Basic Research & Technology

Unlock the full potential of your RimWorld colony by mastering the basics of research and technology. Learn how to prioritize advancements and build a thriving civilization.

Research is the primary way to unlock new technologies in RimWorld. These technologies range from simple improvements to existing items to entirely new structures and abilities. The research tree is divided into several tiers, with higher tiers requiring more research points and prerequisite technologies.

Overview of Research:

• Research Points: Generated by colonists with the 'Intellectual' skill. Higher skill and better workstations (like the Research Desk) increase the rate.
• Research Projects: Players select a technology to research from the available tree.
• Technology Tiers: Technologies are grouped into tiers, with progression through the tiers unlocking more advanced options.
• Prerequisites: Many technologies require other specific technologies to be researched first.
• Workstations: The Research Desk is the basic workstation. More advanced workstations like the Electric Research Bench and Fabrication Bench offer bonuses.

Getting Started with Research:

1. Assign a Colonist: Designate a colonist with a good Intellectual skill to the 'Research' work tab.
2. Build a Research Desk: Construct a basic Research Desk in your base.
3. Select a Project: Open the Research tab and choose a starting technology, often 'Complex Clothing' or 'Basic Electricity'.
4. Prioritize: Ensure your researcher has a clear path to the desk and is not interrupted.