Research toward a useful unlock.
Skie Field Manual · Evidence reviewed 9 November 2026. Read the linked reference for formulas, sources and version limits; current account settings remain the final check.

This guide covers:
- Trace prerequisites backward from a goal.
- Separate unlocks from incremental improvements.
- Schedule research around the rest of the account.

Start with a capability

Start from a capability you will use or recurring income you can measure. Include every missing building and technology prerequisite. The reference compares Plasma, Astrophysics, drives, cargo and other research by their actual effects.

Details and worked examples
https://theilluminate92.github.io/skie-guides/guide-research-reference.html#goal

Classify the benefit

Classic research applies across the account. Lifeform technology levels are local investments whose applicable active bonuses can contribute account-wide. Unlocks, capacity, efficiency and prerequisites answer different needs; a classic research queue does not create parallel research.

Details and worked examples
https://theilluminate92.github.io/skie-guides/guide-research-reference.html#types

Research costs and prerequisites

Price the whole chain and reserve the resources for the next usable result. Extra fleet or expedition capacity earns nothing when you cannot fund or operate it. Compare the full completion date, not an isolated technology timer.

Details and worked examples
https://theilluminate92.github.io/skie-guides/guide-research-reference.html#plan

Buy time deliberately

Laboratory investment pays in time saved on a research program you can fund. Intergalactic Research Network combines eligible labs, not every lab automatically. Use the published total research-speed multiplier once rather than multiplying economy speed twice.

Details and worked examples
https://theilluminate92.github.io/skie-guides/guide-research-reference.html#lab

Test the unlocked capability

Confirm the new capability and revise affected plans after research finishes. Drive upgrades can change fleetsave times; capacity needs ships and attention; production improvements need a like-for-like comparison. Reassess the next bottleneck instead of buying another level by habit.

Details and worked examples
https://theilluminate92.github.io/skie-guides/guide-research-reference.html#validate

Detailed reference

Astrophysics thresholds and prices, Plasma returns, and eligible laboratory networks.

The recurring benefits worth comparing
https://theilluminate92.github.io/skie-guides/guide-research-reference.html#the-recurring-benefits-worth-comparing

Astrophysics: buy the next threshold
https://theilluminate92.github.io/skie-guides/guide-research-reference.html#astrophysics-buy-the-next-threshold

Plasma: the percentage is of the base
https://theilluminate92.github.io/skie-guides/guide-research-reference.html#plasma-the-percentage-is-of-the-base

Laboratories and IRN: eligibility matters
https://theilluminate92.github.io/skie-guides/guide-research-reference.html#laboratories-and-irn-eligibility-matters

Time saved is valuable only when the program uses it
https://theilluminate92.github.io/skie-guides/guide-research-reference.html#time-saved-is-valuable-only-when-the-program-uses-it

Quick checks:
- The target is a usable capability.
- Every prerequisite is accounted for.
- Lab preparation is included in the schedule.
- Resources remain to use the unlock.
- Any changed flight times have been rechecked.

Sources:
Research tutorial · official forum archive, 2019; check current prerequisites
https://board.en.ogame.gameforge.com/index.php?thread/813419-tutorial-04-research/=

Lifeforms FAQ · contrast with normal research
https://forum.origin.ogame.gameforge.com/forum/thread/153-lifeforms-faq/

Skie v1.6.1 · reviewed 2026-11-09