When you first crashland, you’re allotted a handful of supplies, perhaps a few colonists (depending on your scenario), and likely a pet to keep you company. However, this is not enough to survive RimWorld long-term. To build a thriving base, you must learn how to research in RimWorld, unlocking new technologies that make life easier!
How to Research in RimWorld
To research new technology in RimWorld, you must first craft a Simple Research Bench. This early-game research tool is necessary to unlock additional technologies that allow you to construct or craft new items. A bench will cost you:
- 75 Wood
- 25 Steel
It’s pretty affordable! Once you place down your Simple Research Bench, you’ll unlock the research tree found on the bottom row of your HUD. If you’re playing vanilla, then it says ‘Research.’ You’ll note mine in the screenshot below is a partially filled beaker due to a HUD mod. Once you select it, it’ll open a tech tree that looks something like this:
You can select any of the available research projects, and you’ll receive some information on the left-hand side. You can view the project’s prerequisites, what it unlocks, and the number of research points necessary to complete it there. You’ll generate research points towards a project by having one of your colonists work at the Simple Research Bench.
The time it takes to complete a research project varies depending on a few factors, such as:
- A colonist’s research speed stat.
- The type of research bench in use.
- The room’s overall temperature.
- Whether the bench is outdoors or indoors.
- The overall cleanliness of the room.
Eventually, as you progress deeper into the research tree, you’ll unlock the Hi-Tech Research Bench, which unlocks additional research projects. It’s more advanced and costs more resources to construct, but it will allow you to compete with many of the game’s factions.
Related: How to Get More Colonists in RimWorld
What to Research First in RimWorld
The research projects you tackle first in RimWorld vary depending on your starting scenario. For most, those who choose the Crashlanded scenario, the ideal research path is:
- Battery
- Solar Panels
- Microelectronics
- Multi-Analyzer
- Fabrication
For a tribal start, shoot for:
- Electricity
- Air Conditioning
- Complex Clothing
- Smithing
- Machinery
- Microelectronics
A tribal start may prove more challenging to new players in RimWorld, as most tribal pawns don’t have fantastic starting stats. It makes research challenging and slow.
The Guide Hall thrives in RimWorld thanks to countless hundreds of hours of experience in the game. We’ll help you through your colony’s most challenging spots with new guides coming soon!