Prerequisite | Cost | Speed (Diff. + Scientists) |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sectoid Autopsy | Our initial scans of the small humanoid aliens recovered so far have revealed something quite remarkable. We're detecting components of non-biological matter embeedded within their internal structure. Could these be implants of some kind? | Obtain Sectoid Corpse | 1 Sectoid Corpse | 5 Days on Normal with 12 Scientists | Engineer: Uplink Targeting (AIM) |
| Thin Man Autopsy | These aliens were clearly intended to be infiltrators, moving among us and observing without raising an alarm. However, the question remains, how were the aliens able to physically modify this species to achieve this goal? | Obtain Thin Man Corpse | 1 Thin Man Corpse | 3 Days on Normal with 16 Scientists | Foundry: Improved Medikit |
| Floater Autopsy | A torturous mass of flesh and machinery, the mere existence of this creature implies a cruelty that is difficult to comprehend. | Obtain Floater Corpse | 1 Floater Corpse | 3 Days on Normal with 22 Scientists | Engineer: Defense Matrix (Dodge) |
| Muton Autopsy | Weighing in at over 275 kilograms, the majority of which is simply muscle and bone, this creature appears well suited for the rigors of front-line combat. | Obtain Muton Corpse | 1 Muton Corpse | ' | Foundry: Ammo Conservation |
| Chryssalid Autopsy | A cursory examination of this creature reveals that it is similar in structure to several insect species found on Earth. Although covered in an exceedingly hard exoskeleton, the six appendages of this alien are nonetheless exceedingly light and flexible. | Obtain Chrysalid Corpse | 1 Chryssalid Corpse | (N+14) Fast (3d) | Engineer: Chitin Plating |
| Drone Autopsy | ' | Obtain Drone Wreck | 1 Drone Wreck | ' | Foundry: Drone Capture |
| Cyberdisk Autopsy | ' | Obtain Cyberdisk Wreck | 1 Cyberdisk Wreck | ' | Engineer: UFO Tracking (Boost) |
| Sectoid Commander Autopsy | ' | Obtain Sectoid Commander Corpse | 1 Sectoid Commander Corpse | ' | Facility: Psionic Lab |
| Berserker Autopsy | ' | Obtain Berserker Corpse | 1 Berserker Corpse | ' | Engineer: Combat Stims |
| Heavy Floater Autopsy | ' | Obtain Heavy Floater Corpse | 1 Heavy Floater Corpse | ' | Foundry: Advanced Repair |
| Muton Elite Autopsy | As if its heightened muscle density, hardened skin, and redundant organs weren't enough, this alien appears to have neural implants that facilitate command and control functions. Given the circumstances, this specimen would appear ideal for guard duty. | Obtain Muton Elite Corpse | 1 Muton Elite Corpse | ' | Research credit: Plasma Weaponry |
| Sectopod Autopsy | The engineering advancements found in this machine are remarkable - the joint articulation, weapons systems and targeting capabilities in particular are well beyond current military developments on Earth. The practical applications are staggering. | Obtain Sectopod Wreck | 1 Sectopod Wreck | ' | Foundry: Advanced Construction |
| Ethereal Autopsy | ' | Obtain Ethereal Corpse | 1 Ethereal Corpse | ' | Engineer: Mind Shield |
Interrogations
| Project | Description | Prerequisite | Cost | Speed (Diff. + Scientists) |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interrogate Sectoid | We've taken one of the smaller aliens captive - hopefully we can develop a thorough interrogation process to overcome any language barriers we might encounter | Facility: Alien Containment | 1 Captured Sectoid | ' | Research credit: Beam Weaponry |
| Interrogate Sectoid Commander | This captive is clearly a rare and dangerous specimen. We've already seen evidence of its unique mental abilities in the field... We should tread carefully, but we certainly cannot pass up the insights it might be able to provide during interrogation. | Facility: Alien Containment | 1 Captured Sectoid Commander | ' | Facility: Psionic Lab Research credit: Psionics |
| Interrogate Thin Man | "It seems unlikely that this particular species will break under interrogation as quickly as the other captives, as we believe it was specifically intended to serve as an infiltrator. Still, perhaps if we use more aggressive techniques, we can... coax... it into revealing more information about how the aliens arrived here." | Facility: Alien Containment | 1 Captured Thin Man | (N+31) Fast (2d) | Research credit: UFO Technology |
| Interrogate Floater | Although this captive seems to be feeble of mind... clouded by rage... we might nonetheless be able to derive some benefit from a full interrogation. | Facility: Alien Containment | 1 Captured Floater | ' | Research credit: Basic Armor |
| Interrogate Heavy Floater | This horrifying machine-flesh hybrid suggests that invaders are willing to stop at little, or nothing, to achieve their goals. | Facility: Alien Containment | 1 Captured Heavy Floater | ' | Research credit: Flight Technology |
| Interrogate Berserker | ' | Facility: Alien Containment | 1 Captured Berserker | ' | Research credit: All Armor |
| Interrogate Muton | This captive is very aggressive, clearly having been intended to serve in a front-line combat role. With the appropriate drug therapy and... encouragement... we may be able to coax some useful intel on the alien weaponry and their tactics. | Facility: Alien Containment | 1 Captured Muton | (N+22) Fast (2d) | Research credit: Plasma Weaponry |
| Interrogate Muton Elite | ' | Facility: Alien Containment | 1 Captured Muton Elite | ' | Research credit: Weapons Technology |
| Interrogate Ethereal | Facility: Alien Containment | 1 Captured Ethereal | ' | Engineer: Mind Shield Research credit: All Technology |
Weapons
| Project | Description | Prerequisite | Cost | Speed (Diff. + Scientists) |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc Thrower | "With our recent insights into the alien biological makeup, we believe it should be possible to create a device capable of incapacitating an alien subject without killing it. If our troops could capture an alien alive, perhaps we could interrogate it." | Research: Xeno-Biology | 10 Weapon Fragments | (N+10) Normal (6d) | Engineer: Arc Thrower |
| Weapon Fragments | These fragments are all that remain of the powerful alien weaponry we've encountered so far. Further study could lead to advances in our own weapons development programs. | None | 5 Weapon Fragments | (C+5) Normal (8d) | Engineer: S.C.O.P.E. Research: Experimental Warfare, Beam Weapons, Plasma Weaponry Foundry: S.C.O.P.E. Upgrade |
| Beam Weapons | Our research into alien weapon fragments led to the idea of portable laser weaponry. Our early prototypes have been encouraging, but we continue to struggle with issues related to heat dispersion. | Research: Weapon Fragments | 5 Alloy 10 Weapon Fragments |
(C+9) Slow (14d) (C+10) Slow (12d) |
Engineer: Laser Pistol, Laser Rifle Research: Precision Lasers, Heavy Lasers Foundry: Improved Pistol II |
| Precision Lasers | The alien weaponry appears to use a series of crystalline lenses to increase the power output of their weapons. While we can't recreate their materials, we can adapt the techniques to increase the range and power of our own laser weapons. | Research: Beam Weapons | 5 Alloys 5 Weapon Fragments |
5 Days on Normal with 19 Scientists with "Beam Weapons" credit | Engineer: Laser Sniper Rifle, Scatter Laser |
| Heavy Lasers | Our early experiments with oversized coolant coils and double lensing have shown the potential to greatly increase the firing rate of our laser weaponry. We may be able to use these advances in the development of ship-based cannons for our Interceptors as well. | Research: Beam Weapons | 5 Alloys 5 Weapon Fragments |
5 Days on Normal with 19 Scientists with "Beam Weapons" credit | Engineer: Heavy Laser, Laser Cannon Foundry: SHIV Laser |
| Plasma Pistol | Our understanding of plasma-based weaponry comes entirely from the alien materials recovered so far. The intact plasma-generating weapon recovered from the field has provided some incredible insights, and it's quite possible we could create a version suited for our... | Research: Weapon Fragments Salvage: Plasma Pistol |
5 Elerium 1 Plasma Pistol 40 Weapon Fragments |
16 Days on Normal with 22 Scientists | Engineer: Plasma Pistol Foundry: Improved Pistol III |
| Light Plasma Rifle | This carbine-style weapon is capable of generating a direct, superheated charge of plasma - an intriguing and dangerous prospect. Further research could allow this technology to work in our favor. | Research: Weapon Fragments Salvage: Light Plasma Rifle |
5 Elerium 1 Light Plasma Rifle 40 Weapon Fragments |
18 Days on Normal with 22 Scientists | Engineer: Light Plasma Rifle Research: Plasma Rifle, Plasma Cannon |
| Plasma Rifle | An amazing piece of technology - this rifle maintains a seemingly normal form factor while containing a fully functional plasma generator. Even the most modern of our current power generation facilities are less efficient than this small device. | Research: Light Plasma Rifle | 10 Elerium 10 Alloys 40 Weapon Fragments |
Engineer: Plasma Rifle Research: Heavy Plasma, Plasma Sniper Rifle, Alloy Shotgun | |
| Plasma Sniper | Our continued research into the alien's plasma weaponry has finally uncovered a fault in the design - the plasma bolt itself begins to dissipate at extreme ranges. We have several theories as to how this issue might be overcome, and if successful, the result would be a sniper rifle of unparalleled power. | Research: Plasma Rifle | 10 Elerium 10 Alloys 50 Weapon Fragments |
(N+22) "Normal (7d)" | Engineer: Plasma Sniper |
| Heavy Plasma | Despite a number of impressive advances, we are still in awe of the alien's mastery of plasma based weapons. This particular configuration seems to contain an even more complex magnetic plasma containment chamber, allowing for nearly continuous projection of plasma blasts. | Research: Plasma Rifle | 10 Elerium 10 Alloys 40 Weapon Fragments |
Engineer: Heavy Plasma Foundry: SHIV Plasma | |
| Alloy Cannon | The density of the alien alloys we've been studying has precluded their use as ammunition; all of our experiments have resulted in the destruction of the weapon itself during our firing tests, as the alloys tear the barrel apart. However, we've devised a way to break the alloy into micro-shards, and using the magnetic containment field derived from the alien plasma weapons should allow for their safe discharge. | Research: Plasma Rifle | 5 Elerium 25 Alloys 40 Weapon Fragments |
(N+22) "Slow (14d)" | Engineer: Alloy Cannon |
| Guided Fusion Launcher | Using what we've learned from the advanced weaponry found aboard the larger UFO, we should be able to prototype a new projectile launcher with a uniquely powerful explosive shell. | Salvage: Fusion Core | 10 Elerium 20 Alloys 75 Weapon Fragments |
Engineer: Guided Fusion Launcher |
Uncategorised
| Project | Description | Prerequisite | Cost | Speed (Diff. + Scientists) |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xeno-Biology | If we must face the invaders in combat, then we must understand 'alien life' as well as we do our own. | None | 4 Sectoid Corpses | Normal (4 days) (C+5) Normal (8d) |
Facility: Alien Containment Research: Arc Thrower |
| Experimental Warfare | Although our understanding of the alien technology is still limited, what we've seen so far is enough to revolutionize combat as we know it. If we are to level the playing field, we must adapt the alien technology for our own use. | Research: Alien Materials or Weapon Fragments | None | (C+5) Slow (12d) | Facility: The Foundry Engineer: Phoenix Cannon |
| Elerium | Our initial observations of this element indicate that it is used by the aliens to generate anti-matter energy when bombarded with certain particles - providing them with a nearly inexhaustible source of power generation. | Research: UFO Power Source | 10 Elerium | Unknown | Research: Titan Armor Foundry: Improved Arc Thrower |
Research Credits
Research credits are obtained by interrogating live aliens. Each one reduces the time to complete associated projects by 50%. List of research credits (incomplete).
| Credit Name | Applies to | Interrogated Alien |
|---|---|---|
| Beam Weapons | Foundry: S.C.O.P.E. Upgrade, S.H.I.V. Laser, Ammo Conservation, Research: Beam Weapons, Precision Lasers, Heavy Lasers |
Sectoid |
| Plasma Weaponry | Research: Plasma Pistol, Light Plasma Rifle, ? | Muton |
| Basic Armor Technology | Research: Carapace Armor, Skeleton Suit | Floater |
| Armor Technology | Titan Armor | Berserker |
| UFO Technology | Alien Nav Computer, UFO Power Source,? | Thin man |
| Psionics | ? | Sectoid Commander |
| Weapons Technology | 25% Bonus on all weapon research (on top of any other bonus) | Muton Elite |
| Flight | Research: ? (Enhance the flight characteristics and propulsion systems of our aircraft) | Heavy Floater |
| All Technology | All? | Ethereal |