EVE Online
EVE Online

Research & Invention

Navigate EVE Online's Research and Invention mechanics. Master Blueprint research and invent Tech 2 (T2) blueprints for advanced module and ship creation.

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Research & Invention

Research and Invention in EVE Online are crucial for any capsuleer looking to delve into the complexities of manufacturing advanced modules, ships, and rigs. This guide will walk you through the process, from basic blueprint research to the more intricate steps of inventing Tech 2 (T2) blueprints.

Understanding Blueprints

Before you can research or invent, you need a Blueprint Original (BPO) or a Blueprint Copy (BPC). BPOs are permanent items that can be researched indefinitely, while BPCs have a limited number of runs and cannot be researched.

  • Blueprint Originals (BPOs): Purchased from NPC stations (often in the "Blueprints" tab of the market) or from other players. These are your foundation for long-term manufacturing and research.
  • Blueprint Copies (BPCs): Created from BPOs or dropped by NPCs. They are consumed after a set number of manufacturing or invention runs.

Researching Blueprint Originals (BPOs)

Researching BPOs improves their efficiency, reducing the materials and time required for manufacturing. There are two primary types of research:

1. Material Efficiency (ME) Research

ME research reduces the amount of raw materials needed to produce an item from a BPO. Each ME level reduces material consumption by a percentage. The maximum ME level for most BPOs is 10.

  • Step 1: Locate a Research Slot: You'll need access to a station or Upwell Structure (Citadel, Engineering Complex, or Raitaru) with a "Material Efficiency Research" slot. You can find these by opening the "Industry" window (Alt + A) and navigating to the "Facilities" tab. Filter by "Material Efficiency Research" to see available locations.
  • Step 2: Start the Research Job:
    1. Drag your desired BPO from your Item Hangar into the "Industry" window.
    2. Select "Material Efficiency Research" from the job type dropdown.
    3. Choose the target ME level. The higher the level, the longer it takes and the more ISK it costs.
    4. Select a facility. Ensure you have the required ISK for the job cost.
    5. Click "Start Job."
  • Strategy Tip: Prioritize ME research for high-volume or high-value items to maximize your profit margins. Reaching ME 10 is often a long-term goal for serious manufacturers.

2. Production Efficiency (PE) Research (Time Efficiency)

PE research (often referred to as Time Efficiency or TE) reduces the time it takes to manufacture an item from a BPO. Each PE level reduces manufacturing time by a percentage. The maximum PE level for most BPOs is 10.

  • Step 1: Locate a Research Slot: Similar to ME research, you'll need a station or Upwell Structure with a "Production Efficiency Research" slot. Use the "Industry" window's "Facilities" tab and filter for "Production Efficiency Research."
  • Step 2: Start the Research Job:
    1. Drag your BPO into the "Industry" window.
    2. Select "Production Efficiency Research" from the job type dropdown.
    3. Choose the target PE level.
    4. Select a facility and ensure you have the necessary ISK.
    5. Click "Start Job."
  • Strategy Tip: PE research is vital for increasing your manufacturing throughput. If you plan to produce many units of an item, investing in PE research will significantly speed up your operations.

Invention: Creating Tech 2 BPCs

Invention is the process of taking a Tech 1 (T1) BPC and attempting to convert it into a Tech 2 (T2) BPC. This is a more complex and often RNG-dependent process, but it's the gateway to manufacturing highly sought-after T2 modules and ships.

Required Skills & Items:

  • Skills:
    • Science (Rank 1x): Improves invention success chance.
    • Research Project Management (Rank 3x): Allows you to run multiple invention jobs simultaneously.
    • Datacore skills (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering): Specific skills required for different item types, affecting invention chance.
    • Encryption Methods (Rank 3x): Improves invention success chance.
  • Items:
    • Tech 1 Blueprint Copy (T1 BPC): The base item you wish to invent. Ensure it has enough runs for the invention attempt.
    • Datacores: Specific datacores are required for each T2 item. These are consumed during the invention process. You can acquire datacores through research agents, market purchases, or exploration. For example, inventing a T2 projectile weapon might require Projectile Weaponry Datacores and Mechanical Engineering Datacores.
    • Decryption & Encryption Interfaces (Optional): These modules can be added to the invention job to modify the success chance and the number of runs on the resulting T2 BPC.
      • Decryption Interfaces: Increase success chance but reduce the number of runs.
      • Encryption Interfaces: Reduce success chance but increase the number of runs.

Invention Walkthrough:

  1. Acquire a T1 BPC: Obtain a T1 BPC of the item you want to invent. For example, if you want to invent a '150mm Light Autocannon II' BPC, you'll need a '150mm Light Autocannon I' BPC.
  2. Gather Datacores: Identify the specific datacores needed for your desired T2 item. You can find this information by right-clicking the T1 BPC, selecting "Show Info," and then navigating to the "Invention" tab. Purchase or acquire the required quantity of each datacore.
  3. Locate an Invention Slot: You need a station or Upwell Structure with an "Invention" slot. Use the "Industry" window (Alt + A) and the "Facilities" tab, filtering by "Invention."
  4. Start the Invention Job:
    1. Drag your T1 BPC into the "Industry" window.
    2. Select "Invention" from the job type dropdown.
    3. The interface will display the required datacores and your current success chance.
    4. Add Interfaces (Optional): If you wish to modify the success chance or runs, drag a Decryption or Encryption Interface into the designated slot. Observe how this affects your success chance and potential output runs.
    5. Select a facility.
    6. Click "Start Job."
  5. Monitor and Claim: Invention jobs take several hours to complete. Once finished, you will receive either a T2 BPC (if successful) or a message indicating failure. Claim your results from the "Industry" window.

Invention Strategies:

  • High Volume, Low Chance: For cheaper T2 items, you might opt for Decryption Interfaces to maximize your success rate, even if it means fewer runs per successful BPC. This allows for more attempts.
  • Low Volume, High Runs: For expensive or rare T2 items, you might use Encryption Interfaces to aim for a higher number of runs on a successful BPC, even with a lower success chance. This reduces the number of times you need to successfully invent.
  • Skill Up: Continuously train your Science, Research Project Management, Datacore, and Encryption Methods skills to improve your base invention success chance and efficiency.
  • Research Agents: Consider running missions for Research Agents to gain Loyalty Points (LP) that can be exchanged for datacores, providing a steady supply for your invention efforts.

Mastering Research and Invention is a long-term endeavor in EVE Online, but the rewards of producing your own advanced equipment can be substantial, offering both significant ISK generation and a deeper understanding of New Eden's industrial backbone.