Research Lab
Complete guide to the Palworld 1.0 Research Lab: a second tech tree paid by work suitability instead of player level, with 168 nodes across 9 work types, 69 required nodes, and 10 tech unlocks.
The second tech tree powered by work suitability
Overview
The Research Lab is a new 1.0 system that provides a second tech tree separate from the normal player-level tech tree. Instead of spending tech points earned by leveling up, you pay with work suitability — the collective work levels of pals assigned to your base. The tree contains 168 nodes spread across 9 work types, of which 69 are required nodes that must be unlocked to progress. Completing the tree grants 10 powerful tech unlocks that enhance base production, pal abilities, and endgame content.
9 Work Types
The Research Lab tree is divided into 9 work-type branches. Each branch corresponds to a work suitability category, and nodes in that branch are paid for with the combined work levels of pals with that suitability.
- Kindling — fire-related production and smelting upgrades
- Watering — irrigation, power generation, and cooling efficiency
- Planting — farm crop yield and growth speed improvements
- Generating Electricity — generator output and battery capacity
- Handiwork — crafting speed and workstation efficiency
- Lumbering — wood output and lumber mill throughput
- Mining — ore extraction rate and refinery speed
- Medicine Production — medicine crafting and SAN recovery boost
- Cooling — refrigerator preservation and cooling station range
168 Nodes & 69 Required
The full tree has 168 nodes. Of these, 69 are required nodes — mandatory unlocks that must be taken before downstream nodes become available. The remaining 99 are optional nodes that provide supplementary bonuses. You do not need to unlock every node; focus on the branches that match your base strategy.
| Work Type | Nodes | Required | Tech Unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindling | 19 | 8 | Advanced Smelter |
| Watering | 18 | 7 | Irrigation System II |
| Planting | 17 | 7 | Irrigation System II |
| Generating Electricity | 18 | 8 | High-Efficiency Generator |
| Handiwork | 20 | 9 | Master Workbench, Pal Enhancement Chamber |
| Lumbering | 16 | 6 | Reinforced Lumber Mill |
| Mining | 20 | 9 | Deep Core Drill |
| Medicine Production | 18 | 7 | Auto-Pharmacy |
| Cooling | 22 | 8 | Cryo Storage, World Tree Conduit |
Cost Structure
Each node costs work suitability points from the matching work type. The cost scales with node depth and tier.
- Cost is paid from the combined work suitability levels of all pals in your base with the matching work type
- Early nodes cost low work levels; deep nodes require high aggregate suitability (Lv4+ pals, condensed)
- Required nodes (69) must be unlocked in sequence before their branch continues
- Optional nodes can be skipped — focus resources on your core production chain
- Condensing pals raises their work suitability level, reducing the number of pals needed to meet node costs
10 Tech Unlocks
- Advanced Smelter — doubles ingot production speed
- High-Efficiency Generator — triples electricity output per pal
- Irrigation System II — auto-waters all farm plots without pal assignment
- Master Workbench — unlocks Lv5 handiwork recipes
- Reinforced Lumber Mill — +50% wood output
- Deep Core Drill — unlocks mining of rare ore veins
- Auto-Pharmacy — produces medicine automatically from stored materials
- Cryo Storage — extends food and material preservation time by 4×
- Pal Enhancement Chamber — boosts assigned pal work speed by 20%
- World Tree Conduit — endgame unlock linking Research Lab to Awakening system
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Research Lab?
A 1.0 new system: a second tech tree paid by work suitability (the combined work levels of your base pals) instead of player level. It has 168 nodes across 9 work types, 69 required nodes, and 10 tech unlocks.
How is the Research Lab different from the normal tech tree?
The normal tech tree uses tech points from player leveling. The Research Lab uses work suitability — your pals' collective work levels. This means base design and pal condensing directly drive your research progress.
Do I need to unlock all 168 nodes?
No. Only 69 nodes are required to progress through the tree. The other 99 are optional bonuses. Focus on branches matching your base strategy.
How do I pay for nodes?
Each node costs work suitability points from its matching work type. The cost is drawn from the combined work levels of all pals in your base with that suitability. Condensing pals raises their work level, making it easier to meet costs.
What are the 10 tech unlocks?
Advanced Smelter, High-Efficiency Generator, Irrigation System II, Master Workbench, Reinforced Lumber Mill, Deep Core Drill, Auto-Pharmacy, Cryo Storage, Pal Enhancement Chamber, and World Tree Conduit. These provide major production and endgame bonuses.