Loading...
Loading...
How to Increase Research Knowledge - Version 10 vs Version 11
Jun 9, 2026, 12:10 AM
Removed duplicate in-body wikilinks
Aug 17, 2026, 02:45 AM
Corrected the research funding currency to camp funds after the 1.18.00 change
11Overview22Research knowledge is a core progression system in Crimson Desert that determines how far you can advance through each institute's research tree. Without enough research knowledge, higher-tier research nodes remain locked, preventing you from accessing some of the most powerful upgrades in the game. These upgrades include crafting blueprints, permanent stat increases, new equipment, and unique tools that dramatically expand your capabilities.44Research institutes are scattered across the regions of Pywel, and each one focuses on a different branch of study. To progress through their research trees, you need to fund projects with Silver and accumulate research knowledge by completing tasks for the researchers stationed at each facility. This guide explains every method for earning research knowledge, walks through all six institutes, and provides practical tips for efficient progression.5+Patch 1.18.00 on August 15, 2026 changed the research resource from personal silver to Camp Funds. Any project cost quoted in silver further down this page was recorded before that patch; the amounts are still a useful guide to relative cost, but the currency charged in the current build is camp funds.66Research institutes are scattered across the regions of Pywel, and each one focuses on a different branch of study. To progress through their research trees, you need to fund projects with camp funds and accumulate research knowledge by completing tasks for the researchers stationed at each facility. This guide explains every method for earning research knowledge, walks through all six institutes, and provides practical tips for efficient progression.8+What is Research Knowledge?810Research knowledge is a progression requirement tied to each research institute. It functions as a gating mechanism: certain research nodes in the tree are greyed out and cannot be purchased until you have gathered enough knowledge. Unlike Silver, which is spent to fund individual projects, research knowledge is earned through exploration and interaction rather than currency.1113Each institute tracks its own knowledge independently. Gaining knowledge at Scholastone does not count toward your progress at Pororin or any other facility. You need to complete the specific tasks assigned by the researchers at each location to unlock their respective research trees.1315How to Earn Research Knowledge1517The process for earning research knowledge follows a consistent cycle across all six institutes. While the specific tasks differ from one location to the next, the underlying structure remains the same.1719Step-by-Step Process1921Locate the institute. Research institutes appear on your map with a research tree icon. Hover over settlement icons to check whether they contain a research facility.Speak to the lead researcher. Each institute has a lead researcher who controls access to the research menu. You must talk to them first.Provide the unlock item. Every lead researcher requires a specific item before they will open their research tree. These items range from Honey Tea to Diamonds depending on the institute.Fund and complete the first research project. Pay the Silver cost for the first available node and wait for the in-game timer to finish. Initial projects typically take around 14 in-game hours.Return to collect results. You must physically return to the institute to turn in your first completed research. This step is required before subsequent nodes unlock.Complete researcher requests to gain knowledge. After turning in the first project, side quest markers appear around the institute and surrounding area. These are the knowledge tasks.Repeat the cycle. With enough knowledge accumulated, new research nodes become available. Fund them, wait for completion, and continue gathering knowledge for later tiers.2123Types of Knowledge Tasks2325Knowledge tasks are short quests issued by the researchers at each institute. They do not involve combat. Instead, they focus on world interaction and observation. Common task types include:2527Observing objects or structures: Walk to a marked location and interact with a specific structure, machine, or natural formation. The game prompts you to examine it.Inspecting machinery: Some tasks require you to inspect or repair broken equipment near the institute.Speaking to research assistants: Talk to NPCs stationed around the facility. They share information that contributes to your knowledge tally.Investigating habitats and environments: Certain tasks send you into the surrounding wilderness to study plants, rock formations, or energy phenomena.Collecting specific items: Occasionally, a researcher asks you to gather a particular material or specimen from the nearby area.2729All of these tasks are marked on your map and tracked in your Journal under the Faction/Research quests section. They are generally quick to complete, usually requiring only a short walk and a single interaction.2931Tracking Your Research Progress3133You do not need to visit an institute in person every time you want to check on your research status. Press Y (Xbox) or Triangle (PlayStation) while hovering over a village or settlement icon on the map to view your current research progress remotely. This saves considerable travel time, especially for institutes in remote locations.3335Your Journal also tracks active research quests. Open the Journal and navigate to the Faction/Research section to see all pending knowledge tasks, including map markers for observation points and NPC conversations. Completing every listed task at a given institute will typically unlock all available research nodes at that facility.3537Research Timers and Time Advancement3739Each research project requires a set number of in-game hours to complete after you fund it. The timer for the initial project at most institutes is around 14 in-game hours, with later projects varying in duration. The in-game clock does not advance while you stand idle, so you need to actively play, sleep, or use a campfire to push time forward.3941The most efficient way to advance time is to sleep at a campfire or bed. Fast travel also causes a small amount of in-game time to pass. If you have multiple research projects running at different institutes, you can fund them all in sequence and then advance time to collect the results in a single trip.4143All Research Institutes4345There are six research institutes spread across three regions of Pywel. Each one specializes in a different field and offers unique rewards. The table below provides a quick comparison.4547InstituteRegionUnlock ItemSpecialtyScholastoneHernand1x Honey TeaAbyss research, health cap, Cloudcart upgradesPororin VillageHernand5x LavenderNature, alchemy, infinite arrowsUrdavahCrimson Desert3x BloodstoneDesert research, stamina cap, bio-energyGorthak IronworksDelesyia5x GunpowderWeapons, smelting, mining efficiencyDelesyia CastleDelesyia3x CopperMobility upgrades, mechanical componentsDewhaven KeepDelesyia1x DiamondElectricity, ATAG weapons, lightning tools4749Scholastone Institute4850Scholastone is typically the first institute players encounter, becoming accessible from Chapter 5 of the main story. It is located in the Hernand region and is led by an orc researcher named Grunvar. To unlock the research menu, deliver 1x Honey Tea to Grunvar. Honey Tea can be crafted at a cauldron by combining Honey with Water, purchased from certain merchants, or looted from enemies.5052After completing Grunvar's initial request and turning in your first research, side quest markers appear around the Scholastone area. These involve talking to research assistants and observing Abyss-related machinery and structures. Completing them unlocks the remaining nodes in the research tree.5254Scholastone Research Projects5456ProjectCostRewardAbyssal Environment Research1 SilverBeekeeper's Gear BlueprintResearch on the Abyss Energy Restoration Phenomenon12 SilverFaded Abyss Artifact BlueprintAbyssal Energy Research130 SilverRaises maximum health cap from level 11 to 18Enhanced Cloudcart Efficiency9 SilverUnlocks Cloudcruiser crafting missionEnhanced Cloudcart Altitude100 SilverEnables Cloudcart Abyss travelAbyss Energy Applicable Device Research500 SilverATAG Thrustpack MK II and MK III BlueprintsSkyroot Research7 SilverUnlocks additional Skyroot optionsSkyroot Cultivation Research90 SilverEnables harvesting seeds from Skyroot5658The most impactful project here is Abyssal Energy Research, which raises your maximum health cap from level 11 all the way to level 18. This makes a dramatic difference in tougher boss encounters during the mid and late game.5759Pororin Village5961Pororin is a hidden Shai village located southeast of Hernand, just east of the Emberwind Workshop. Unlike other institutes, Pororin is not immediately accessible. When you first approach, the Shai residents knock you out with sleeping darts. After waking up, you must complete a short quest to retrieve a relic from a Giant Walking Tree (climb its legs to reach the head) and return it to the village to gain permanent access.6163Once inside, deliver 5x Lavender to the lead researcher to unlock the research menu. Knowledge tasks at Pororin involve observing natural environments, studying plants, and speaking with the forest-dwelling research assistants in the surrounding area.6365Pororin Research Projects6567ProjectCostRewardResearch on Getting Closer to Nature1.10 SilverShadowleaf Disguise Blueprint and infinite arrow supplyPharmacological Research on Medicinal Herbs7 SilverPalmar Pill alchemy recipePalmar Leaf Research9 SilverIncreases infinite arrow supply rateMysterious Energy of Wild Ginseng Research130 SilverIncreases container and inventory capacityPlant Combination Research120 SilverUnlocks Freya's, Meliara's, and Haiden's Elixir formulasEfficient Gathering Research70 SilverImproves odds of finding rare plantsReachwood Ruins Dispatch Plan80 SilverUnlocks a new dispatch missionSecret Tools of Life500 SilverMagic Scythe and Pororin Fishing Rod crafting blueprints6769The Research on Getting Closer to Nature project is particularly valuable because it unlocks an infinite arrow supply, eliminating the need to craft or purchase arrows for ranged combat.6870Urdavah Research7072The Urdavah institute sits within the archway city of Urdavah in the Crimson Desert region. You pass through this location during the main quest. After finishing that story section, find the lead researcher at the bottom of the elevator shaft and deliver 3x Bloodstone to unlock the research tree.7274Knowledge tasks at Urdavah focus on desert environments, energy phenomena, and the unique ecology of the region. Expect to inspect desert machinery, observe rock formations, and speak with local researchers.7476Urdavah Research Projects7678ProjectCostRewardDesert Lifestyle ResearchVariesDesert survival tools and knowledgeBioenergy AmplificationVariesCooked food grants longer and more potent buffsRed Seaweed ResearchVariesRaises maximum stamina capWind Energy Fusion DeviceVariesUnlocks Propeller Spear, Gale Shield, and Air BlasterGold Vein ResearchVariesReveals gold vein locations on the mapHigh Capacity Energy Power DeviceVariesATAG Plating MK II and MK III defense blueprintsCirculating Energy ResearchVariesHigh-tier accessory blueprints7880The Red Seaweed Research project is the standout here, as it raises your maximum stamina cap. Combined with the health cap increase from Scholastone, these two stat upgrades together will carry you through the toughest boss encounters in the mid and late game.7981Gorthak Ironworks8183Gorthak Ironworks is located in the northwestern part of Delesyia, near the Demeniss border. You gain access to its functions as part of the main story objectives in this region. The lead researcher requires 5x Gunpowder to open the research menu.8385Knowledge tasks at Gorthak revolve around industrial processes, smelting operations, and mining techniques. You will inspect foundry equipment, observe smelting procedures, and speak with the ironworkers stationed around the facility.8587Gorthak Research Projects8789ProjectCostRewardBasic Smelting ResearchVariesFoundational weapon crafting blueprintsMineral Excavation EfficiencyVariesIncreased mining yield and efficiencyBrimstone ResearchVariesIncreased ammunition productionATAG Weapon ResearchVariesATAG Cannon, Laser, and Pincers weapon blueprintsOongka's Rocket Pack UpgradeVariesUpgrades Oongka's Rocket Pack8991Delesyia Castle Institute9092The Delesyia Castle Institute is located in the regional capital of Delesyia, near the entrance gate. The lead researcher requires 3x Copper to unlock the project list. This facility focuses on mobility upgrades and mechanical component research.9294Delesyia Castle Research Projects9496ProjectCostRewardMechanical Enemy Component ResearchVariesImproved component drops from mechanical enemiesATAG Boots ResearchVariesATAG Boots mobility upgrade blueprintLaser Cannon Spear ResearchVariesLaser Cannon Spear crafting blueprintMercury Deposit ResearchVariesReveals mercury deposit locations on the mapEnvironmental Weapon SystemsVariesAccess to environmental weapon installations9698Dewhaven Keep9799Dewhaven Keep is the third Delesyia institute, situated in the southwestern part of the region. This is likely one of the last research institutes you will find because the surrounding area is filled with aggressive enemies and hostile guards who attack on sight. Come prepared for combat when making your first visit.99101The lead researcher requires 1x Diamond to unlock the project list. Dewhaven specializes in electricity-based technology, close-range ATAG systems, and utility devices.101103Dewhaven Keep Research Projects103105ProjectCostRewardElectricity Conversion MechanismVariesFoundational electricity technologyATAG Machine Gun ResearchVariesATAG Machine Gun crafting blueprintATAG Fist ResearchVariesATAG Fist crafting blueprintATAG Welder ResearchVariesATAG Welder crafting blueprintATAG Flamespitter ResearchVariesATAG Flamespitter crafting blueprintLightning Spear ResearchVariesLightning Spear crafting blueprintMachine Workers ResearchVariesUnlocks machine worker dispatch missions105107Recommended Research Priority106108With six institutes to visit and dozens of projects to fund, it helps to prioritize the most impactful upgrades. The following order gives you the strongest returns for your Silver investment.108110Scholastone: Abyssal Energy Research (130 Silver). Raising your health cap from level 11 to level 18 is the single most impactful upgrade in the game. Prioritize this as soon as you have access to Scholastone.Urdavah: Red Seaweed Research. The stamina cap increase complements the health boost and is essential for late-game boss fights.Pororin: Research on Getting Closer to Nature (1.10 Silver). Infinite arrows remove the need to manage ranged ammunition entirely. This is cheap and immediately useful.Gorthak: ATAG Weapon Research. The ATAG Cannon, Laser, and Pincers provide significant firepower for Delesyia's tougher encounters.Delesyia Castle: ATAG Boots Research. Mobility upgrades make traversal and combat dodging significantly more responsive.All remaining Row 1 projects under 15 Silver. Even cheap starter projects unlock access to higher-tier nodes. Do not skip them.110112Tips and Tricks112114Bank Silver before visiting new regions. High-tier projects cost between 70 and 500 Silver each. Arriving at a new institute with a full wallet lets you fund multiple projects at once.Fund multiple projects, then advance time. Since each project runs on an in-game timer, you can fund projects at several institutes in sequence and then sleep at a campfire to advance time, collecting all results in fewer trips.Check the Journal regularly. Knowledge tasks are tracked in the Faction/Research section of your Journal. New tasks appear after you turn in completed research, so check back after each turn-in.Complete stalled research tasks immediately. Some projects halt midway and require you to finish a side quest for a local researcher before work resumes. Track these halted projects on the map and resolve them right away to avoid bottlenecks.Use remote progress checks. Press Y (Xbox) or Triangle (PlayStation) on a settlement icon on the map to check research progress without traveling there.Treat research like exploration, not a menu. Knowledge comes from observing and interacting with the world, not from combat or grinding. Walk around each institute's surroundings, talk to every NPC with a quest marker, and inspect anything the game highlights.Collect unlock items early. Keep an eye out for Honey Tea, Lavender, Bloodstone, Gunpowder, Copper, and Diamonds as you explore. Having these items ready when you discover a new institute saves you a return trip.114116Unlock Items Quick Reference116118Each institute requires a specific item before the lead researcher will open the research tree. The table below lists every unlock item, where to get it, and which institute it opens.118120ItemQuantityInstituteHow to ObtainHoney Tea1ScholastoneCraft at a cauldron (Honey + Water), buy from merchants, or loot from enemiesLavender5Pororin VillageGather from wild Lavender plants in the Hernand regionBloodstone3UrdavahMine from ore deposits in the Crimson Desert regionGunpowder5Gorthak IronworksCraft or purchase from vendors in the Delesyia regionCopper3Delesyia CastleMine from copper ore deposits in DelesyiaDiamond1Dewhaven KeepRare drop from mining or found in treasure chests120122See Also121123CraftingScholastonePororin VillageGorthak IronworksDelesyiaSilverATAG Gear
