What happpens at R16?

[DrakenKin]

I didn't understand, the advisor mentionned research, but where do i see that?

I don't see nor understand how to unlock the new features, even tho i am at R16 right now.

[RogueFireWolf]

When playing as a Vanilla Faction, you'll notice a Building Quest. You need to build a specific amount or more of the building it references in that Quest to unlock Research capabilities for that Faction.

Once you can use a Research Facility (which requires the Vanilla Unique Building relating to it to be unlocked), you can buy Research Points in that Facility as any Faction that can use Research. At R16, that's only Vanilla Factions that have unlocked their Unique Building (and have it bought that run).

As you do that, you'll see upgrades appear, which you'll need to do certain things to fully unlock. Only then will you be able to use Researches. Many are locked to specific Alignments or Factions for use, and you have a limited number of slots, which you can see by hovering over the Research Facility's icon.

[PseudonymousBosh]

Also, to unlock research and use it effectively is relatively expensive; produce plenty of gems before you begin.

[DrakenKin]

I have enough money to buy the upgrade, but i guess i don't have enough buildings. Why don't it simply tell you how many you need?

[DrakenKin]

How many do i need for elven? any advice on minimum amount of gems before i attempt it?

PS: I am sticking to mercenaries for now.

[RogueFireWolf]

I don't know off the top of my head. I recommend waiting until around Dvg to Tvg (e69-e72) Gems, if you can.

[DrakenKin]

Thanks!

I was able to unlock and max out research for all factions (136/136 on all) yet the factions are still weaker than mercenaries. Is this normal? From the flavor text it seemed to say that research would bring back vanilla factions back on top of best for production. Am I missing something?

[PseudonymousBosh]

There are various possibilities, but without knowing more about what you've tried, it's hard to say anything definite: it might be that you haven't yet unlocked all the individual researches; or that you haven't selected good researches in your build; or that you chose an inappropriate bloodline, or a faction with weak production; or that your run wasn't the right length.

[DrakenKin]

I unlocked everything, all 136 levels of research, and it seems each race has its clickable research, doesn't seem like a choice but rather just being able to afford the research... or did i miss something?

[PseudonymousBosh]

There is a limit on the number of researches that can be taken in a given field of research. At R16, most fields of research are at or below that limit, but each faction will have to omit one research in craftsmanship, alchemy, or both.

[Batchie]

Wiki is your friend

http://realm-grinder.wikia.com/wiki/Research