Research Tree
Unlock new technologies to fight the alien threat.
The Research Tree in XCOM: Enemy Within is a system that allows players to unlock new technologies, weapons, and upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Research Tree in XCOM?
It is the branching diagram that lays out every technology your organisation can develop across the campaign, from early-game rifles all the way to plasma weapons and alien-tech armour. Every combat upgrade you ever field traces back to a node on that tree, making it the single most important strategic layer in the game.
How do I generate Research Points in XCOM?
You assign scientists to your base laboratories, and each one produces a set number of points per turn that you then spend to complete nodes. In XCOM 2 the resource was renamed to 'Science' and the lab mechanics shifted slightly, but the core idea of a staffed facility feeding a progression pool remained the same.
Why can't I unlock a technology I want in XCOM?
The tree enforces a strict prerequisite chain, so any given node stays locked until every project listed above it in that branch has been finished. This means you sometimes have to invest in a less exciting intermediate tech before the flashy one even appears as an option.
What does the Research Tree actually unlock in XCOM?
It gates every meaningful upgrade in the campaign: new weapon types, armour tiers, base modules like the Armory or Hangar, and special capabilities such as the Psionic Lab or the Adaptive Armor program. Without completing the relevant branch, those options simply do not exist for your soldiers.
How does the Research Tree differ between XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2?
Enemy Unknown and Enemy Within use a single shared tree where all labs contribute to one common pool, while XCOM 2 splits research into separate branches (Weapons, Armor, Base, etc.) each with its own prerequisite chain. This makes XCOM 2's tree feel more compartmentalised and forces you to prioritise which branch to feed first.
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