Garrus Posted May 15, 2024 at 12:51 AM Share Posted May 15, 2024 at 12:51 AM How to Research: A Beginner’s Guide Research is how factions in the wasteland develop new tech, increase their arsenal or upgrade their current one. Whether you're blueprinting a weapon, reverse-engineering tech, or upgrading your infrastructure (deployables), this guide walks you through the entire process. This guide is designed for players who have never done research before. If you’re overwhelmed, don’t worry—we’ll explain it step-by-step. What Is a Research Project? A research project is an in-character (IC) process where people ("researchers") spend time researching, blueprinting and ultimately creating new items/utilities/weapons. It’s not just flavor RP—these projects can lead to tangible benefits for a faction in the form of new stuff, upgrades to said stuff, etc. Basic Rules Summary Minimum Duration of a project: 2 research days (cannot be done in 1 day). Research Days per IRL Day: Max 3 research days per IRL day, across all your projects (exceeding could have your project denied). Each day should strive for an average of 20+ screenshots per day (or less with a paragraph's worth of /me's). /me + /roll: Each action should be rolled on (50+ succeeds), and at least 75% of /me’s must involve a roll. Item possession: You must have the item you're researching physically shown in your screenshots (inventory, hands, etc.) (There are rare exceptions, but that's on a case-by-case basis) Intelligence Requirements: You must meet tiered intelligence thresholds for the project level (see below). Logs: Summarize your research days in a holotape or book. Step-by-Step Breakdown 1. Conceptualize Your Project Ask yourself: What does your faction need? What can we build, repair, or improve? Do we have the items on hand or need to scavenge them? EXAMPLES: ✔ A new faction storage locker ✔ A working chem bench ✔ Upgrading stock of a high end ✔ Increasing the sell price of wasteland stew in your faction's vendor ✔ Blueprinting and reproducing gatling lasers found in the wasteland 2. Choose Your Method Different paths can achieve the same goal: Example Project: Faction Storage Option A: Build simple from scratch. Examine a current locker and blueprint → Gather scrap metal and skeletal frames → Assemble, weld, and reinforce structure → add shelves and lock. Option B: Non-traditional storage, a storage "zone". Designate a spot/room as storage → Design internal storage (food section, armory, etc)→ Resource gathering → Set up secure zones (clean it up, barricade windows, etc)→ Implement tracking or sorting systems (boxes, racks, a checklist or terminal to track it). Option C: Clean up a damaged locker found in the Wastes. RPly find a old damaged storage locker→ Assess if it can be restored → Haul it back to base → Repair, repaint, clean, and retrofit. Option D: (for bigger organized factions) Requesting it be shipped from main base. Designate a spot → Do RP of requesting item (radio, terminal, etc) → Make a holotape on forums about the request → Clean the spot up → Receive it, place it, and confirm that you received it with HQ. All four paths work (and have been done in the past!) —as long as you show enough effort, logic and days. Don't be afraid to think outside the box! 3. Meet the Requirements Intelligence Tiers: Tier INT Needed Team Size Research Examples 1 10+ Solo OK Food, basic utilities, low-tiers 2 20+ Solo OK Drugs, mid-tier weapons/armor 3 50+ 2 people (or 50 INT solo with 0.3x time penalty) High ends, vehicles 4 125+ 3 people (or 65 INT solo with 0.5x time penalty) Very End Projects (VB02s, OBS) Use chems (Mentats, Daddy’O, X-Cell) or INT-boosting gear (Robco Jumpsuits, Glasses) in screenshots to help meet thresholds. 4. Start Researching – The Format Each in-game day should include: Screenshots (average 20+ or fewer if very detailed) /me actions describing what you’re doing (aim for 2 sentences, with failable action to roll with) /rolls to determine success or failure on the said failable action Clear purpose for each step Example Day: Rebuilding a Gauss Rifle Quote /me Laura carefully removes the magnetic accelerator from the Gauss Rifle, using a wrench to unscrew the rusted bolts. She squints through her goggles, sweat running down her forehead. /roll → 42 /me Frustrated by the failure, she tries another tool: a precision cutter. She retrieves it from the toolbox she had nearby and steadies her hand and tries again. /roll → 73 /me She successfully frees the accelerator and places it on a clean towel, marking it in her notebook as “Component A - intact, needs cleaning.” If you fail a roll, you MUST try again differently, if possible. Do not just re-roll the same action without changing your approach, if it can be helped. 5. Special Notes Reverse Engineering: You can research found workbenches, deployables, or machines by interacting with them in RP and breaking them down conceptually. Item Ownership: Must show proof of item use/possession. Ex: testing a weapon, disassembling it, blueprinting it. Faction/Base Logic: If your faction would realistically already have certain resources (e.g., BOS with terminals, wires, circuits, etc), you don’t need to scavenge them. This depends on both your faction and your base setup. Buffs & Bonuses Check Research Rules (linked below) for questions on Buffs. What You Can’t Do You CANNOT research: Personal items (must be assigned to a faction) Legendary or custom-ordered items Restocks 1-time use items (e.g., a single Advanced PA suit) Sabotage without a staff-approved espionage proposal Buffs (stock, stock rate, price, etc) without a staff-approved espionage proposal Sabotage Projects (Advanced) No research boosts allowed whatsoever Must have an approved SC proposal BEFORE you start Only certain objects (deployables-not faction storages- vendors, permaprops) are valid targets Sabotage can include poisoning water wells, removing perma props, or installing irradiating barrels Read Research Rules for more information Example Project: Project Gomorrah Closet Goal: Vault-Tec was hired by House for a faction storage Highlights: Vault-Tec personnel began by scavenging for primarily sheets of metal and and other materials from around the strip and the Vault. The /me's were descriptive and grounded in logical RP: struggles of pulling metal, salvaging hinges, and gathering materials that would be found in a Vault. Several actions involve failures (e.g., unstable doors, failing welding equipment), with re-attempts shown via rolls. Book logs in the end summarize the process. Tips for Success Be creative. Research can be mechanical, scientific, or even social/policy-based. Remember, you are working as a faction with it's own set ideals. Do your /me's from your character’s perspective—You are not a machine. Your thoughts, emotions, etc matter! Plan ahead. You know how many days you need from proposals or research guidelines, write an outline! Example Project Outline: Laser Pistol Quote Day 1: Disassemble the laser pistol, note all weapon components (look up basic weapon anatomy), note materials. Day 2: Create blueprint from everything you noted from day 1, making a design with pictures, step-by-step on assembly, and so on. Day 3: Gather fiber optics (buy some from BM, do last), steel (salvage from Vault storage area), wires (from terminals in storage area). Day 4: Grab a 10mm Pistol, hollow it out (taking all internal components out, leaving only shell) start putting in energy components gathered from Day 3. Day 5: Weapons testing, compare VT made prototype to original one and correct any minor mistakes (calibrate something, screw in something, etc). Day 6: Upload all the notes and finalized blueprint to Overseer's Terminal. Still Confused? If you’re unsure research rules: If you are unsure on what to research or how many days Faction Research Guidelines If you are curious about Perks and how they apply 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts