Research guide: permanent upgrades for your economy and army

Buildings are not the only way to grow stronger in Ironbarrow. Research gives you upgrades that never expire, and they keep paying off for as long as you play. This guide explains where research comes from, what you can research and a simple plan for choosing.

The Research Center

Research starts with the Research Center, a building you raise in your capital. It unlocks research and sets how far you can take it. Open the Research page to see the branches, what each one does and what the next level costs.

What pays for it: trophies

Research costs trophies. You earn trophies from slain enemy soldiers, so fighting, even against barbarians, feeds your research. A trophy counter sits in the top bar, so you always know how many you have. Fighting is covered in our guide to barbarian camps and raids.

The branches

There are many branches, and each one improves one part of your game.

• Economy: Forestry (wood), Masonry (stone), Metallurgy (iron), Agronomy (food) and Minting (gold) make each resource grow faster.
• Building and living: Architecture reduces building costs, Civics fits more homes inside the walls, and Logistics improves stacking and storage.
• Army: Tactics makes your army stronger, Provisioning stretches your rations and Drill Sergeants train soldiers faster.
• Hero: Pack Mules give your hero more backpack space. See the hero guide.

What to research first

1. Your weakest resource. If wood is the problem, research Forestry first.
2. Civics and Agronomy. More homes and more food let your city grow, and both help the Population ranking.
3. Architecture. Cheaper buildings help with every upgrade you queue.
4. Army branches when you start clearing camps and want fewer losses.

Tips

• Research is permanent, so there is no wrong choice, only slower ones.
• Fight regularly. Trophies are the fuel, and clearing camps with a hero is a good source.
• Check the Research page before a long break so you spend your trophies. Your city keeps working while you are away, as explained in how Ironbarrow works while you are away.

New to the game? Start with the beginner's guide, then play free.

#research #economy #army