Quick answer
Research Institutes are long-term upgrade hubs. Each one unlocks a local research tree after you bring its chief researcher a specific material. If you only want the practical answer: unlock Scholastone and Urdavah first for max HP and stamina, then add Pororin for gathering value.
All Research Institutes at a glance
| Institute | Region | Map link | Unlock material | Best early value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pororin Research Institute | Hernand | Open map | 5× Lavender | Gathering bonus, alchemy recipes, plant nodes, life-tool dispatch |
| Scholastone Institute | Hernand | Open map | 1× Honey Tea | Abyss Energy Research for maximum HP; Cloudcruiser / flying crafts |
| Urdavah Research Institute | Crimson Desert | Open map | 3× Bloodstone | Red Seaweed Research for maximum stamina; wind devices; gold cave markers |
| Gorthak Ironworks | Delesyia | Open map | 5× Gunpowder | Weapon and mechanical-part dispatch; mining value; ATAG crafts |
| Delesyia Castle Institute | Delesyia | Open map | 3× Copper | Mechanical enemy drops, mercury locations, ATAG Boots, armor materials |
| Dewhaven Keep Institute | Delesyia | Open map | 1× Diamond | Machine Workers, electric weapons, logging value, ATAG tools |
Recommended research priority
- Scholastone 1B — Abyss Energy Research: raises maximum HP and has the biggest combat value early.
- Urdavah 1B — Red Seaweed Research: raises maximum stamina for travel and fighting.
- Pororin 3A — Efficient Gathering: improves long-term plant gathering returns.
- Dewhaven Keep 1B — Chaya Research: opens Machine Worker dispatch value.
- Delesyia Castle 1A — Mechanical Anatomy Research: improves mechanical part drops.
- Gorthak Ironworks 2B — Mechanical Parts Research: important for ATAG and mechanical equipment lines.
Institute details
Pororin Research Institute
- Unlock: 5× Lavender.
- Initial research: Getting Closer to Nature.
- Key projects: Palmar Pill recipe, Wild Ginseng energy research, Palmar Leaf map markers, plant-combination recipes, secret life tools, Efficient Gathering, Reachwood Ruins dispatch.
- Recommendation: prioritize Efficient Gathering first; save the expensive secret-tool research for later.
Scholastone Institute
- Unlock: 1× Honey Tea after the institute main objective.
- Initial research: Abyssal Environment Research.
- Key projects: Faded Abyss Artifact Blueprint, Abyss Energy Research, Cloudcruiser, Skystreaker, ATAG Thrusterpack upgrades, Skyroot research.
- Recommendation: do Abyss Energy Research early because maximum HP is universally useful.
Urdavah Research Institute
- Unlock: 3× Bloodstone.
- Initial research: Desert Lifestyle Research.
- Key projects: cooking-energy bonus, Red Seaweed Research, Propeller Spear / Gale Shield / Air Blaster dispatch, ATAG Plating upgrades, gold cave markers, Accessories of the World Vol. IV.
- Recommendation: Red Seaweed Research is the top pick because stamina affects both travel and combat.
Gorthak Ironworks
- Unlock: 5× Gunpowder after the relevant main objective.
- Initial research: Basic Smelting.
- Key projects: workflow optimization, Taro dispatch, Flame Spear / Shotgun Shield crafts, ATAG Cannon / Laser / Pincers, sulfur and mining efficiency.
- Recommendation: choose 2A/2B for mechanical weapon crafting; choose 3B if you are farming ores.
Delesyia Castle Institute
- Unlock: 3× Copper.
- Initial research: Basic Science Research.
- Key projects: Mechanical Anatomy Research, Laser Cannon Spear dispatch, Disruptor Spear and Frostspitter, ATAG Boots, mercury markers, Plate Armors of the World Vol. IV.
- Recommendation: take Mechanical Anatomy first if you need mechanical parts; take ATAG Boots if mobility is the goal.
Dewhaven Keep Institute
- Unlock: 1× Diamond.
- Initial research: Dewhaven Keep Facility Research.
- Key projects: Lightning Saw, Chaya / Machine Workers, Lightning Spear / Boltspitter / Quarry Drill, ATAG Fist / Machine Gun / Flamespitter / Welder, Razor Clam, Weapons of the World Vol. IV.
- Recommendation: Chaya Research is the best economic unlock; 2A/2B is better for ATAG tool progression.
Notes
Names may differ slightly by localization. The map links point to the six Research Institute markers on our interactive map.
Updated: 2026-04-26. Compiled from in-game marker verification and public research notes.