The research system rewards discipline in branch ordering far more than random investment as resources pile up.
Branch order
- Development — unlocks first and stays relevant the longest: construction and recruitment speed
- Alliance Duel (after Lab 15) — pivot here right away for the Tier 4–6 event chest unlock nodes
- Soldiers and Elite Troops — Soldiers boost attack/defense/HP for troops in every fight, Elite Troops is a mandatory gate for T10 (the top late-game troop tier)
- Tactics (offense/defense) — don’t rush here while Development and Economy still have valuable nodes left; sprinting into tactics too early weakens your foundation for the sake of tools you’re not ready to use yet
What unlocks at Lab 20+
The offensive/defensive tactics branches and the upper Soldier/Elite Troop nodes — these are already true late-game goals, continuing progress past level 15.
The main principle
Disciplined sequencing beats chaotic investment — the system rewards patience and planning far more than the size of any single contribution.