what is alien research for?

[Protag]

so i built the alien research module and i dont seem to making any progress on anything when i "research" an alien i've captured. all it does is lower their HP. am i SUPPOSED to get resources from them? additionally, i have the clone lab 2 module and was wondering when exactly i'd be able to combine human DNA with alien DNA which is apparently a thing.

also, whats the difference between humans and mantiz?

[CyanDoomdragon]

For your first question; when you research an alien it gives you three slightly higher then normal chances that the alien will drop any of the drops that killing that alien would normally give. The aliens will heal over time so you can continue to do this as long as you have the Radiation Blue to spend, however there's a random chance that the alien will just die after any of the research attempts are done on it regardless of it's health. Once you've maxed out everything you can get from that alien (DNA, Upgrades, Powers) there's no reason to research or capture that alien any more, also it's best to capture level three aliens (from red planets/debris) since they give all three levels of the things you can get (DNA, Upgrades, Powers). Remember, an alien has to be a glowing red "champion" to be able to drop powers.

For your second question; combining Human and Alien DNA just means making a crew member that isn't Human. You need ten DNA samples from an alien, then research it at the Clone Lab, then just clone a non Human clone, that's what combining the DNA means. Remember to have the right atmosphere.

For your third question; the main difference between Human and Mantiz is the atmosphere they breathe (as well as what planet the can colonize) and the resistance they get at clone level three, other then that they're the same as Human.

[kschang77]

FWIW, I don't bother with alien research as I NEVER have enough rad blue to "waste" on alien research.

Your chances of capturing one of the red ones are pretty minimal if you're in a group setting, as everybody would be shooting at everything. To capture something you have to be pretty much alone with it.

[Filthy Cur]

Capturing aliens is usually a pain, and finding the elite versions on my ship even more so. I find it far more efficient to camp out on a planet, and kill the aliens there. After researching the t3 versions of the alien abilities I use, I just scrap the research lab to free up power and build space.

Would be nice if there was a Harvester upgrade that added a containment cell, so you could capture aliens while planetside.