Starbase research is the Cardassian and Assault branch, tied to Deep Space Nine and Cardassian Space content. Nearly every node targets Cardassian armada targets or the Assault game mode, so its value depends entirely on whether you run that content. This page lists every starbase research with what it does, the Operations level it unlocks at, the number of levels, the cost to max, the research time, and prerequisites.
What Starbase research does
The tree splits into two jobs. The Cardassian armada lines (anti-proton scans, Cardassian armor schematics, battleship plasma conduits, and armada attack patterns) raise your piercing, damage, and critical damage specifically against Cardassian armada targets, and are strong if you grind them. The Assault lines improve your officers‘ defense and your ships’ damage during Assault, plus ship XP from those fights. If you are working DS9 and Cardassian Space, this tree is high value, so push the armada damage and piercing lines first. If you are not in that content yet, most of it can wait, since the buffs do not apply outside it.
Every Starbase research
All 53 research projects, sorted by unlock level (most projects gate on your R&D Department; some use Operations or another building). Cost to max is the full resource total across every level. Research time is the base time before your research-speed bonuses, which cut it heavily in play, so treat it as a relative gauge between projects rather than a real-world clock.
| Research | What it does | Unlocks at (building level) | Research levels | Base research time to max | Cost to max | Prerequisites to max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Tactical Analysis | Increases the amount of ship XP gained when defeating hostiles. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 5.5 yr | 771.9M Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Cardassian Armor Schematics, Territory Piercing |
| Anti-Proton Scans | Increases all base Piercing stats against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 16.3 yr | 85.6B Dilithium, 63.9K Assembly Medals | Plasma Conduits |
| Armada Attack Patterns | Increases Critical Hit Damage against all Armada Targets | Assembly Chambers 1 | 5 | 4.4 yr | 9.1B Dilithium, 8.7K Assembly Medals | Federation Liberation, Klingon Domination, Romulan Expansion |
| Assembly Medal Efficiency | Increases the base cost efficiency of Assembly Medals for research | R&D 25, Diplomatic Relations 1 | 10 | 4.1 yr | 2.7B Dilithium, 36.8K Assembly Medals | Territory Piercing |
| Bajoran Inspiration | Increases the base Defense of officers during an Assault. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 5 | 355.3 d | 52.2M Dilithium, 7.8K Assembly Medals | Advanced Tactical Analysis |
| Battleship Plasma Conduits | Increases base Weapon Damage for Battleships against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 4.1 yr | 4.1B Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Armada Attack Patterns |
| Cardassian Armor Schematics | Increases the base Armor Penetration, Shield Penetration and Accuracy of your ships during an Assault. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 12.2 yr | 9.8B Dilithium, 78.2K Assembly Medals | Cardassian Assault Damage, Iso-Emulsion Efficiency |
| Cardassian Assault Damage | Increases the Weapon Damage of your ships during an Assault. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 12.2 yr | 9.8B Dilithium, 78.2K Assembly Medals | Cardassian Station Mitigation, Territory Mitigation |
| Cardassian Cargo Plans | Increases the amount of Uncommon Armada Credits earned | Diplomatic Relations 1 | 5 | 3 yr | 318.2M Dilithium, 9.5K Assembly Medals | Interceptor Plasma Conduits, Explorer Plasma Conduits, Battleship Plasma Conduits |
| Cardassian Station Mitigation | Increases all base Mitigation stats against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 16.3 yr | 85.6B Dilithium, 63.9K Assembly Medals | Anti-Proton Scans, Plasma Conduits |
| Cardassian Supply Routes | Increases the amount of Rare Armada Credits earned | Diplomatic Relations 1 | 5 | 3 yr | 318.2M Dilithium, 10.4K Assembly Medals | O’Brien’s Ingenuity, Gowron’s Ambition, T’Rul’s Vigilance, Cardassian Cargo Plans |
| Cardassian Weakpoints | Increases the Critical Hit Damage of your ships during an Assault. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 5 | 7.2 yr | 4.2B Dilithium, 10.4K Assembly Medals | Cardassian Station Mitigation, Territory Mitigation |
| Component Duplicator | Improves the base cost efficiency of ship parts for components. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 5 | 1.9 yr | 110.3M Dilithium, 10.4K Assembly Medals | Resistance Defensive Maneuvers, Territory Piercing |
| Concentrated Latinum Scanners | Increases the base Mining Rate of Concentrated Latinum for the D’vor Feesha | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 9.2 yr | 26.5B Dilithium, 30.7K Assembly Medals | Uncommon Exchange Plans, Cardassian Cargo Plans |
| Crystal Efficiency | Increases the base cost efficiency of Crystal for research | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 5 | 2.3 yr | 409.7M Dilithium, 9.5K Assembly Medals | Cardassian Supply Routes, Gas Efficiency |
| Epic Armada Credits | Increases the amount of Epic Armada Credits earned | R&D 25, Diplomatic Relations 1 | 5 | 3 yr | 318.2M Dilithium, 10.4K Assembly Medals | Romulan Vulnerabilities, Cardassian Supply Routes |
| Epic Exchange Plans | Increases the amount of Epic Exchange Vault Loot earned | R&D 25, Diplomatic Relations 1 | 5 | 3 yr | 318.2M Dilithium, 10.4K Assembly Medals | Romulan Vulnerabilities, Rare Exchange Plans |
| Explorer Plasma Conduits | Increases base Weapon Damage for Explorers against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 4.1 yr | 4.1B Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Armada Attack Patterns |
| Federation Analysis | Increases the base Shield Deflection, Armor and Dodge against Federation player ships. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 24.8 yr | 40.2B Dilithium, 71K Assembly Medals | Rare Exchange Plans |
| Federation Liberation | Increases base Weapon Damage dealt by Federation ships during a Territory Capture Takeover. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 8.1 yr | 23B Dilithium, 30.7K Assembly Medals | Assembly Medal Efficiency, Territory Piercing, Territory Mitigation |
| Federation Vulnerabilities | Increases all base Piercing stats against Federation player ships | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 8 yr | 6.9B Dilithium, 63.9K Assembly Medals | Rare Exchange Plans |
| Gas Efficiency | Increases the base cost efficiency of Gas for research | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 5 | 2.3 yr | 409.7M Dilithium, 9.5K Assembly Medals | Cardassian Supply Routes, Ore Efficiency |
| Gowron’s Ambition | Increases all base Mitigation stats for Klingon ships against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 3.8 yr | 492.2M Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Martok’s Valor |
| Increased Cardassian Loot | Increases the amount of Cardassian Loot and Superior Cardassian Loot earned | R&D 25, Diplomatic Relations 1 | 5 | 3 yr | 318.2M Dilithium, 10.4K Assembly Medals | Cardassian Cargo Plans, Uncommon Exchange Plans |
| Interceptor Plasma Conduits | Increases base Weapon Damage for Interceptors against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 4.1 yr | 4.1B Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Armada Attack Patterns |
| Iso-Emulsion Efficiency | Increase Iso-emulsion cost efficiency in the Territory Tree | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 5 | 6.4 yr | 16.1B Dilithium, 10.4K Assembly Medals | Territory Mitigation, Isogen Scanners |
| Isogen Scanners | Increases the base Mining Rate of all grades of Isogen for the Meridian | R&D 25, Diplomatic Relations 1 | 10 | 8.3 yr | 6.9B Dilithium, 30.7K Assembly Medals | Plasma Conduits |
| Klingon Analysis | Increases the base Shield Deflection, Armor and Dodge against Klingon player ships. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 24.8 yr | 40.2B Dilithium, 71K Assembly Medals | Federation Analysis, Rare Exchange Plans |
| Klingon Domination | Increases base Weapon Damage dealt by Klingon ships during a Territory Capture Takeover. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 8.1 yr | 23B Dilithium, 30.7K Assembly Medals | Assembly Medal Efficiency, Territory Piercing, Territory Mitigation |
| Klingon Vulnerabilities | Increases all base Piercing stats against Klingon player ships | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 8 yr | 6.9B Dilithium, 63.9K Assembly Medals | Federation Vulnerabilities |
| Martok’s Valor | Increases all base Piercing stats for Klingon ships against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 3.9 yr | 1.9B Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Increased Cardassian Loot, Gowron’s Ambition |
| O’Brien’s Ingenuity | Increases all base Mitigation stats for Federation ships against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 3.8 yr | 492.2M Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Sisko’s Tenacity |
| Ore Efficiency | Increases the base cost efficiency of Ore for research | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 5 | 2.3 yr | 409.7M Dilithium, 9.5K Assembly Medals | Cardassian Supply Routes, Crystal Efficiency |
| Plasma Conduits | Increases base Weapon Damage against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 16.3 yr | 85.6B Dilithium, 71K Assembly Medals | None |
| Platform Hull Reinforcement | Increases the base Hull Health of Defense Platforms. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 22.5 yr | 82.7B Dilithium, 70.7K Assembly Medals | Platform Shield Overclocking, Rare Exchange Plans |
| Platform Shield Overclocking | Increases the base Shield Health of Defense Platforms. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 22.5 yr | 82.7B Dilithium, 70.7K Assembly Medals | Rare Exchange Plans |
| Prime Ablative Armor Plating | Increases Hull Health for all ships. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 1 | 45.1 d | 1K Prime Medal, 33.4M Dilithium | None |
| Prime Alliance Fist | Increases base damage during an Assault | R&D 26, Assembly Chambers 1 | 1 | 2.6 d | 500 Prime Medal, 5M Dilithium | None |
| Prime Alliance Reputation | Increases the amount of Alliance Reputation earned when defeating Cardassian Stations | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 1 | 45.1 d | 500 Prime Medal, 33.4M Dilithium | None |
| Prime Cardassian Loot | Increases the amount of Cardassian Loot and Superior Cardassian Loot earned | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 1 | 103.6 d | 1K Prime Medal, 115.9M Dilithium | None |
| Prime Enhanced Shield Buffers | Increases Shield Health for all ships. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 1 | 45.1 d | 1K Prime Medal, 33.4M Dilithium | None |
| Rally the Resistance | Increases the base Attack of officers during an Assault. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 5 | 355.3 d | 52.2M Dilithium, 7.8K Assembly Medals | Component Duplicator |
| Rare Exchange Plans | Increases the amount of Rare Exchange Vault Loot earned | Diplomatic Relations 1 | 5 | 3 yr | 318.2M Dilithium, 10.4K Assembly Medals | Crystal Efficiency, Gas Efficiency, Ore Efficiency, Uncommon Exchange Plans |
| Resistance Defensive Maneuvers | Increases the base Shield Deflection, Armor and Dodge of your ships during an Assault. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 12.2 yr | 9.8B Dilithium, 78.2K Assembly Medals | Cardassian Weakpoints, Iso-Emulsion Efficiency |
| Romulan Analysis | Increases the base Shield Deflection, Armor and Dodge against Romulan player ships. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 24.8 yr | 40.4B Dilithium, 71K Assembly Medals | Klingon Analysis, Rare Exchange Plans |
| Romulan Expansion | Increases base Weapon Damage dealt by Romulan ships during a Territory Capture Takeover. | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 8.1 yr | 23B Dilithium, 30.7K Assembly Medals | Assembly Medal Efficiency, Territory Piercing, Territory Mitigation |
| Romulan Vulnerabilities | Increases all base Piercing stats against Romulan player ships | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 15 | 8 yr | 6.9B Dilithium, 63.9K Assembly Medals | Klingon Vulnerabilities |
| Sisko’s Tenacity | Increases all base Piercing stats for Federation ships against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 3.9 yr | 1.9B Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Increased Cardassian Loot, O’Brien’s Ingenuity |
| T’Rul’s Vigilance | Increases all base Mitigation stats for Romulan ships against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 3.8 yr | 492.2M Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Tomalak’s Fury |
| Territory Mitigation | Increases all base Mitigation stats during a Territory Capture Takeover | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 13.9 yr | 56.1B Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Cardassian Station Mitigation, Territory Piercing |
| Territory Piercing | Increases all base Piercing stats during a Territory Capture Takeover | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 13.9 yr | 56.1B Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Iso-Emulsion Efficiency, Territory Mitigation |
| Tomalak’s Fury | Increases all base Piercing stats for Romulan ships against Cardassian Armada Targets | R&D 25, Assembly Chambers 1 | 10 | 3.9 yr | 1.9B Dilithium, 27.6K Assembly Medals | Increased Cardassian Loot, T’Rul’s Vigilance |
| Uncommon Exchange Plans | Increases the amount of Uncommon Exchange Vault Loot earned | Diplomatic Relations 1 | 5 | 3 yr | 318.2M Dilithium, 9.5K Assembly Medals | Interceptor Plasma Conduits, Explorer Plasma Conduits, Battleship Plasma Conduits |