Research (Mass Effect: Andromeda)

This article is about Research in Mass Effect: Andromeda. For Research in Mass Effect 2, see Research.

Research in the Andromeda Galaxy allows Pathfinder Ryder to develop new equipment or to improve existing equipment by unlocking obtained blueprints with research data.

Overview

Research is the first portion of creating items and Development is the second portion that actually creates that item. The research screen can be accessed via the Research Center aboard the Tempest, Nexus, certain Forward Stations, or in established outposts on the Golden Worlds.

Blueprints

Blueprints are used for developing new weapons, armor, augmentations, ND1 Nomad upgrades, and special items in Mass Effect: Andromeda.

Blueprints are divided in several categories in the research screen:

• Technology Type
  • Milky Way
  • Heleus
  • Remnant
• Gear Type
  • Weapon
  • Armor
  • Augmentation
  • Nomad
  • Special Item

Blueprints can be unlocked in research centers by:

• spending research data
• purchasing from merchants
• receiving as a mission requirement
• completing a mission
• automatically as Ryder reaches certain levels (Refer to specific item articles for exact level requirements)

Blueprints have to be unlocked in order. The lower Rank of a blueprint has to be unlocked first before higher versions can be researched. Rank I, then II, and so on.

Blueprints have level requirements. Higher Rank blueprints require Ryder to have increasing levels before the blueprint can be unlocked. Blueprints will list level requirements required (if not met yet).

Augmentation blueprints have only one Rank. When Ryder researches an augmentation, Ryder receives one copy of the augmentation immediately but more importantly, the augmentation will now be available for Ryder to find out in the world. Note: Until Ryder researches an augmentation, the augmentation will NOT be found out in the world.

Gear from unlocked blueprints can be built via the development screen by using the necessary resources.

Blueprints do not count towards the Inventory item limit.

Higher Level Blueprints

Because each folder of blueprints for an item can show only five Ranks, Ranks above V do not appear in the same folder after Rank V has been unlocked. Instead, a new Advanced folder that set of blueprint appears in the list for Ranks VI-X.

A Rank VI-X blueprint is only unlocked when Pathfinder Ryder meets the following conditions:

• Each Rank of the blueprint has to be unlocked up to Rank V. The five blue bars to the right of the blueprint name will be highlighted.
• Ryder has to meet the Level Requirements of the specific item to obtain the Rank VI blueprint.

Once both of these requirements have been met, a new folder for the item in question will be created with Advanced in front of name. This is where Rank VI-X blueprints for an item reside. Five additional empty (dark bars) will be available.

For example: Ryder has just researched each of the Ruzad shotgun blueprints to Rank V. Pathfinder Ryder is at Level 43. A folder in the research menu will now list Advanced Ruzad and will have the next five blueprints for Ryder to research for the Ruzad.

Research Data (RD)

Research data, or RD, is the currency used to purchase upgrade blueprints. The amount of obtained Research Data Ryder has acquired is shown in the research screen or at the bottom of the scanner interface, when the scanner is active.

There are three types of research available:

• Milky Way
• Heleus
• Remnant

Research Data (RD) Acquisition

RD is obtained by several methods in Mass Effect: Andromeda.

Scanning

Ryder gains most of the research data that can be found by using the scanner. Ryder should scan everything in a new environment to search for research data.

For detailed mechanics, see Scanner (Mass Effect: Andromeda).

• If an item awards RD, the applicable RD icon will flash and light up gold colored, expand in size for a quick moment, and then the total RD amount will increase. Large amounts of RD (50 or 100) will show on screen as a displayed reward. Lower amounts will not show on screen.
• Not everything that turns orange when initially scanned will award RD. Most of the time this is true and RD is awarded but not always.
• Make sure to jump up on top of buildings (or other high places). Lots of items are hidden on the top of buildings which are out of line-of-sight that can be scanned for RD.
• Look under and around items for scanning opportunities as well. There are lots of places that items have been hidden that are just out of line-of-sight but yield large RD when scanned.
• Don't assume that scanning one item means that the item is forever known to Ryder from now on. Sometimes multiple items of the same type can be scanned in the same location and each one will give RD. The same item to be scanned in a different location or on another planet may also be able to be scanned again for additional RD.

Cryo Pod Perks

Research Data is acquired/affected by several of the Science cryo pod perks.

• Accelerated Research - Reduces the amount of time it takes to earn research points.
• Improved Development - Increases Research Data gain from all sources by 10%.
• Improved Development II - Further increases Research Data gain from all sources by an additional 10%, making it a total of 20%.
• Lab Technicians - Earn research points at regular intervals. (Milky Way research data only.)

Strike Team APEX Missions

Successful Strike Teams APEX missions will be rewarded with 30 research data points from one of the three types of research data.

Research Data (RD) Required

The total amount of each Research Data (RD) listed is the amount of that RD to research every Rank for all of the items listed.

Refer to each individual item page for details on the specific research requirements for that item.

Name
M-25 Hornet	1925
M-37 Falcon	1925
M-90 Indra	1925
Aerial Lubricant	50
Aerial Performance Optimizer	50
Aerial Stabilizer	50
Asari Sword	2625
Black Widow	2625
Charger	1450
Cyclone	1450
Electrical Conduits	200
Equilibrium Regulator	50
Grenade Launcher	200
HyperGuardian Arms	575
HyperGuardian Chest	1150
HyperGuardian Helmet	575
HyperGuardian Legs	575
Krogan Hammer	1925
N7 Arms	575
N7 Chest	1450
N7 Crusader	2625
N7 Eagle	2625
N7 Helmet	575
N7 Hurricane	2625
N7 Legs	575
N7 Piranha	1925
N7 Valiant	2625
N7 Valkyrie	2625
Rebalanced Field Coils	50
Reegar Carbine	1925
Revenant	1925
Ruzad	1450
Sandstorm	1925
Scorpion	1925
Sidewinder	1925
Sticky Grenade Launcher	200
Talon	1925
Vanquisher	1925
Vintage Heat Sink	200
Venom	1925
X5 Ghost	1925
Total	56775

Name
Angaran Firaan	1450
Angaran Arms	575
Angaran Chest	1150
Angaran Helmet	575
Angaran Legs	575
Battlefield Assist Module	50
Bio-Converter	50
Concentration Module	50
Coolant Unit	50
Dhan	2625
Electric Firaan	1925
Heleus Armor	3650
Heleus Helmet	1150
Hesh	1925
Isharay	1925
Kett Carfalon	1925
Kett Arms	725
Kett Chest	1450
Kett Helmet	725
Kett Legs	725
Kett Vakarsh	2625
Lanat	1925
Naladen	2625
Plasma Charge System	200
Ricochet System	100
Rozerad	2625
Seeking Plasma System	100
Soned	2625
Thokin	1925
Ushior	2625
Zalkin	1925
Total	42665

Name
Beam Emitter	200
Cryo Condenser	50
Equalizer	1925
Heat Inducer	50
Inferno	2625
P.A.W.	2625
Power Booster	100
Remnant Cryo-Gauntlet	2625
Remnant Arms	725
Remnant Chest	1450
Remnant Helmet	725
Remnant Legs	725
Scattershot	2625
Shadow	1925
Shield Disruptor	50
Shield Oscillator	200
Shield Sensors	50
Sweeper	1925
Total	20600

Research Data (RD) Rewards

Mission Rewards

For missions that award Research Data (RD), see Mission Rewards.

Tempest Scanning Rewards

For scanning that awards Research Data (RD) using the Tempest, see Tempest Scanning Rewards.