🔬 Pick the next research goal
Open the technology you want in the Lab. Write down the target level, the missing prerequisites and the next benefit you can use. If a Lab upgrade or earlier technology is required, include it in your plan before budgeting the target.
| Your situation | What to prioritize | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| You are blocked by an unlock | The shortest available path to that unlock | Lab level, prerequisite technologies and materials for each step |
| You spend most sessions developing the prison | A development or economy bonus you will use regularly | Whether the bonus affects the activity consuming the most time or resources |
| Your main formation needs more damage | Military research that applies to its troops | Troop type, actual effect and what the battle report shows |
| Your formation loses troops too early | A relevant survival improvement | Which troops are taking losses and which bonus applies to them |
🧭 Budget the whole path
Start at the target and work backward through every requirement. Then put the missing steps in execution order. Check the cost and timer of each step in your current client. Track resources and speedups separately so you can see which one is holding you back.
Example: You want a military technology, but it requires one earlier technology and a Lab upgrade. If you can finish the earlier technology today but cannot pay for the Lab upgrade, rushing the timer will leave the target locked. Use the wait to prepare the missing materials.
⏳ Decide whether to finish now
| Before using speedups | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Is the next step ready? | Check the required materials, Lab level and prerequisites. |
| Will finishing early help? | Check whether you can start another useful research or use the bonus for an activity you have planned. |
| Is an event involved? | Read the scoring rules and deadline. Starting, finishing and spending speedups may count differently. |
| How much time needs to come off? | Read the remaining time after any reductions already applied and use an applicable speedup type. |
When you will be offline for several hours, consider a longer useful research if it fits your plan. When you are active, shorter prerequisites can be easier to follow with the next step. Keep some speedups in reserve for a named goal and use them when they solve the actual bottleneck.
✅ Set one research target for your next login
Write down the target, the first missing requirement and what you need to start it. After the upgrade, check the result that matters to your goal. That might be a feature unlocking, a shorter activity time or a better result in comparable battle reports.
🔎 See more research planning tips
Research for a damage or defense formation
For a Shooter-heavy formation, check whether the bonus applies to Shooters and to the activity you play. If the formation loses its front line before its main damage comes through, check survival before spending on more offense. Use similar opponents, troop ratios and active bonuses when comparing reports.
Planning for an event
Pick a reachable reward and set a spending limit before starting. Check whether the planned research actually scores during the current stage. If the next milestone exceeds your limit, keep the remaining resources for your next unlock.
Regular Lab and Forticlad Lab
Check which building and technology panel your target uses. The Forticlad Lab has a separate calculator. Compare its estimate with the requirements in your client before committing materials.