I feel like breakthroughs are a bad idea?

[sick duck]

Just on average, magnetic is 50% more damaging than the starter weapons and the elerium stuff is 100% better than starter weapons. You also cannot survive without proving ground research items, and anything that delays this process is bad. I did commander before I did legend, and I feel as if research breakthroughs are actually more common on legend difficulty which is part of the reason I'm convinced that breakthroughs are actually a trap and should mostly be avoided.

[mk11]

This is correct, researching breakthroughs is (mostly) a trap.

Covert ops breakthroughs may be worth it. Some breakthroughs might be worth it, e.g. the instant excavation can allow excavating a power coil on the third level which is a big boost to developing the Avenger. +1 to a weapon type is also tempting.

AFAIK, breakthroughs always take 10 days on Legendary regardless of how many scientists you have. If you get offered a good breakthrough right at the beginning before you have gained any scientists it may be worth it since the amount of research foregone is less than if you had a breakthrough later.

[megansweden]

Breakthroughs are another decision point that you have to make and evaluate for yourself if the benefit to be gained is worth the delay in your standard research path.

Some of them are next to worthless, they amount to trading 10 days of research for 75 supplies. Or even less in some cases.

But the plus damage ones in my opinion are worth it, unless you are in a situation where you absolutely need to make progress on something else and can't afford any delays. In general, they are all nice to have, none of them are necessary. I generally take all damage breakthroughs as a way to add some short-term challenge with a long-term payoff. Short-term pain for being behind in the really important research, long-term glory.

It can also be nice, if you have a good Breakthrough Covert Op (where you need to send a scientist) to also get a Breakthrough in the regular research lab. Because the time is fixed regardless of how many scientists you have, so you aren't losing anything by having 1 away on a covert op. And you can effectively get 2 nice-to-have buffs done at the cost of only the standard delay of 1.

[psychotron666420]

Depends on the breakthrough. Getting extra pistol damage early game is extremely valuable especially for the lost. Then there's ones like increased armour, and increased damage in "assault rifles" and "shotguns" applies for all tiers of those weapons, so you don't "lose" the breakthrough when you upgrade to the next tier.

So many are extremely worth it. There's some that aren't like halfling building cost and whatnot though.

[Crypto Gamer]

Most breakthtoughs are time trap but +1 weapon type dmg is almost always worth it(if you often use those weapons) and tier 3+1 dmg is also worth it.

There is continent bonus(random)which decreases research time if you have lab it also slightly reduce breakthrough research time to 9days at least it did in 2021 game version on Legend.
Instant exacavation can be worth it especially for the last level saving tons of time.

Reduced buildings cost is alway crap and most things are not worth the time especially on Legend.

Having a lab built makes inspirations and breakthoughs happen more often.

[Ohio9]

Well don't forget you can also get breakthroughs with the Resistance Ring. You don't always have to get them through research.

[sick duck]

I think I prefer using the resistance ring to create super soldiers and reduce avatar progress. Had a sharp shooter doing covert ops for months before I got his aptitude and rank to maximum. He now has the hunter chosen guns, and I am thinking about changing his name to John Wick.

[Marcus]

i modded the files to be 5 days, plus if you have a lab, extra scientists cuts the time down taken to research them

[simonhobnob]

I also like the breakthroughs that add additional utility slots or mod slots to weapons. (reaper with the option for ammo types as an option? Any gun with an extra mod slot, lovely)