Elvenar Research Tree Guide: Mastering Knowledge Points and Technology Progression

Understanding the Research System

The research tree is the backbone of progression in Elvenar, representing your civilization’s technological advancement through 22 chapters. Each technology requires Knowledge Points (KP) to unlock, along with additional resources like Coins, Supplies, and Goods

. Understanding how to efficiently manage your research determines whether your city thrives or stagnates.

Knowledge Points serve as the primary currency for research. You receive 1 KP per hour automatically, up to a maximum of 10 (temporarily extendable to 20 using “Inspiring Meditation” enchantments)

. Additional KPs come from completing World Map encounters, Tournament rewards, Neighborly Help, and investing in other players’ Ancient Wonders

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KP Acquisition: Maximizing Your Research Speed

Automatic Generation

The base KP generation rate is fixed at 1 per hour. For free players, this means 10 KP every 10 hours if you log in regularly to spend them. Missing this window wastes potential progress, making consistent daily engagement crucial

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Active Sources

• World Map Encounters: Each completed encounter awards 1 KP
• Tournament Participation: Higher tournament scores yield significant KP rewards
• Neighborly Help: Daily rewards for helping neighbors include KPs
• Ancient Wonder Investment: Contributing to other players’ Wonders returns KPs when they level
• Events: Ancient Knowledge Instants provide immediate KP injections

Purchasing KPs (Emergency Only)

You can buy KPs with Coins, Supplies, or premium currency. Warning: Each purchase increases the base cost permanently. The formula adds the base cost to subsequent purchases, making this unsustainable for regular use

. Reserve purchased KPs for true emergencies or to prevent wasting automatic generation when your bar is full.

Research Strategy: Short-Term vs. Long-Term

The Technology vs. Wonder Dilemma

Every player faces a strategic choice: invest KPs in research technologies for immediate progression, or contribute to Ancient Wonders for long-term benefits

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Short-Term Strategy (Technology Focus):

• Rapid chapter advancement
• Quick access to new buildings and features
• Faster World Map expansion
• Immediate gameplay variety

Long-Term Strategy (Wonder Investment):

• Compounding benefits over time
• Space efficiency through Wonder bonuses
• Tournament and Spire advantages
• Sustainable resource generation

The Balance: Most experienced players recommend focusing primarily on technology early on, with selective Wonder investment. “Focusing too much on wonders will prevent your progression through the technology tree”

. Consider Wonders only if you encounter progression blocks or have excess KPs.

Chapter Structure and Progression

The Chapter System

Elvenar organizes research into chapters, each telling part of your race’s story and introducing new mechanics. Chapters typically require around 2,000 KPs to complete, with advanced chapters demanding significantly more

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Chapter Completion Requirements:

• Research all mandatory technologies
• Complete province requirements (varies by chapter)
• Build and upgrade chapter-specific structures

Advanced Scouts: Each chapter begins with “Advanced Scouts” technology that bridges to the next chapter. Completing this officially advances your chapter status

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Research Order Flexibility

While many technologies have prerequisites, you often have choices in research order. Strategic sequencing can optimize your progression:

Priority Technologies:

1. Required for Storyline Quests – These gates must be opened to continue
2. Residence/Workshop Upgrades – Increase population and production capacity
3. Trader and Fellowship – Unlock economic and social features
4. Manufacturing Upgrades – Boost goods production for your boosted resources
5. Optional Expansions – Increase city space when needed

Technologies to Postpone:

• Squad Size Upgrades (optional ones) – These increase tournament difficulty without mandatory benefits
• Dead-end technologies – Those not required for chapter progression unless they provide immediate utility

Strategic Research Techniques

The “Filled but Unresearched” Technique

Advanced players keep one technology filled with KPs but not activated for event flexibility. This allows instant completion when events require “research a technology” quests, effectively banking KPs for event currency

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Implementation:

• Fill a non-critical technology to 1 KP below completion
• Leave it pending until needed
• Complete instantly for event credit
• Resume normal research progression

KP Club Strategy (Advanced)

Experienced players join “KP Clubs” – organized groups that systematically level each other’s Ancient Wonders

. This strategy provides:

• High return on investment: Targeted contributions level Wonders faster
• Compounding benefits: Reinvest returned KPs immediately
• Credit system: Established members operate on 50% cash, 50% credit basis

How it works:

1. Designate one Ancient Wonder for targeting
2. Members contribute KPs to fill it
3. When it levels, contributors receive KP rewards
4. Immediately reinvest in next targeted Wonder
5. Track contributions with “Targeting Points” system

The Tech Lock Strategy

Some players intentionally slow research to optimize other aspects:

• Tournament optimization: Lower squad sizes mean easier tournament enemies
• Resource stockpiling: Time to accumulate goods for next chapter
• Wonder leveling: Focus KPs on Wonders without falling behind

However, extended tech locks can stall overall progression. Use strategically, not permanently.

Chapter-Specific Research Priorities

Early Chapters (1-5): Foundation Building

Focus Areas:

• Basic production buildings (Residences, Workshops)
• Trader and Fellowship unlocks
• Initial goods manufacturing
• World Map scouting

Key Technologies:

• Workshop unlock (Chapter 1)
• Neighbourhood (enables Neighborly Help)
• Advanced Scouts for chapter progression

Mid Chapters (6-11): Economic Expansion

Focus Areas:

• Manufacturing upgrades for boosted goods
• Training Grounds and military expansion
• Advanced goods production
• Culture and population optimization

Guest Race Integration: Chapters 6+ introduce Guest Races (Dwarves, Fairies, Orcs) with special settlement buildings. Research these technologies to unlock settlement production and chapter-specific resources

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Late Chapters (12+): Specialization

Focus Areas:

• Sentient Goods (Chapter 12+) – New production types with decay mechanics
• Ancient Wonder optimization
• Tournament and Spire specialization
• Advanced military units

Sentient Goods Research: Chapter 12 introduces new production requiring Divine Seeds. Plan ahead by upgrading manufactories to level 24 before reaching this chapter

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Resource Management for Research

The Cost Structure

Each technology requires three components:

1. Knowledge Points – The primary gate
2. Coins/Supplies – Secondary requirements scaling with chapter
3. Goods – Tier-appropriate goods (Basic, Refined, Precious)

Scaling Costs: Later chapters demand exponentially more resources. Chapter 22 can take a year to complete, with individual technologies requiring hundreds of KPs and millions of Coins

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Pre-Research Stockpiling

Before unlocking expensive technologies:

• Accumulate required Goods through trading
• Ensure Coin and Supply storage capacity (upgrade Main Hall)
• Clear inventory space for potential rewards

The “Resource Production Groups” Strategy: Organize your city into dedicated production zones for each resource type, ensuring steady flow of research materials

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Optimization Metrics and Tracking

KP Rate Calculation

Calculate your effective daily KP accumulation:

• Base generation: 24 KP/day (if spending before cap)
• World Map: Variable based on scouting
• Tournaments: 10-50+ KP/day depending on performance
• Other sources: Neighborly Help, Events, Crafting

Target Rate: Experienced players achieve 60+ KP/day through tournament focus and consistent engagement

. Track this by dividing total chapter KPs by days to complete.

Research Planning Tools

Use external tools or spreadsheets to:

• Track technology costs and prerequisites
• Plan research order based on resource availability
• Coordinate with Fellowship for goods trading
• Monitor chapter progression timelines

Common Research Mistakes to Avoid

1. Wasting KPs on Optional Squad Sizes

Optional Squad Size upgrades increase tournament difficulty without mandatory benefits. Skip these unless specifically needed for World Map progression

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2. Ignoring the “Next Chapter” Preview

Before completing current chapter research, check next chapter’s requirements. Some technologies become more expensive or change function in subsequent chapters

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3. Over-Investing in Wonders Early

While Wonders provide long-term benefits, early game KPs are better spent on technology for faster progression. “Most players… will tell you to focus entirely on the short-term strategy of technology”

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4. Neglecting Resource Requirements

Don’t fill a technology with KPs if you can’t afford the Coin/Supply/Goods unlock cost. This wastes potential KP generation while you scramble for resources

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5. Rushing Without Planning

Blindly researching everything available leads to inefficient city development. Plan your research order based on:

• Immediate building unlocks
• Resource production needs
• Fellowship coordination
• Event timing

Advanced Research Coordination

Fellowship Research Strategy

Coordinate with your Fellowship to:

• Distribute goods requirements across members
• Share KP investment in shared Ancient Wonders
• Align research timing for group benefits
• Plan tournament strategies based on collective research levels

Event Timing

Seasonal events often feature “research a technology” quests. Time your research completions to coincide with these events for bonus rewards. The “filled but unresearched” technique excels here

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Conclusion: The Path to Mastery

Mastering Elvenar’s research tree requires balancing immediate needs with long-term goals. The most successful players maintain consistent KP generation, strategically sequence their research, and adapt their approach as chapters progress.

Remember that research is fundamentally a marathon, not a sprint. With 22 chapters and potentially years of content, sustainable daily engagement trumps rushed advancement. Focus on building a solid foundation in early chapters, optimize your economic engine in mid-game, and specialize for your preferred playstyle in late chapters.