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11 Overview
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33 Research projects are the primary way to unlock permanent upgrades, new crafting blueprints, dispatch missions, and stat cap increases in Crimson Desert. Six research institutes are spread across the continent of Pywel, each with a unique set of projects organized into a tiered grid. This page lists every research project in the game along with its cost, duration, and reward.
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66 For an explanation of how the research system works, including tree structure, knowledge requirements, and how to track progress remotely, see the Research System article. For institute locations and how to reach them, see the Research Institutes page.
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88 How Research Works
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1010 Each institute has a lead researcher who requires a one-time item delivery before opening the project tree. Once unlocked, you fund individual projects using Silver. Every project runs for a fixed number of in-game hours. The timer ticks while you play, sleep, or wait. You do not need to stay at the institute while research is in progress.
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1212 Projects are arranged in a grid with an initial project at the top, followed by rows of increasingly powerful (and expensive) research. Projects in the same row are independent of each other, but any project in a later row requires the one directly above it in the same column to be completed first.
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1414 Institute Summary
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1616 InstituteRegionUnlock ItemNumber of ProjectsKey RewardPororinHernand5x Lavender8Spirit cap increaseScholastoneHernand1x Honey Tea8Health cap raised to level 18UrdavahCrimson Desert3x Bloodstone7Stamina cap increaseGorthak IronworksDelesyia5x Gunpowder7ATAG Cannon, Laser, PincersDelesyia CastleDelesyia3x Copper7ATAG Boots Mk. II and IIIDewhaven KeepDelesyia1x Diamond7ATAG Fist, Machine Gun, Flamespitter, Welder
1717 Pororin Projects
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1919 Pororin is a hidden Shai village located southeast of Hernand. You gain access by completing the "Unreachable Village" quest. The lead researcher requires 5x Lavender to open the project tree. Research at Pororin focuses on herbalism, alchemy formulas, and gathering efficiency. The most important project here is the spirit cap increase from the Mysterious Energy of Wild Ginseng Research.
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2121 TierProject NameCostDurationRewardInitialGetting Closer to Nature1.10 Silver2 hoursShadowleaf Disguise Blueprint; Sustained Supply Arrow1APharmacological Research on Medicinal Herbs7 Silver9 hoursPalmar Pill Alchemy Formula1BMysterious Energy of Wild Ginseng Research130 Silver22 hoursSpirit level cap raised past initial threshold2APalmar Leaf Research9 Silver6 hoursMap markers for Palmar Leaf gathering locations2BPlant Combination Research120 Silver18 hoursAlchemy Formulas: Freya's, Meliara's, and Haiden's Elixirs2CSecret Tools of Life - Pororin Research500 Silver28 hoursMagic Scythe and Pororin Fishing Rod dispatch missions3AEfficient Gathering Research70 Silver20 hoursBonus plant collection chance while gathering3BReachwood Ruins Dispatch Plan80 Silver14 hoursReachwood Ruins dispatch mission unlocked
2222 The Secret Tools of Life project at 500 Silver is the most expensive single research project in the Hernand region. Save it until you have a solid income stream from vendors and Gold Bars. The Palmar Pill Alchemy Formula from project 1A is a cheap early unlock that gives you access to a useful healing consumable.
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2424 Scholastone Projects
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2626 The Scholastone Institute is typically the first research location players encounter. You visit it during the main campaign, and the researcher Grunvar requires 1x Honey Tea to open the project tree. Honey Tea can be crafted at a cauldron by mixing Honey with Water. Research here covers Abyss energy, health upgrades, and cloudcart improvements.
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2828 TierProject NameCostDurationRewardInitialAbyssal Environment Research1 Silver2 hoursBeekeeper's Gear Blueprint1AAbyss Energy Restoration Phenomenon12 Silver8 hoursFaded Abyss Artifact Blueprint1BAbyssal Energy Research130 Silver20 hoursHealth cap raised from level 11 to level 182AEnhanced Cloudcart Efficiency9 Silver6 hoursCloudcruiser crafting unlocked2BEnhanced Cloudcart Altitude100 Silver18 hoursSkystreaker crafting unlocked2CAbyss Energy Applicable Device Research500 SilverNot confirmedATAG Thrusterpack Mk. II and III; Skystep ability for Damiane's shields3ASkyroot Research7 Silver6 hoursFoundation herb research3BSkyroot Cultivation Research90 Silver14 hoursSkyroot growth conditions analysis
2929 The Faded Abyss Artifact Blueprint from project 1A costs only 12 Silver and 8 hours. It lets you craft respec items at any Witch cauldron, giving you a reliable way to reset your skill tree without hunting for artifacts in random Abyss chests. This is one of the most valuable early research investments in the game.
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3131 The Abyssal Energy Research at 130 Silver and 20 hours is the single most impactful research project in Crimson Desert. Pushing your Health cap from 11 to 18 makes an enormous difference in boss fights and tough combat encounters throughout the mid and late game.
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3333 Urdavah Projects
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3535 Urdavah is an archway city in the Crimson Desert sand region. You pass through it during the main quest. The lead researcher is found at the bottom of the elevator shaft inside the city. Bring 3x Bloodstone to unlock the project tree. Research at Urdavah focuses on stamina upgrades, cooking energy boosts, wind-powered weapons, and mineral deposits.
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3737 TierProject NameCostDurationRewardInitialDesert Lifestyle Research1.10 Silver2 hoursVarnian Equipment Blueprint1ABioenergy Amplification Research11 Silver9 hoursSignificantly increased energy gain from cooking1BRed Seaweed Research12 Silver18 hoursStamina cap raised past initial threshold2AWind Energy Fusion Device Research7 Silver6 hoursPropeller Spear, Gale Shield, Air Blaster dispatch missions2BHigh-Capacity Energy Power Device Research70 Silver22 hoursATAG Plating Mk. II and III dispatch missions3AGold Vein Research130 Silver8 hoursGold Ore cave locations revealed on map3BCirculating Energy Research100 Silver20 hoursAccessories of the World Vol. IV Blueprint
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3939 Red Seaweed Research is a bargain at only 12 Silver for a permanent stamina cap increase. Prioritize this alongside the health cap project at Scholastone. The Gold Vein Research (3A) at 130 Silver is a worthwhile investment for players who want to farm Gold Ore efficiently, since it marks cave locations containing deposits directly on your map.
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4141 Gorthak Ironworks Projects
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4343 Gorthak Ironworks sits in the northwestern part of the Delesyia region near the Demeniss border. It becomes accessible during the later chapters of the main story. The lead researcher requires 5x Gunpowder to open the project tree. Research here covers smelting, advanced ATAG weaponry, and mining efficiency.
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4545 TierProject NameCostDurationRewardInitialGorthak Ironworks - Basic Smelting1.30 Silver2 hoursFlame Spear Blueprint; Sustained Supply Cannon Shell1ASkilled Workflow Optimization Research11 Silver9 hoursReduced crafting material waste1BTaro Research90 Silver18 hoursLarge-scale mission dispatch capability2AWeapon Heat-Treatment Research12 Silver7 hoursFlame Spear, Electromagnetic Flame Spitter, Shotgun Shield dispatch missions2BMachine Parts Research130 Silver23 hoursATAG Cannon, Laser, Pincers dispatch missions; Oongka Rocket Pack Vertical Flight upgrade3ABrimstone Research9 Silver6 hoursIncreased Sustained Supply Cannon Shell quantities3BMineral Excavation Efficiency Research120 Silver20 hoursAdditional minerals while mining; increased Cannon Shell supplies
4646 If you use Oongka as a companion frequently, Machine Parts Research (2B) is essential. It grants access to the ATAG Cannon, Laser, and Pincers through dispatch missions and adds the Vertical Flight ability to Oongka's Rocket Pack, making him significantly more versatile in combat. Skilled Workflow Optimization Research (1A) is a cheap investment that pays off across all future crafting sessions by reducing material waste.
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4848 Delesyia Castle Projects
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5050 The Delesyia Castle institute is housed within the main fortress of the Delesyia region. The lead researcher requires 3x Copper to open the project tree. Research here covers mechanical enemies, mobility gear, and advanced weapon systems.
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5252 TierProject NameCostDurationRewardInitialDelesyian Institute - Basic Science Research1 Silver2 hoursPropeller Spear Blueprint1AMechanical Anatomy Research10 Silver8 hoursIncreased component drops from mechanical enemies1BPrickly Pear Research80 Silver16 hoursLaser Cannon Spear dispatch mission2AEnvironmental Adaptive Weapon System Research12 Silver9 hoursDisruptor Spear, Electromagnetic Frostspitter dispatch missions2BHigh-Mobility Power Device Research120 Silver21 hoursATAG Boots Mk. II and III dispatch missions3AMercury Research7 Silver6 hoursMercury deposit locations revealed on map3BFuture Protective Material Study100 Silver18 hoursPlate Armors of the World Vol. IV Blueprint
5353 Mechanical Anatomy Research (1A) is a strong early pick at this institute. Increasing component drops from mechanical enemies feeds directly into late-game crafting recipes that require those parts. The ATAG Boots from project 2B provide substantial mobility improvements during combat, and the Plate Armors of the World Vol. IV Blueprint from project 3B unlocks some of the best late-game armor options.
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5555 Dewhaven Keep Projects
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5757 Dewhaven Keep is located in the southwestern part of the Delesyia region. The lead researcher requires 1x Diamond to open the project tree. Research here covers electrical weapons, mechanical engineering, and the most powerful ATAG combat equipment in the game.
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5959 TierProject NameCostDurationRewardInitialDewhaven Keep Facility Research1.10 Silver2 hoursLightning Spear Blueprint1AElectricity - Movement Conversion Mechanism Research9 Silver6 hoursLightning Saw dispatch mission; increased Timber gathering1BChaya Research90 Silver16 hoursMachine Workers dispatch mission2AElectric Tool Design Research13 Silver9 hoursLightning Spear, Electromagnetic Boltspitter, Quarry Drill dispatch missions; increased bullet quantities2BPower Joints System Research130 Silver20 hoursATAG Fist, Machine Gun, Flamespitter, Welder dispatch missions3ARazor Clam Research7 Silver6 hoursFoundation Razor Clam research3BAlloy Weapon Conductivity Study100 Silver18 hoursWeapons of the World Vol. IV Blueprint
6060 Power Joints System Research (2B) is the crown jewel of Dewhaven Keep, unlocking four of the most devastating ATAG weapons in the game through dispatch missions: the ATAG Fist for close-range devastation, the Machine Gun for sustained fire, the Flamespitter for area damage, and the Welder for precision cutting. The Weapons of the World Vol. IV Blueprint from project 3B is also a top-tier late-game unlock for weapon crafting.
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6262 Recommended Research Order
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6464 Research projects can run in parallel across different institutes, so the order below reflects priority rather than a strict sequence. Start the highest-priority projects first, then fill in the gaps while waiting for timers to complete.
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6666 Top Priority: Stat Cap Increases
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6868 These three projects permanently raise your core stat caps. They provide the largest power increase available through the research system and should be started as soon as each institute is unlocked.
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7070 PriorityProjectInstituteEffectCostTime1Abyssal Energy ResearchScholastoneHealth cap raised to level 18130 Silver20 hours2Red Seaweed ResearchUrdavahStamina cap increase12 Silver18 hours3Mysterious Energy of Wild Ginseng ResearchPororinSpirit cap increase130 Silver22 hours
7171 High Priority: Essential Unlocks
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7474 Abyss Energy Restoration Phenomenon (Scholastone 1A): Only 12 Silver and 8 hours for the Faded Abyss Artifact Blueprint. Lets you craft respec items freely.Bioenergy Amplification Research (Urdavah 1A): Boosts energy gain from cooking. Cheap at 11 Silver.Pharmacological Research on Medicinal Herbs (Pororin 1A): Unlocks the Palmar Pill Alchemy Formula for 7 Silver.All initial projects: Each costs around 1 Silver and 2 hours. Always complete the initial project at every institute immediately to unlock the full grid.
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7676 Medium Priority: Equipment and Dispatches
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7878 Machine Parts Research (Gorthak 2B): ATAG Cannon, Laser, Pincers, and Oongka's Vertical Flight. Costs 130 Silver.Power Joints System Research (Dewhaven 2B): ATAG Fist, Machine Gun, Flamespitter, Welder. Costs 130 Silver.Enhanced Cloudcart Efficiency (Scholastone 2A): Unlocks the Cloudcruiser for improved fast travel. Only 9 Silver.Skilled Workflow Optimization Research (Gorthak 1A): Reduces crafting waste globally. Cheap at 11 Silver.Gold Vein Research (Urdavah 3A): Reveals Gold Ore cave locations on the map. Costs 130 Silver but pays for itself quickly.
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8080 Lower Priority: Late-Game Investments
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8282 Secret Tools of Life - Pororin Research (Pororin 2C): The Magic Scythe and Pororin Fishing Rod are useful but cost 500 Silver and 28 hours.Enhanced Cloudcart Altitude (Scholastone 2B): The Skystreaker for 100 Silver is a luxury upgrade after the Cloudcruiser.Blueprint collection projects (Vol. IV Blueprints): The Accessories, Plate Armors, and Weapons of the World Vol. IV Blueprints from the Row 3 projects at Urdavah, Delesyia Castle, and Dewhaven Keep are late-game crafting unlocks worth completing when Silver is no longer scarce.Mineral and Mercury Research: Map marker projects are nice quality-of-life upgrades but not essential for progression.
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8484 Total Cost Summary
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8686 Completing every research project across all six institutes requires a significant Silver investment. The table below shows the approximate total cost per institute.
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8888 InstituteTotal Silver CostTotal Research HoursPororin917 Silver119 hoursScholastone849 Silver74+ hoursUrdavah331 Silver85 hoursGorthak Ironworks373 Silver85 hoursDelesyia Castle330 Silver80 hoursDewhaven Keep350 Silver77 hours
8989 The grand total across all institutes is approximately 3,150 Silver and 520+ hours of in-game research time (the Scholastone 2C project duration is not publicly confirmed). Since you can run projects at multiple institutes simultaneously, the actual calendar time to complete everything is much shorter than the combined hours would suggest.
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9191 Tips
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9393 Start multiple projects at once. Since each institute runs its own timer independently, begin projects at several locations and let them all run in parallel while you explore and quest.Sleep to advance timers. Research timers count in-game hours. Sleeping at a bed, camp, or inn advances the clock quickly, letting you finish projects without waiting around.Collect unlock items before you need them. Keep Honey Tea, Lavender, Bloodstones, Gunpowder, Copper, and Diamonds in your inventory as you explore. Having these ready when you discover a new institute saves a backtracking trip.Check progress remotely. Open the world map, hover over the institute's town, press Y (Xbox) or Triangle (PlayStation), and tab to the research panel from the diorama screen. You can track completion status without traveling back.Complete initial projects immediately. Every initial project costs around 1 Silver and takes just 2 hours. These unlock the full grid and grant a starter blueprint, so there is no reason to delay them.Knowledge requirements can gate progress. If a project appears locked despite having the prerequisite project above it completed, check the Knowledge requirements. You may need to observe specific environmental features or talk to research assistants near the institute.Late-game projects need patience. Projects costing 100 Silver or more often require 18 to 28 hours. Start these before a long exploration session or before going to sleep at camp to make the most of the wait time.