Research (Long War)

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Autopsies now require multiple corpse specimens (so, 1: you cannot 'double-dip', and 2: do not worry if you cannot go for a capture on an alien's first appearance), and are a prerequisite before you can do an interrogation on that species (when applicable). In addition, some later species have other prerequisites that need to be completed beforehand (such as the Mechtoid Autopsy now needing both Sectoid Autopsy and Alien Biocybernetics to be completed before it's unlocked). Also note that South America's bonus has been changed to a Power-related reduction; you'll naturally be poking aliens with pointy implements for much longer times.

Interrogations still have the Alien Containment/Arc Thrower prereq--- and it's highly advisable to keep both, and to continue to capture aliens when the opportunity presents itself, as captured aliens are very valuable Council Requests, on top of the continued collection of alien weaponry. Research Credits are also a prime time-saver:

• Sectoid: Cybernetics
• Thin Man: Laser Weaponry
• Floater: Aerospace
• Muton: Gauss Weaponry
• Berserker: Armor
• Heavy Floater: Plasma Weaponry
• Sectoid Commander: Psionics
• Muton Elite: All Weapons
• Ethereal: All Tech

Because projects have much longer research times and there are far more projects, research is in general a more time-consuming affair. On the plus side: with far more aliens to kill, you'll rarely be out of Weapon Fragments.

Alien Research

The alien forces will also conduct their own R&D, enhancing their armaments and soldiers to compete with yours. Their progression is (roughly) based on the same principles of time and artifacts. Alien research will advance:

• A meager amount for UFOs that are let go with significant damage
• Small amount for UFOs let go unimpeded
• Medium amount for most alien missions left unimpeded
• And a significant amount for any UFOs that're specifically on Research missions, as revealable by the Hyperwave Uplink, if you do not take it out in-flight or by assault
• They will also receive bonus progression for any missions they win (ie: you lose or abort), proportional to corpses and 'captures' (KIAs, and MIAs from soldiers abandoned during an aborted mission)

In effect: as long as the last one standing is an XCOM soldier, you'll be able to restrict the alien's progression.

Long War Tech Tree