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I find myself constantly wishing I had some idea what the research tree looked like. For example, if I want to unlock plasma weapons, do I have to go down the laser weapon path first to unlock it, or am I going in completely in the wrong direction?If I want to get a satellite nexus, what do I need for it? How do I get this stealth armor I've heard about?

I have so many questions like this, and some sort of research tree with related manufacturing items would be of immense help.

Sterno
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  • I did just find this article which presents the research information and then some. Less tree-like than I thought, with much research dependent on just finding certain materials. Haven't stuck it in an answer yet though because I hate just leaving a link, but I also don't want to do a straight up copy & paste. There's got to be a better way of presenting this information. – Sterno Oct 12 '12 at 17:46
  • best way is to make a flow diagram if possible. could be messy though... nice find however – l I Oct 12 '12 at 18:21

2 Answers2

58

Here's a chart, with neat colors: current version 2.2

(Click to expand)

Previous versions:

This is only from a couple of sources, (here and here) so it could probably use some verification. Reddit provided some input as well. Feedback is welcome.

agent86
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  • There is an error in version 2.1 - Weapon Fragements or Alien Materials is a prereq to "experitmental warfare". Beam weapons unlocks "Laser Pistol (g) and Laser Rifle (g) – Laurence Oct 29 '12 at 05:43
  • also - there is some 'prereuq' to Beam Weapons - but I'm not sure what it is yet. I started a new game on 'easy', researched ONLY Weapon Fragments, and I was not able to get Beam Weapons. I then researched Alloys and Experimental Warfare - and I was still not able to research Beam Weapons... – Laurence Oct 29 '12 at 06:14
  • for "Beam weapons" - I just did a small 'downed' ufo ship - and that unlocked beam weapons – Laurence Oct 29 '12 at 06:30
  • Yeah, several (or all) techs seem require you get to a certain point in the game - I didn't get Carapace Armour unlocked for research until I'd seen an Outsider (this may be a coincidence). – therefromhere Nov 03 '12 at 21:26
  • Carapace Armor's unlocked pretty early. I think the "Downed UFO" is a key event, although it's a bit hard to determine what exactly it gates. – agent86 Nov 03 '12 at 22:29
  • @agent86 Alloys. As soon as you have them, Beam Weapons become available after Weapon Fragments. Carapace Armor is the same boat. – Raven Dreamer Nov 11 '12 at 19:17
34

Here is an alternative research tree that you might find userful

http://www.xdude.com/images/xcom-enemy-unknown-2012-tech-tree-research-chart.png

enter image description here

Zommuter
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Laurence
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  • Agent86's was very good and much appreciated, but I'm moving the accepted answer to this one because I think it better captures some of the other in-game requirements. – Sterno Nov 26 '12 at 23:41