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Disambiguous This article is about Research in Mass Effect: Andromeda. For Research in Mass Effect 2, see Research.
MEA Research Terminal

Research in the Andromeda Galaxy allows Pathfinder Ryder to develop new equipment or to improve existing equipment by unlocking obtained blueprints with research data.

Overview[]

Research is the first portion of creating items and Development is the second portion that actually creates that item. The research screen can be accessed via the Research Center aboard the Tempest, Nexus, certain Forward Stations, or in established outposts on the Golden Worlds.

Blueprints[]

Blueprints are used for developing new weapons, armor, augmentations, ND1 Nomad upgrades, and special items in Mass Effect: Andromeda.

MEA Armors - Research
MEA Weapons - Research
MEA Nomad Mods
MEA Special Items - Research

Blueprints are divided in several categories in the research screen:

Blueprints can be unlocked in research centers by:

  • spending research data
  • purchasing from merchants
  • receiving as a mission requirement
  • completing a mission
  • automatically as Ryder reaches certain levels (Refer to specific item articles for exact level requirements)

Blueprints have to be unlocked in order. The lower Rank of a blueprint has to be unlocked first before higher versions can be researched. Rank I, then II, and so on.

Blueprints have level requirements. Higher Rank blueprints require Ryder to have increasing levels before the blueprint can be unlocked. Blueprints will list level requirements required (if not met yet).

Augmentation blueprints have only one Rank. When Ryder researches an augmentation, Ryder receives one copy of the augmentation immediately but more importantly, the augmentation will now be available for Ryder to find out in the world. Note: Until Ryder researches an augmentation, the augmentation will NOT be found out in the world.

Gear from unlocked blueprints can be built via the development screen by using the necessary resources.

Blueprints do not count towards the Inventory item limit.

Higher Level Blueprints[]

Because each folder of blueprints for an item can show only five Ranks, Ranks above V do not appear in the same folder after Rank V has been unlocked. Instead, a new Advanced folder that set of blueprint appears in the list for Ranks VI-X.

A Rank VI-X blueprint is only unlocked when Pathfinder Ryder meets the following conditions:

  • Each Rank of the blueprint has to be unlocked up to Rank V. The five blue bars to the right of the blueprint name will be highlighted.
  • Ryder has to meet the Level Requirements of the specific item to obtain the Rank VI blueprint.

Once both of these requirements have been met, a new folder for the item in question will be created with Advanced in front of name. This is where Rank VI-X blueprints for an item reside. Five additional empty (dark bars) will be available.

For example: Ryder has just researched each of the Ruzad shotgun blueprints to Rank V. Pathfinder Ryder is at Level 43. A folder in the research menu will now list Advanced Ruzad and will have the next five blueprints for Ryder to research for the Ruzad.

Research Data (RD)[]

Research data, or RD, is the currency used to purchase upgrade blueprints. The amount of obtained Research Data Ryder has acquired is shown in the research screen or at the bottom of the scanner interface, when the scanner is active.

There are three types of research available:

  • Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Rd icon heleus orange Heleus
  • Rd icon remnant orange Remnant

Research Data (RD) Acquisition[]

RD is obtained by several methods in Mass Effect: Andromeda.

Scanning[]

Ryder gains most of the research data that can be found by using the scanner. Ryder should scan everything in a new environment to search for research data.

For detailed mechanics, see Scanner (Mass Effect: Andromeda).
  • If an item awards RD, the applicable RD icon will flash and light up gold colored, expand in size for a quick moment, and then the total RD amount will increase. Large amounts of RD (50 or 100) will show on screen as a displayed reward. Lower amounts will not show on screen.
  • Not everything that turns orange when initially scanned will award RD. Most of the time this is true and RD is awarded but not always.
  • Make sure to jump up on top of buildings (or other high places). Lots of items are hidden on the top of buildings which are out of line-of-sight that can be scanned for RD.
  • Look under and around items for scanning opportunities as well. There are lots of places that items have been hidden that are just out of line-of-sight but yield large RD when scanned.
  • Don't assume that scanning one item means that the item is forever known to Ryder from now on. Sometimes multiple items of the same type can be scanned in the same location and each one will give RD. The same item to be scanned in a different location or on another planet may also be able to be scanned again for additional RD.

Cryo Pod Perks[]

Research Data is acquired/affected by several of the Science cryo pod perks.

Strike Team APEX Missions[]

Successful Strike Teams APEX missions will be rewarded with 30 research data points from one of the three types of research data.

Research Data (RD) Required[]

The total amount of each Research Data (RD) listed is the amount of that RD to research every Rank for all of the items listed.

Refer to each individual item page for details on the specific research requirements for that item.

Name Rd icon milkyway orange
M-25 Hornet 1925
M-37 Falcon 1925
M-90 Indra 1925
Aerial Lubricant 50
Aerial Performance Optimizer 50
Aerial Stabilizer 50
Asari Sword 2625
Black Widow 2625
Charger 1450
Cyclone 1450
Electrical Conduits 200
Equilibrium Regulator 50
Grenade Launcher 200
HyperGuardian Arms 575
HyperGuardian Chest 1150
HyperGuardian Helmet 575
HyperGuardian Legs 575
Krogan Hammer 1925
N7 Arms 575
N7 Chest 1450
N7 Crusader 2625
N7 Eagle 2625
N7 Helmet 575
N7 Hurricane 2625
N7 Legs 575
N7 Piranha 1925
N7 Valiant 2625
N7 Valkyrie 2625
Rebalanced Field Coils 50
Reegar Carbine 1925
Revenant 1925
Ruzad 1450
Sandstorm 1925
Scorpion 1925
Sidewinder 1925
Sticky Grenade Launcher 200
Talon 1925
Vanquisher 1925
Vintage Heat Sink 200
Venom 1925
X5 Ghost 1925
Total 56775
Name Rd icon heleus orange
Angaran Firaan 1450
Angaran Arms 575
Angaran Chest 1150
Angaran Helmet 575
Angaran Legs 575
Battlefield Assist Module 50
Bio-Converter 50
Concentration Module 50
Coolant Unit 50
Dhan 2625
Electric Firaan 1925
Heleus Armor 3650
Heleus Helmet 1150
Hesh 1925
Isharay 1925
Kett Carfalon 1925
Kett Arms 725
Kett Chest 1450
Kett Helmet 725
Kett Legs 725
Kett Vakarsh 2625
Lanat 1925
Naladen 2625
Plasma Charge System 200
Ricochet System 100
Rozerad 2625
Seeking Plasma System 100
Soned 2625
Thokin 1925
Ushior 2625
Zalkin 1925
Total 42665
Name Rd icon remnant orange
Beam Emitter 200
Cryo Condenser 50
Equalizer 1925
Heat Inducer 50
Inferno 2625
P.A.W. 2625
Power Booster 100
Remnant Cryo-Gauntlet 2625
Remnant Arms 725
Remnant Chest 1450
Remnant Helmet 725
Remnant Legs 725
Scattershot 2625
Shadow 1925
Shield Disruptor 50
Shield Oscillator 200
Shield Sensors 50
Sweeper 1925
Total 20600

Research Data (RD) Rewards[]

Mission Rewards[]

For missions that award Research Data (RD), see Mission Rewards.

Tempest Scanning Rewards[]

For scanning that awards Research Data (RD) using the Tempest, see Tempest Scanning Rewards.
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