At A Glance
- Prioritize Development research before Military in the early game.
- Focus on technologies that permanently speed up progression.
- Learn the best research order for both free-to-play and paying players.
Research is one of the most overlooked progression systems in Last War: Survival Game, yet it’s also one of the most valuable. Every technology you unlock provides permanent bonuses that continue benefiting your account for the rest of the game.
While upgrading heroes and buildings gives immediate power, research quietly improves nearly every aspect of gameplay, from construction speed and troop strength to gathering efficiency and resource production.
This guide explains the best technology upgrade order, which research provides the biggest return on investment, and how to avoid wasting valuable research time. The recommendations are based on strategies shared by experienced players across Reddit, YouTube, and the wider Last War community.
Why Research Is So Important
Unlike equipment or heroes that may eventually become outdated, technology upgrades remain with your account forever.
A well-developed Research Center helps you:
- Upgrade buildings faster
- Train troops more quickly
- Produce more resources
- Gather faster from the world map
- Improve troop attack and defense
- Increase overall combat power
Every hour invested in research pays dividends throughout your entire journey.
Development Research Should Come First
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is focusing exclusively on military technologies.
While stronger troops are useful, speeding up your entire account is even more valuable.
Development research usually includes bonuses such as:
- Construction Speed
- Research Speed
- Gathering Speed
- Resource Production
- Building Efficiency
These upgrades make every future building, research project, and resource collection faster.
The earlier you unlock them, the greater their long-term impact.
Best Early-Game Research Order
For new players, the following order provides excellent value:
- Construction Speed
- Research Speed
- Gathering Speed
- Food Production
- Steel Production
- Training Speed
- Resource Capacity
These technologies reduce downtime and help you reach higher HQ levels much faster.
Best Mid-Game Research Priorities
Once your economy is stable, begin investing more heavily in military upgrades.
Focus on:
- Troop Attack
- Troop Health
- Troop Defense
- March Capacity
- Rally Improvements
These technologies improve both PvE progression and PvP performance.
At this stage, balancing economy and military research becomes increasingly important.
Best Late-Game Research
As you approach higher HQ levels, research becomes much more expensive.
Prioritize technologies that directly improve your strongest march.
Good late-game investments include:
- Elite troop bonuses
- Advanced combat technologies
- Hero support research
- High-level gathering efficiency
- Event-specific technologies when available
Avoid researching technologies you rarely use simply because they’re available.
Always Keep Research Running
An idle Research Center slows account progression considerably.
Whenever one research project finishes:
- Start another immediately.
- Queue long projects overnight.
- Use shorter research while actively playing.
The goal is to ensure your Research Center is never sitting idle.
Construction Speed Research Is Worth Every Point
If there’s one technology nearly every experienced player recommends prioritizing, it’s Construction Speed.
Every future HQ level takes longer than the last.
Reducing those timers by even a small percentage saves hours—or eventually days—of waiting.
Because every building benefits from this bonus, it’s one of the highest-value investments in the game.
Gathering Research Saves Time
Gathering technologies are often ignored until later.
However, they provide enormous long-term benefits.
Faster gathering means:
- More resources every day
- Less waiting
- Easier HQ upgrades
- Better event performance
If you’re frequently running out of food or steel, improving gathering speed can solve the problem more effectively than upgrading production buildings alone.
Military Research Priorities
Once your economy is well established, shift your focus toward strengthening your army.
A recommended military order is:
- Troop Attack
- Troop Health
- Troop Defense
- March Capacity
- Rally Damage
- Specialized troop improvements
Increasing attack generally offers the most noticeable improvement early, while health and defense become increasingly valuable in longer battles.
Match Research With Events
Construction and research events appear regularly.
Whenever possible:
- Save long research projects.
- Finish expensive technologies during Research Day.
- Use research speed-ups only when bonus rewards are available.
This strategy provides progression while also earning valuable event rewards.
Don’t Forget Your Research Center
Many players upgrade their HQ while neglecting the Research Center itself.
Keeping your Research Center close to your HQ level ensures you’ll always have access to the newest technologies.
Falling behind limits your progression significantly.
Common Research Mistakes
Avoid these common errors.
Ignoring Development Technologies
Military upgrades are exciting, but Development research usually provides greater long-term value during the early game.
Leaving the Research Center Idle
Every hour without active research delays your progress.
Always begin another project immediately after one finishes.
Using Speed-Ups Randomly
Research speed-ups are most valuable during:
- Alliance Duel
- Research events
- Seasonal objectives
Using them strategically often earns additional rewards.
Researching Everything Equally
Not every technology offers the same value.
Prioritize upgrades that benefit your primary goals rather than unlocking every available technology.
Best Research Strategy for Free-to-Play Players
Free-to-play players should focus on efficiency.
A good approach is:
- Max Development technologies first.
- Build a strong economy.
- Transition into Military research.
- Keep research active 24/7.
- Save speed-ups for major events.
This allows you to stay competitive without needing premium purchases.
Final Thoughts
Research is one of the smartest long-term investments you can make in Last War: Survival Game. By prioritizing Development technologies early, maintaining continuous research, and gradually shifting toward Military upgrades as your account grows, you’ll strengthen every aspect of your gameplay.
Remember that every technology provides a permanent benefit. A well-planned research strategy will help you upgrade your HQ faster, gather more resources, build stronger armies, and perform better in both PvE and PvP. Stay consistent, time your upgrades with in-game events, and your account will continue to grow stronger with every completed technology.