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{{Header Nav|game=Master of Orion II}}
{{Header Nav|game=Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares}}
==How research really works==
{{floatingtoc}}
The previous pages presented research costs as if they were exact and always the same. It's more complicated than that, although no-one seems to have worked out the exact details. The best available information is:
;How research really works
*At first the game states an estimated number of turns in the Research Status box on the bottom right corner of the Galaxy Screen.
The previous pages presented research costs as if they were exact and always the same. It's more complicated than that.
*When you've invested a very high percentage of the stated RP cost, the game displays in the Research Status box a % chance of completing research on the next turn as well as its estimate of the number of turns remaining, assuming you maintain the same rate of research.
*Each research level has a set base cost, as shown previously and displayed in the game.
*When the Research Status box says "100%", some players move all scientists into some other job, so that the only continuing research investment is what the buildings produce on their own, and these players think this causes no delay or at most 1 additional turn.<br />You could try this (at your own risk). If your race is Tolerant, you could make your ex-scientists produce Trade Goods - you'll need the money some time, possibly to finance an invasion campaign. If not Tolerant, it makes no sense to move all your scientists into industrial production as a lot of it will be wasted by pollution. Research colonies tend to have high populations, so Housing is not efficient there. Farming looks like  the best general alternative, as the surplus food will increase your income.
*After the base cost has been paid, additional research points increase the chance of a "breakthrough", which causes the technology to actually be researched.
*The game displays its estimate of the number of turns until a breakthrough in the research status box.  This number can be high or low, as the exact timing is random.  Once the base cost is paid (and the research window displays 0 RP required), the percentage chance of a breakthrough on the next turn is also displayed in the research status box.  Note that this percentage includes the current turn's research, so may be altered by adjusting the amount of RP produced.
*Once the base cost has been paid twice (e.g. Advanced Engineering after 160 RP), including the current turn's RP, the technology is guaranteed to be researched on the next turn.  At this point, the Research Status box will display 100%.  It's not clear whether this number can be rounded up to 100%, so there may be a small chance that the research doesn't complete when 100% is displayed, as the total RP may be just short of twice the base cost.
*When you begin researching a technology, the game will always estimate at least two turns of research, even if you have enough RP to guarantee an immediate breakthrough.
*When 100% is displayed, you can safely transfer scientists to other jobs, provided the probability does not drop below 100%.  You may wish to leave one extra scientist, in case rounding has occurred.
*A better method is to use more expensive technology to determine how many RP have been spent, and calculate the exact number necessary to guarantee a breakthrough.  If you are researching Artificial Life, you need to spend 9000 RP total (4500 base cost, x2).  If you also have access to Temporal Physics (15000 RP) and it displays a cost of 7520 RP, you know that you have spent 7480 RP (15000 - 7520), and that you need to spend another 1520 RP (9000 - 7480) this turn to guarantee research.  Any excess RP is completely wasted.
*If immediate research is not necessary, scientists may be transferred to other jobs as soon as the breakthrough chance reaches an acceptable value.  If you have a 50% chance of breakthrough this turn and do not get it, you will still have at least a 50% chance of breakthrough next turn, even if you generate 0 RP. You therefore have an 87.5% chance of a breakthrough in the next three turns (and over 99.9% in the next ten turns) with no additional RP investment.
 
The value of scientists in other jobs depends on circumstances. If your race is Tolerant or the colony contains production buildings, you could make your ex-scientists produce Trade Goods - you'll need the money some time, possibly to finance an invasion campaign. Otherwise, it may not be useful to move all your scientists into industrial production as a lot of it will be wasted by pollution. Research colonies tend to have high populations, so Housing is not efficient there, but may still be useful if it produces an extra citizen. Farming may be the best general alternative, as the surplus food will increase your income, and may allow you to reassign farmers to production on other planets.
 
In any case, however, reclaimed >100% scientists represent free effort, provided you remember to put them back to work after the breakthrough.


==Summary of techs and research costs==
==Summary of techs and research costs==
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*The most usual choice(s) for non-Creative empires.
*The most usual choice(s) for non-Creative empires.
*Number of RPs needed to research each level.
*Number of RPs needed to research each level.
*Cumulative number of RPs needed to research each level ''from a Pre-Warp start''. This will show how many RPS in total you need in order to get from your current position to some tech you really want - subtract the desired tech's cumulative RPs from your current level's cumulative RPs; then you compare the result with your current research output (bottom right of the Galaxy map and Colony List screens). You may then decide to research and build some more research buildings first.
*Cumulative number of RPs needed to research each level ''from a Pre-Warp start''. This will show how many RPs in total you need in order to get from your current position to some tech you really want - subtract the desired tech's cumulative RPs from your current level's cumulative RPs; then you compare the result with your current research output (bottom right of the Galaxy map and Colony List screens). You may then decide to research and build some more research buildings first.


Remember that the "Usual non-Creative choices" ''are only a guide'':
Remember that the "Usual non-Creative choices" ''are only a guide'':
*Choices you make in other tech subjects may makes other choices useful.
*Choices you make in other tech subjects may make other choices useful.
*You ''must'' adapt to what your opponents are doing.
*You ''must'' adapt to what your opponents are doing.


===[[Master of Orion II/Engineering|Engineering]]===
===[[../Engineering|Engineering]]===
{{-}}
{| {{prettytable }}
{| {{prettytable }}
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
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| 1150 || 3580 || Astro Construction || Titan Construction<br />Ground Batteries<br />Battleoids || Titan Construction<br />Ground Batteries
| 1150 || 3580 || Astro Construction || Titan Construction<br />Ground Batteries<br />Battleoids || Titan Construction<br />Ground Batteries
|-
|-
| 1500 || 5080 || Advanced Manufacturing || Recyclotron<br />Automated Repair Unit<br />Artificial Planet Construction || Recyclotron<br />(Cybernetic races:)Automated Repair Unit
| 1500 || 5080 || Advanced Manufacturing || Recyclotron<br />Automated Repair Unit<br />Artificial Planet Construction || Automated Repair Unit<br />Recyclotron (Cybernetic races)
|-
|-
| 2000 || 7080 || Advanced Robotics || Robotic Factory<br />Bomber Bays || (neither is particularly impressive)
| 2000 || 7080 || Advanced Robotics || Robotic Factory<br />Bomber Bays || Robotic Factory
|-
|-
| 3500 || 10580 || Tectonic Engineering || Deep Core Mine<br />Core Waste Dump || (Tolerant:)Deep Core Mine<br />(other races:) either, depends on situation
| 3500 || 10580 || Tectonic Engineering || Deep Core Mine<br />Core Waste Dump || Deep Core Mine
|-
|-
| 6000 || 16580 || Superscalar Construction || Star Fortress<br />Advanced City Planning<br />Heavy Fighters || Advanced City Planning
| 6000 || 16580 || Superscalar Construction || Star Fortress<br />Advanced City Planning<br />Heavy Fighters || Advanced City Planning
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|}
|}


===[[Master of Orion II/Power|Power]]===
===[[../Power|Power]]===
{{-}}
{| {{prettytable }}
{| {{prettytable }}
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
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| 80 || 130 || Cold Fusion || Colony Ship<br />Outpost Ship<br />Transport || This is a "general" tech level - even Uncreatives get all the techs.
| 80 || 130 || Cold Fusion || Colony Ship<br />Outpost Ship<br />Transport || This is a "general" tech level - even Uncreatives get all the techs.
|-
|-
| 250 || 380 || Advanced Fusion || Fusion Drive<br />Fusion Bomb<br />Augmented Engines || Augmented Engines
| 250 || 380 || Advanced Fusion || Fusion Drive<br />Fusion Bomb<br />Augmented Engines || Depends on your strategy.
|-
|-
| 900 || 1280 || Ion Fission || Ion Drive<br />Ion Pulse Cannon<br />Shield Capacitor || Ion Drive<br />Shield Capacitor  
| 900 || 1280 || Ion Fission || Ion Drive<br />Ion Pulse Cannon<br />Shield Capacitor || Ion Drive<br />Shield Capacitor  
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| 2750 || 6030 || Matter-Energy Conversion || Transporters<br />Food Replicators || Transporters
| 2750 || 6030 || Matter-Energy Conversion || Transporters<br />Food Replicators || Transporters
|-
|-
| 3500 || 9530 || High Energy Distribution || High Energy Focus<br />Energy Absorber<br />Megafluxers || (if using beams:) High Energy Focus<br />(otherwise:) Megafluxers
| 3500 || 9530 || High Energy Distribution || High Energy Focus<br />Energy Absorber<br />Megafluxers ||High Energy Focus (beam weapons)<br />Megafluxers
|-
|-
| 4500 || 14030 || Hyper-Dimensional Fission || Proton Torpedo<br />Hyper Drive<br />Hyper-X Capacitors || (if using beams:) Hyper-X Capacitors<br />(otherwise:) Proton Torpedo
| 4500 || 14030 || Hyper-Dimensional Fission || Proton Torpedo<br />Hyper Drive<br />Hyper-X Capacitors || Depends on your strategy.
|-
|-
| 10000 || 24030 || Interphased Fission || (if using beams:) Interphased Drive<br />(otherwise:) Plasma Torpedo<br />Neutronium Bomb || Interphased Drive<br />Plasma Torpedo
| 10000 || 24030 || Interphased Fission || Interphased Drive<br />Plasma Torpedo<br />Neutronium Bomb || Interphased Drive (beam weapons)<br />Plasma Torpedo
|}
|}


===[[Master of Orion II/Chemistry|Chemistry]]===
===[[../Chemistry|Chemistry]]===
{{-}}
{| {{prettytable }}
{| {{prettytable }}
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
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| 50 || 50 || Chemistry || Nuclear Missile<br />Standard Fuel Cells<br />Extended Fuel Tanks<br />Titanium Armor || This is a "general" tech level - even Uncreatives get all the techs.
| 50 || 50 || Chemistry || Nuclear Missile<br />Standard Fuel Cells<br />Extended Fuel Tanks<br />Titanium Armor || This is a "general" tech level - even Uncreatives get all the techs.
|-
|-
| 250 || 300 || Advanced Metallurgy || Deuterium Fuel Cells<br />Tritanium Armor || (Tolerant races:)Tritanium Armor<br />(others:) Deuterium Fuel Cells
| 250 || 300 || Advanced Metallurgy || Deuterium Fuel Cells<br />Tritanium Armor || Depends on the map.
|-
|-
| 650 || 950 || Advanced Chemistry || Merculite Missile<br />Pollution Processor || Merculite Missile
| 650 || 950 || Advanced Chemistry || Merculite Missile<br />Pollution Processor || Depends on your strategy.
|-
|-
| 1150 || 2100 || Molecular Compression || Pulson Missile<br />Atmospheric Renewer<br />Iridium Fuel Cells || (Tolerant races:)Iridium Fuel Cells<br />(others:) Atmospheric Renewer
| 1150 || 2100 || Molecular Compression || Pulson Missile<br />Atmospheric Renewer<br />Iridium Fuel Cells || Iridium Fuel Cells (Tolerant races)<br />Atmospheric Renewer (all else)
|-
|-
| 2000 || 4100 || Nano Technology || Nano Disassemblers<br />Microlite Construction<br />Zortrium Armor || Zortrium Armor
| 2000 || 4100 || Nano Technology || Nano Disassemblers<br />Microlite Construction<br />Zortrium Armor || Zortrium Armor
|-
|-
| 4500 || 8600 || Molecular Manipulation || Zeon Missile<br />Neutronium Armor<br />Uridium Fuel Cells || Zeon Missile
| 4500 || 8600 || Molecular Manipulation || Zeon Missile<br />Neutronium Armor<br />Uridium Fuel Cells || Depends on your strategy.
|-
|-
| 10000 || 18600 || Molecular Control || Thorium Fuel Cells<br />Adamantium Armor || Adamantium Armor
| 10000 || 18600 || Molecular Control || Thorium Fuel Cells<br />Adamantium Armor || Adamantium Armor
|}
|}


===[[Master of Orion II/Sociology|Sociology]]===
===[[../Sociology|Sociology]]===
{{-}}
{| {{prettytable }}
{| {{prettytable }}
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
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| 2000 || 3950 || Teaching Methods || Astro University || Astro University
| 2000 || 3950 || Teaching Methods || Astro University || Astro University
|-
|-
| 4500 || 8450 || Advanced Government || colspan="2" | The advanced version of your government
| 4500 || 8450 || Advanced Government || Confederation<br />Imperium<br />Federation<br />Galactic Unification || Confederation<br />Imperium<br />Federation<br />Galactic Unification
|-
|-
| 6000 || 14450 || Galactic Economics || Galactic Currency Exchange || Galactic Currency Exchange
| 6000 || 14450 || Galactic Economics || Galactic Currency Exchange || Galactic Currency Exchange
|}
|}


===[[Master of Orion II/Computers|Computers]]===
===[[../Computers|Computers]]===
{{-}}
{| {{prettytable }}
{| {{prettytable }}
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
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| 900 || 1500 || Positronics || Positronic Computer<br />Supercomputer<br />Holo Simulator || Supercomputer
| 900 || 1500 || Positronics || Positronic Computer<br />Supercomputer<br />Holo Simulator || Supercomputer
|-
|-
| 1500 || 3000 || Artificial Consciousness || Emissions Guidance System<br />Rangemaster Targeting Unit<br />Cyber Security Link || Emissions Guidance System<br />(Democracies:) Cyber Security Link
| 1500 || 3000 || Artificial Consciousness || Emissions Guidance System<br />Rangemaster Targeting Unit<br />Cyber Security Link || Emissions Guidance System<br />Cyber Security Link (Democracies)
|-
|-
| 2750 || 5750 || Cybertronics || Cybertronic Computer<br />Autolab<br />Structural Analyzer || Autolab<br />Cybertronic Computer
| 2750 || 5750 || Cybertronics || Cybertronic Computer<br />Autolab<br />Structural Analyzer || Autolab
|-
|-
| 3500 || 9250 || Cybertechnics || Android Farmers<br />Android Workers<br />Android Scientists || (production races:) Android Scientists<br />(research races:) Android Workers
| 3500 || 9250 || Cybertechnics || Android Farmers<br />Android Workers<br />Android Scientists || Android Scientists (production races)<br />Android Workers (research races)
|-
|-
| 4500 || 13750 || Galactic Networking || Virtual Reality Network<br />Galactic Cybernet || Galactic Cybernet
| 4500 || 13750 || Galactic Networking || Virtual Reality Network<br />Galactic Cybernet || Virtual Reality Network (non-Unification races)<br />Galactic Cybernet (Unification races)
|-
|-
| 6000 || 19750 || Moleculartronics || Pleasure Dome<br />Moleculartronic Computer<br />Achilles Targeting Unit || not sure
| 6000 || 19750 || Moleculartronics || Pleasure Dome<br />Moleculartronic Computer<br />Achilles Targeting Unit || Achilles Targeting Unit
|}
|}


===[[Master of Orion II/Biology | Biology]]===
===[[../Biology | Biology]]===
{{-}}
{| {{prettytable }}
{| {{prettytable }}
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
|-
|-
| 80 || 80 || Astro Biology || Hydroponic Farm<br />Biospheres || Biospheres
| 80 || 80 || Astro Biology || Hydroponic Farm<br />Biospheres || Depends on the map.
|-
|-
| 400 || 480 || Advanced Biology || Cloning Center<br />Soil Enrichment<br />Death Spores || (Lithovores:) Cloning Center<br />(poor farming:) Soil Enrichment<br />(otherwise:)Cloning Center
| 400 || 480 || Advanced Biology || Cloning Center<br />Soil Enrichment<br />Death Spores || Cloning Center (Lithovores)<br />Soil Enrichment (poor farming)<br />Cloning Center (all else)
|-
|-
| 900 || 1380 || Genetic Engineering || Telepathic Training<br />Microbiotics || (have pop growth bonus:) Telepathic Training<br />(Democracies:) Telepathic Training<br />(have counter-intelligence bonus:) Microbiotics<br />(have pop capacity bonus:) Microbiotics
| 900 || 1380 || Genetic Engineering || Telepathic Training<br />Microbiotics || Telepathic Training (if you have population growth bonus)<br />Telepathic Training (Democracies)<br />Microbiotics (if you have counter-intelligence bonus)<br />Microbiotics (if you have population capacity bonus)
|-
|-
| 1150 || 2530 || Genetic Mutations || Terraforming || Terraforming
| 1150 || 2530 || Genetic Mutations || Terraforming || Terraforming
|-
|-
| 1500 || 4030 || Macro Genetics || Subterranean Farms<br />Weather Controller || Weather Controller
| 1500 || 4030 || Macro Genetics || Subterranean Farms<br />Weather Controller || Depends on the map.
|-
|-
| 2750 || 6780 || Evolutionary Genetics || Psionics<br />Heightened Intelligence || (Democracies, Dictatorships:) Psionics<br />(Unification:) Heightened Intelligence<br />(Feudal:) depends on mix of population
| 2750 || 6780 || Evolutionary Genetics || Psionics<br />Heightened Intelligence || Psionics (Democracies, Dictatorships)<br />Heightened Intelligence (Unification)<br />Depends on the mix of population (Feudal).
|-
|-
| 4500 || 11280 || Artificial Life || Bio Terminator<br />Universal Antidote || Universal Antidote
| 4500 || 11280 || Artificial Life || Bio Terminator<br />Universal Antidote || Universal Antidote
|-
|-
| 7500 || 18780 || Trans Genetics || Biomorphic Fungi<br />Gaia Transformation<br />Evolutionary Mutation || not sure
| 7500 || 18780 || Trans Genetics || Biomorphic Fungi<br />Gaia Transformation<br />Evolutionary Mutation || Evolutionary Mutation
|}
|}


===[[Master of Orion II/Physics|Physics]]===
===[[../Physics|Physics]]===
{{-}}
{| {{prettytable }}
{| {{prettytable }}
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
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| 50 || 50 || Physics || Laser Cannon<br />Laser Rifle<br />Space Scanner || This is a "general" tech level - even Uncreatives get all the techs.
| 50 || 50 || Physics || Laser Cannon<br />Laser Rifle<br />Space Scanner || This is a "general" tech level - even Uncreatives get all the techs.
|-
|-
| 150 || 200 || Fusion Physics || Fusion Beam<br />Fusion Rifle || Fusion Beam
| 150 || 200 || Fusion Physics || Fusion Beam<br />Fusion Rifle || Depends on your strategy.
|-
|-
| 250 || 450 || Tachyon Physics || Tachyon Communications<br />Tachyon Scanner<br />Battle Scanner || (use beam weapons:) Battle Scanner<br />Tachyon Communications
| 250 || 450 || Tachyon Physics || Tachyon Communications<br />Tachyon Scanner<br />Battle Scanner || Battle Scanner (beam weapons)<br />Tachyon Communications
|-
|-
| 900 || 1350 || Neutrino Physics || Neutron Blaster<br />Neutron Scanner || Neutron Scanner
| 900 || 1350 || Neutrino Physics || Neutron Blaster<br />Neutron Scanner || Neutron Blaster (beam weapons)<br />Neutron Scanner
|-
|-
| 1150 || 2500 || Artificial Gravity || Tractor Beam<br />Graviton Beam<br />Gravity Generator || (High-G race:) probably Gravity Generator, otherwise Graviton Beam<br />(others:) Gravity Generator
| 1150 || 2500 || Artificial Gravity || Tractor Beam<br />Graviton Beam<br />Gravity Generator || Depends on your strategy.
|-
|-
| 1500 || 4000 || Subspace Physics || Subspace Communications<br />Jump Gate || Subspace Communications
| 1500 || 4000 || Subspace Physics || Subspace Communications<br />Jump Gate || Subspace Communications
|-
|-
| 2000 || 6000 || Multi-Phased Physics || Phasors<br />Phasor Rifle<br />Multi-Phased Shields || Phasors
| 2000 || 6000 || Multi-Phased Physics || Phasors<br />Phasor Rifle<br />Multi-Phased Shields || Depends on your strategy.
|-
|-
| 3500 || 9500 || Plasma Physics || Plasma Cannon<br />Plasma Rifle<br />Plasma Web || Plasma Rifle
| 3500 || 9500 || Plasma Physics || Plasma Cannon<br />Plasma Rifle<br />Plasma Web || Depends on your strategy.
|-
|-
| 4500 || 14000 || Multi-Dimensional Physics || Disruptor Cannon<br />Dimensional Portal || (attack Antarans:)Dimensional Portal<br />(otherwise:)Disruptor Cannon
| 4500 || 14000 || Multi-Dimensional Physics || Disruptor Cannon<br />Dimensional Portal || (attack Antarans:)Dimensional Portal<br />(otherwise:)Disruptor Cannon
|-
|-
| 6000 || 20000 || Hyper-Dimensional Physics || Hyperspace Communications<br />Mauler Device || not sure
| 6000 || 20000 || Hyper-Dimensional Physics || Hyperspace Communications<br />Mauler Device<br />Sensors || Depends on your strategy.
|-
|-
| 15000 || 35000 || Temporal Physics || Time Warp Facilitator<br />Stellar Converter<br />Star Gate || not sure
| 15000 || 35000 || Temporal Physics || Time Warp Facilitator<br />Stellar Converter<br />Star Gate || Time Warp Facilitator
|}
|}


===[[Master of Orion II/Force Fields|Force Fields]]===
===[[../Force Fields|Force Fields]]===
{{-}}
{| {{prettytable }}
{| {{prettytable }}
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
! RPs!! Cumul RPs !! Level name !! Technologies !! Usual non-Creative choices
|-
|-
| 250 || 250 || Advanced Magnetism || Class I Shield<br />Mass Driver<br />ECM Jammer || ECM Jammer
| 250 || 250 || Advanced Magnetism || Class I Shield<br />Mass Driver<br />ECM Jammer || Depends on your strategy. <br />ECM Jammer
|-
|-
| 650 || 900 || Gravitic Fields || Anti-Grav Harness<br />Inertial Stabilizer<br />Gyro Destabilizer || Inertial Stabilizer
| 650 || 900 || Gravitic Fields || Anti-Grav Harness<br />Inertial Stabilizer<br />Gyro Destabilizer || Inertial Stabilizer
|-
|-
| 900 || 1800 || Magneto Gravitics || Class III Shield<br />Radiation Shield<br />Warp Dissipater || probably Radiation Shield
| 900 || 1800 || Magneto Gravitics || Class III Shield<br />Radiation Shield<br />Warp Dissipater || Class III Shield
|-
|-
| 1500 || 3300 || Electromagnetic Refraction || Stealth Field<br />Personal Shield<br />Stealth Suit || (Democracy:) Stealth Suit<br />(others:) Personal Shield
| 1500 || 3300 || Electromagnetic Refraction || Stealth Field<br />Personal Shield<br />Stealth Suit || Personal Shield (Ground fighters)<br />Stealth Suit (all else)
|-
|-
| 2000 || 5300 || Warp Fields || Pulsar<br />Warp Interdictor<br />Lightning Field || (if allowed:) Warp Interdictor<br /> (otherwise:) Lightning Field
| 2000 || 5300 || Warp Fields || Pulsar<br />Warp Interdictor<br />Lightning Field || Lightning Field
|-
|-
| 2750 || 8050 || Subspace Fields || Class V Shields<br />Multi-Wave ECM Jammer<br />Gauss Cannon || Class V Shields
| 2750 || 8050 || Subspace Fields || Class V Shields<br />Multi-Wave ECM Jammer<br />Gauss Cannon || Gauss Cannon <br />Class V Shields
|-
|-
| 3500 || 11550 || Distortion Fields || Cloaking Device<br />Stasis Field<br />Hard Shields || probably Hard Shields
| 3500 || 11550 || Distortion Fields || Cloaking Device<br />Stasis Field<br />Hard Shields || Stasis Field<br />Hard Shields
|-
|-
| 4500 || 16050 || Quantum Fields || Class VII Shield<br />Planetary Flux Shield<br />Wide Area Jammer || probably Class VII Shield, otherwise Wide Area Jammer
| 4500 || 16050 || Quantum Fields || Class VII Shield<br />Planetary Flux Shield<br />Wide Area Jammer || Class VII Shield, otherwise Planetary Flux Shield
|-
|-
| 7500 || 23550 || Transwarp Fields || Displacement Device<br />Subspace Teleporter<br />Inertial Nullifier || Subspace Teleporter
| 7500 || 23550 || Transwarp Fields || Displacement Device<br />Subspace Teleporter<br />Inertial Nullifier || Inertial Nullifier<br />Subspace Teleporter
|-
|-
| 15000 || 38550 || Temporal Fields || Class X Shield<br />Planetary Barrier Shield<br />Phasing Cloak || Class X Shield
| 15000 || 38550 || Temporal Fields || Class X Shield<br />Planetary Barrier Shield<br />Phasing Cloak || Phasing Cloak
|}
|}


{{Footer Nav|game=Master of Orion II|prevpage=Exotic technologies|nextpage=Recommended research paths}}
{{Footer Nav|game=Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares|prevpage=Exotic technologies|nextpage=Recommended research paths}}

Latest revision as of 22:16, 23 June 2020

Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares | Table of Contents | Gameplay | Walkthrough

Table of Contents

Gameplay
Race design
Walkthrough
Managing your economy
Technologies
Diplomacy and intelligence
Battle tactics
Calculations
How research really works

The previous pages presented research costs as if they were exact and always the same. It's more complicated than that.

  • Each research level has a set base cost, as shown previously and displayed in the game.
  • After the base cost has been paid, additional research points increase the chance of a "breakthrough", which causes the technology to actually be researched.
  • The game displays its estimate of the number of turns until a breakthrough in the research status box. This number can be high or low, as the exact timing is random. Once the base cost is paid (and the research window displays 0 RP required), the percentage chance of a breakthrough on the next turn is also displayed in the research status box. Note that this percentage includes the current turn's research, so may be altered by adjusting the amount of RP produced.
  • Once the base cost has been paid twice (e.g. Advanced Engineering after 160 RP), including the current turn's RP, the technology is guaranteed to be researched on the next turn. At this point, the Research Status box will display 100%. It's not clear whether this number can be rounded up to 100%, so there may be a small chance that the research doesn't complete when 100% is displayed, as the total RP may be just short of twice the base cost.
  • When you begin researching a technology, the game will always estimate at least two turns of research, even if you have enough RP to guarantee an immediate breakthrough.
  • When 100% is displayed, you can safely transfer scientists to other jobs, provided the probability does not drop below 100%. You may wish to leave one extra scientist, in case rounding has occurred.
  • A better method is to use more expensive technology to determine how many RP have been spent, and calculate the exact number necessary to guarantee a breakthrough. If you are researching Artificial Life, you need to spend 9000 RP total (4500 base cost, x2). If you also have access to Temporal Physics (15000 RP) and it displays a cost of 7520 RP, you know that you have spent 7480 RP (15000 - 7520), and that you need to spend another 1520 RP (9000 - 7480) this turn to guarantee research. Any excess RP is completely wasted.
  • If immediate research is not necessary, scientists may be transferred to other jobs as soon as the breakthrough chance reaches an acceptable value. If you have a 50% chance of breakthrough this turn and do not get it, you will still have at least a 50% chance of breakthrough next turn, even if you generate 0 RP. You therefore have an 87.5% chance of a breakthrough in the next three turns (and over 99.9% in the next ten turns) with no additional RP investment.

The value of scientists in other jobs depends on circumstances. If your race is Tolerant or the colony contains production buildings, you could make your ex-scientists produce Trade Goods - you'll need the money some time, possibly to finance an invasion campaign. Otherwise, it may not be useful to move all your scientists into industrial production as a lot of it will be wasted by pollution. Research colonies tend to have high populations, so Housing is not efficient there, but may still be useful if it produces an extra citizen. Farming may be the best general alternative, as the surplus food will increase your income, and may allow you to reassign farmers to production on other planets.

In any case, however, reclaimed >100% scientists represent free effort, provided you remember to put them back to work after the breakthrough.

Summary of techs and research costs[edit]

Eight pages of tech details is a lot to remember, so this page tries to summarise the most useful points for each level, excluding the starting and Hyper-advanced techs:

  • Name of each tech level (e.g. "Astro Biology").
  • Names of the techs in that level.
  • The most usual choice(s) for non-Creative empires.
  • Number of RPs needed to research each level.
  • Cumulative number of RPs needed to research each level from a Pre-Warp start. This will show how many RPs in total you need in order to get from your current position to some tech you really want - subtract the desired tech's cumulative RPs from your current level's cumulative RPs; then you compare the result with your current research output (bottom right of the Galaxy map and Colony List screens). You may then decide to research and build some more research buildings first.

Remember that the "Usual non-Creative choices" are only a guide:

  • Choices you make in other tech subjects may make other choices useful.
  • You must adapt to what your opponents are doing.

Engineering[edit]

RPs Cumul RPs Level name Technologies Usual non-Creative choices
80 80 Advanced Engineering Anti-Missile Rockets
Fighter Bays
Reinforced Hull		 Reinforced Hull
150 230 Advanced Construction Automated Factory
Missile Base
Heavy Armor		 Automated Factory
250 480 Capsule Construction Battle Pods
Troop Pods
Survival Pods		 Battle Pods
400 880 Astro Engineering Space Port
Armor Barracks
Fighter Garrison		 Space Port
Fighter Garrison
650 1530 Robotics Robo-Miners
Battlestation
Powered Armor		 Robo-Miners
900 2430 Servo Mechanics Fast Missile Racks
Advanced Damage Control
Assault Shuttles		 Advanced Damage Control
Fast Missile Racks
1150 3580 Astro Construction Titan Construction
Ground Batteries
Battleoids		 Titan Construction
Ground Batteries
1500 5080 Advanced Manufacturing Recyclotron
Automated Repair Unit
Artificial Planet Construction		 Automated Repair Unit
Recyclotron (Cybernetic races)
2000 7080 Advanced Robotics Robotic Factory
Bomber Bays		 Robotic Factory
3500 10580 Tectonic Engineering Deep Core Mine
Core Waste Dump		 Deep Core Mine
6000 16580 Superscalar Construction Star Fortress
Advanced City Planning
Heavy Fighters		 Advanced City Planning
7500 24080 Planetoid Construction Doom Star Construction
Artemis System Net		 Doom Star Construction

Power[edit]

RPs Cumul RPs Level name Technologies Usual non-Creative choices
50 50 Nuclear Fission Freighters
Nuclear Drive
Nuclear Bomb		 This is a "general" tech level - even Uncreatives get all the techs.
80 130 Cold Fusion Colony Ship
Outpost Ship
Transport		 This is a "general" tech level - even Uncreatives get all the techs.
250 380 Advanced Fusion Fusion Drive
Fusion Bomb
Augmented Engines		 Depends on your strategy.
900 1280 Ion Fission Ion Drive
Ion Pulse Cannon
Shield Capacitor		 Ion Drive
Shield Capacitor
2000 3280 Anti-Matter Fission Anti-Matter Drive
Anti-Matter Torpedoes
Anti-Matter Bomb		 Anti-Matter Torpedoes
Anti-Matter Drive
2750 6030 Matter-Energy Conversion Transporters
Food Replicators		 Transporters
3500 9530 High Energy Distribution High Energy Focus
Energy Absorber
Megafluxers		 High Energy Focus (beam weapons)
Megafluxers
4500 14030 Hyper-Dimensional Fission Proton Torpedo
Hyper Drive
Hyper-X Capacitors		 Depends on your strategy.
10000 24030 Interphased Fission Interphased Drive
Plasma Torpedo
Neutronium Bomb		 Interphased Drive (beam weapons)
Plasma Torpedo

Chemistry[edit]

RPs Cumul RPs Level name Technologies Usual non-Creative choices
50 50 Chemistry Nuclear Missile
Standard Fuel Cells
Extended Fuel Tanks
Titanium Armor		 This is a "general" tech level - even Uncreatives get all the techs.
250 300 Advanced Metallurgy Deuterium Fuel Cells
Tritanium Armor		 Depends on the map.
650 950 Advanced Chemistry Merculite Missile
Pollution Processor		 Depends on your strategy.
1150 2100 Molecular Compression Pulson Missile
Atmospheric Renewer
Iridium Fuel Cells		 Iridium Fuel Cells (Tolerant races)
Atmospheric Renewer (all else)
2000 4100 Nano Technology Nano Disassemblers
Microlite Construction
Zortrium Armor		 Zortrium Armor
4500 8600 Molecular Manipulation Zeon Missile
Neutronium Armor
Uridium Fuel Cells		 Depends on your strategy.
10000 18600 Molecular Control Thorium Fuel Cells
Adamantium Armor		 Adamantium Armor

Sociology[edit]

RPs Cumul RPs Level name Technologies Usual non-Creative choices
150 150 Military Tactics Space Academy Space Academy
650 800 Xeno Relations Xeno Psychology
Alien Management Center		 Alien Management Center
1150 1950 Macro Economics Stock Exchange Stock Exchange
2000 3950 Teaching Methods Astro University Astro University
4500 8450 Advanced Government Confederation
Imperium
Federation
Galactic Unification		 Confederation
Imperium
Federation
Galactic Unification
6000 14450 Galactic Economics Galactic Currency Exchange Galactic Currency Exchange

Computers[edit]

RPs Cumul RPs Level name Technologies Usual non-Creative choices
50 50 Electronics Electronic Computer Electronic Computer
150 200 Optronics Research Laboratory
Optronic Computer
Dauntless Guidance System		 Research Laboratory
400 600 Artificial Intelligence Neural Scanner
Scout Lab
Security Stations		 Neural Scanner
900 1500 Positronics Positronic Computer
Supercomputer
Holo Simulator		 Supercomputer
1500 3000 Artificial Consciousness Emissions Guidance System
Rangemaster Targeting Unit
Cyber Security Link		 Emissions Guidance System
Cyber Security Link (Democracies)
2750 5750 Cybertronics Cybertronic Computer
Autolab
Structural Analyzer		 Autolab
3500 9250 Cybertechnics Android Farmers
Android Workers
Android Scientists		 Android Scientists (production races)
Android Workers (research races)
4500 13750 Galactic Networking Virtual Reality Network
Galactic Cybernet		 Virtual Reality Network (non-Unification races)
Galactic Cybernet (Unification races)
6000 19750 Moleculartronics Pleasure Dome
Moleculartronic Computer
Achilles Targeting Unit		 Achilles Targeting Unit

Biology[edit]

RPs Cumul RPs Level name Technologies Usual non-Creative choices
80 80 Astro Biology Hydroponic Farm
Biospheres		 Depends on the map.
400 480 Advanced Biology Cloning Center
Soil Enrichment
Death Spores		 Cloning Center (Lithovores)
Soil Enrichment (poor farming)
Cloning Center (all else)
900 1380 Genetic Engineering Telepathic Training
Microbiotics		 Telepathic Training (if you have population growth bonus)
Telepathic Training (Democracies)
Microbiotics (if you have counter-intelligence bonus)
Microbiotics (if you have population capacity bonus)
1150 2530 Genetic Mutations Terraforming Terraforming
1500 4030 Macro Genetics Subterranean Farms
Weather Controller		 Depends on the map.
2750 6780 Evolutionary Genetics Psionics
Heightened Intelligence		 Psionics (Democracies, Dictatorships)
Heightened Intelligence (Unification)
Depends on the mix of population (Feudal).
4500 11280 Artificial Life Bio Terminator
Universal Antidote		 Universal Antidote
7500 18780 Trans Genetics Biomorphic Fungi
Gaia Transformation
Evolutionary Mutation		 Evolutionary Mutation

Physics[edit]

RPs Cumul RPs Level name Technologies Usual non-Creative choices
50 50 Physics Laser Cannon
Laser Rifle
Space Scanner		 This is a "general" tech level - even Uncreatives get all the techs.
150 200 Fusion Physics Fusion Beam
Fusion Rifle		 Depends on your strategy.
250 450 Tachyon Physics Tachyon Communications
Tachyon Scanner
Battle Scanner		 Battle Scanner (beam weapons)
Tachyon Communications
900 1350 Neutrino Physics Neutron Blaster
Neutron Scanner		 Neutron Blaster (beam weapons)
Neutron Scanner
1150 2500 Artificial Gravity Tractor Beam
Graviton Beam
Gravity Generator		 Depends on your strategy.
1500 4000 Subspace Physics Subspace Communications
Jump Gate		 Subspace Communications
2000 6000 Multi-Phased Physics Phasors
Phasor Rifle
Multi-Phased Shields		 Depends on your strategy.
3500 9500 Plasma Physics Plasma Cannon
Plasma Rifle
Plasma Web		 Depends on your strategy.
4500 14000 Multi-Dimensional Physics Disruptor Cannon
Dimensional Portal		 (attack Antarans:)Dimensional Portal
(otherwise:)Disruptor Cannon
6000 20000 Hyper-Dimensional Physics Hyperspace Communications
Mauler Device
Sensors		 Depends on your strategy.
15000 35000 Temporal Physics Time Warp Facilitator
Stellar Converter
Star Gate		 Time Warp Facilitator

Force Fields[edit]

RPs Cumul RPs Level name Technologies Usual non-Creative choices
250 250 Advanced Magnetism Class I Shield
Mass Driver
ECM Jammer		 Depends on your strategy.
ECM Jammer
650 900 Gravitic Fields Anti-Grav Harness
Inertial Stabilizer
Gyro Destabilizer		 Inertial Stabilizer
900 1800 Magneto Gravitics Class III Shield
Radiation Shield
Warp Dissipater		 Class III Shield
1500 3300 Electromagnetic Refraction Stealth Field
Personal Shield
Stealth Suit		 Personal Shield (Ground fighters)
Stealth Suit (all else)
2000 5300 Warp Fields Pulsar
Warp Interdictor
Lightning Field		 Lightning Field
2750 8050 Subspace Fields Class V Shields
Multi-Wave ECM Jammer
Gauss Cannon		 Gauss Cannon
Class V Shields
3500 11550 Distortion Fields Cloaking Device
Stasis Field
Hard Shields		 Stasis Field
Hard Shields
4500 16050 Quantum Fields Class VII Shield
Planetary Flux Shield
Wide Area Jammer		 Class VII Shield, otherwise Planetary Flux Shield
7500 23550 Transwarp Fields Displacement Device
Subspace Teleporter
Inertial Nullifier		 Inertial Nullifier
Subspace Teleporter
15000 38550 Temporal Fields Class X Shield
Planetary Barrier Shield
Phasing Cloak		 Phasing Cloak
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← Exotic technologies | Summary of techs by level | Recommended research paths →

Table of Contents

Gameplay
Race design
Walkthrough
Managing your economy
Technologies
Diplomacy and intelligence
Battle tactics
Calculations
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