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Material Physics

Material Physics

Material Physics is a high-end research that cuts ship, defense, and building costs while also speeding shipyard construction. Level 1 gives 20% cheaper ships and defenses, every additional level adds another 1% ship/defense cost reduction, every level cuts building and facility upgrade costs by 2%, and every level reduces ship and defense build time by 5%.

Quick Stats

Property Value
Type Engineering Research
Lab Notes Research Lab level affects speed only
Effect -20% ship and defense cost at level 1, then -1% per additional level; -2% building and facility upgrade cost per level; -5% ship/defense build time per level
Prerequisites Research Lab 8, plus the section 3 unlock requirement (4 cumulative section 2 levels)

Cost & Requirements

Resource Amount
Metal 8,000
Crystal 6,000
Deuterium 2,000

Requirements:

  • Research Lab level 8
  • Energy Technology level 6
  • Weapon Technology level 6
  • Defense Technology level 6

How The Discount Works

Discount % = 20% + ((Level - 1) * 1%)
Discounted Cost = Base Cost * (1 - Discount %)

Examples:

  • Level 1: Base Cost * 0.80
  • Level 5: Base Cost * 0.76

The ship and defense reduction applies to every ship and defense you build, whether it is queued, batch-built, or purchased through the shipyard.

Building and facility upgrade costs use a separate discount:

Building Discount % = Level * 2%
Discounted Upgrade Cost = Current Upgrade Cost * (1 - Building Discount %)

Examples:

  • Level 1: Current Upgrade Cost * 0.98
  • Level 5: Current Upgrade Cost * 0.90

Construction Speed Bonus

Build Time Multiplier = 1 - (Level * 5%)

Examples:

  • Level 1: Base Time * 0.95
  • Level 4: Base Time * 0.80

When Material Physics finishes researching, active shipyard and defense queues immediately recalculate around the new faster timings.

Strategy Tips

  • Best before fleet spikes: Research it before large ship production runs.
  • Defense economy: Big shield domes and plasma turrets become much cheaper.
  • Infrastructure value: Extra levels make mines, storage, and facilities cheaper before you start the next upgrade.
  • Keeps scaling: Extra levels stay relevant because each one adds another 1% ship/defense cost reduction, another 2% building cost reduction, and another 5% queue-speed boost.
  • Stacks with production boosts: More income + lower costs = faster expansion.

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