They Are Billions Tech Tree Explained And Best Research Path

Navigating the complex tech tree in They Are Billions is one of the most critical aspects of surviving the brutal steampunk campaign mode. Players must carefully allocate their limited research points earned from missions to unlock vital infrastructure, military upgrades, and economic enhancements. Choosing the wrong upgrades early on can completely stall your colony progression and lead to an inevitable defeat against the massive undead hordes.

Prioritizing Early Game Economy Upgrades

Establishing a robust economic foundation during the opening missions ensures you have enough resources to scale production quickly. Focusing on early logistics upgrades like the farm and efficient housing unlocks allows your colony to grow without hitting sudden food bottlenecks. Maximizing your early gold generation allows you to hire additional defenders to secure expanding borders before larger waves begin to arrive.

Investing early research points into energy infrastructure is another excellent way to maintain a smooth building loop. Unlocking advanced power systems early ensures you do not waste precious building space on lower-tier generators. Building a stable resource pool early gives you the flexibility needed to shift toward military production when the difficulty spikes.

Unlocking Essential Defensive Structures

As the infected population grows increasingly aggressive, relying purely on basic patrols becomes a dangerous liability. Unlocking sturdier wooden walls and specialized watchtowers gives your rangers and soldiers a significant tactical advantage when holding choke points. Ballista turrets serve as an indispensable early asset that can independently clear small groups of roaming zombies.

Transitioning toward iron-tier defenses like stone walls and shocking towers becomes mandatory as you venture into high-threat zones. These structural upgrades provide the necessary durability to withstand massive waves while your mobile forces reposition. Securing these vital chokes allows you to comfortably focus on exploring the outer edges of the map for hidden resource caches.

Optimizing the Ultimate Military Path

Building a powerful army requires balancing low-cost scouting units with heavy damage dealers capable of clearing entire map quadrants. While starting rangers are excellent for silent exploration, shifting production toward armored soldiers provides the raw firepower needed for mid-game survival. Upgrading your infantry damage output helps your frontline veterans hold their ground without constantly needing to retreat.

For late-game scenarios, rushing the technologies required for snipers and massive automated units is widely considered the most reliable strategy. Snipers excel at neutralizing high-priority infected targets before they can breach your defensive perimeters. Combining static turret systems with mobile squads of long-range heavy hitters creates an impenetrable defense against final swarms.

Final Verdict on the Best Research Route

The absolute best research path seamlessly blends early economic flexibility with robust late-game military scaling. Neglecting your resource structures to rush advanced units usually leaves your colony starving for energy and gold. Conversely, focusing purely on industrial upgrades will leave your borders completely vulnerable to sudden infected breaches.

Ultimately, successful commanders adapt their tech tree choices to match the specific geographical challenges of the upcoming campaign map. Prioritizing foundational economy, moving into automated static turrets, and finishing with an army of veteran snipers remains the gold standard for survival. Balancing your upgrades ensures your colony remains highly productive while keeping the relentless infected threats at bay.