9. Research Tropico 5 Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Colonial Era

In the Colonial Era, nine new technologies, leading to new buildings, edicts and upgrades, are available.

Some of them are mission objectives. The missions are given by the Crown, as well as the Revolutionaries. Thus, it is advisable to spend some time discovering all the technologies.

The only building that earns research points is Library, which brings only 50 of them, but this should be enough for the technologies. You can always build more Libraries, but you will certainly have problems finding so many geniuses.

The best way is going in that order: The Sickle, Cowboys, The Shovel, Planks, Foremen, Constitution and then the rest. This pattern will allow you to complete all the missions and will speed up the revolution process.

World Wars

Now you have twelve technologies. First industry and electricity appears, which surely needs to be invented.

In this era, you have the option of building a few additional buildings that will earn development points, such as High Schools and Observatories. It is worth it, as the cost rises with every next technical level.

One of the most important technologies is available now - The Compass, which uncovers the whole map and you no longer have to pay for exploration. You should invent it as soon as possible.

It is best to focus on The Compass at the beginning, so the order would go something like this: Electricity, White Flag, Steel, Tanks, The Compass and then Socialism, Accounting, Bribes, Shiny. Or any order that you like.

Cold War

Another twelve technologies. New industry and petrochemical processing appears.

To advance to the next era, you will need either one of the two technologies: Space or Hostile Atom. It is good to focus on reaching one of these goals.

The path should look more or less like this: Oil, Democracy, Flight, Sliced Bread, The Wheel, The Peaceful Atom, and at the very end, one of two - Space or The Hostile Atom.

However, it all depends on how fast your country develops.

Modern Times

The era that lasts the longest has the least technologies. Only six of them.

You should build Science Labs, as they give a lot of research points and upgrade the industry in their vicinity.

The last three are substitutes for research points. After completing them, we get something in exchange for our time. Money on our Swiss Bank Account, money for the country or a free building.

The first option is the most desired, because, for the money on your account, you can improve the skills of your family members. The second and the third are useful when you have difficulty making ends meet.

The path of developing new technologies in this era is free for you to choose, because the vast majority of economy technologies is already invented. Two technologies should draw you attention - Inferiority Complex and Waterworks, as they will enable you to build new, interesting buildings.