TL;DR
- Find a research institute on the map — look for the research tree icon when hovering over locations.
- Speak to the lead researcher and give them the item they ask for to unlock the research menu.
- Each project costs Silver and takes real in-game time to complete.
- Some research nodes require prior knowledge — complete nearby quests to unlock them.
- There are multiple research institutes across Pywel, each with unique rewards like stat boosts, blueprints, and dispatch missions.
Research in Crimson Desert is one of the most rewarding systems in the game. It is also one of the easiest to miss. If you are not actively looking for research spots on your map, you will walk right past them. This guide covers everything — how to start, where to find every institute, what each one offers, and tips to spend your Silver wisely.
What Is the Research System in Crimson Desert?
Research lets you invest Silver into a project tree at specific institutes scattered across Pywel. Each project you complete gives you something useful. This includes new crafting blueprints, permanent stat boosts, and new dispatch missions you can send your Greymane companions on.
The key thing to understand is that research takes time. Projects do not finish instantly. They cost Silver upfront and take several in-game hours to complete. You will need to sleep, fast travel, or keep playing while the timer runs. If you want to know how to make money fast to fund these projects, check out our Crimson Desert money guide.
How to Find Research Locations
Open your map and hover over settlements and points of interest. If a location has a research tree icon on it, that means a research institute is there. Head to that location to get started.
Not every town has one. You need to explore and progress through the story to unlock new institutes.
How to Start Researching – The Scholastone Institute
The first research institute you will encounter is at the Scholastone Institute. This is where the game introduces you to the system.
After arriving at Scholastone and dealing with the main quest commotion, head to the Research Institute inside. You will meet a researcher named Grunvar. He is grumpy but helpful.
Grunvar will ask you to bring him a Honey Tea before he agrees to open the research tree. Here is how to get it:
- Craft it yourself at a cauldron by mixing Honey with Water.
- Buy it from a vendor.
- Get it as a drop from certain enemies.
If you already have Honey Tea in your inventory when you speak to him, the quest skips ahead automatically. Hand it over and Grunvar unlocks the research menu for you.
Scholastone Research – What You Can Unlock
Once Grunvar is on board, you can start spending Silver on the Scholastone research tree. One of the most important early unlocks here is the Abyssal Energy Research, which raises your health cap from level 11 all the way to level 18. That makes a huge difference in boss fights. Prioritize this early.
Some research nodes in Scholastone are locked behind knowledge requirements. You have to complete certain quests first before those nodes become available. Here are the ones to look for:
- Cloudcart Research – Complete the Abyss Rocket Device quest first. Observe the structure, then speak to the marked researcher. This unlocks Cloudcart research with Grunvar.
- Skyroot Research – Head to the Skyroot Cultivation Site to unlock this node.
- Abyss Research – Complete the Flow of the Abyss mission to enable it.
You can track all Scholastone quests in the Scholastone Institute section of your journal. Keep an eye on tasks around the area — most locked nodes are tied to nearby quests.
Pororin Village Research Institute
The next research center you can access is in Pororin Village. You cannot just walk in there from the start. First, you need to complete the Unreachable Village quest in Crimson Desert. That quest involves finding the missing Shai children.
Once you arrive, the lead researcher here asks for 5x Lavender to open the research menu. Pororin’s tree offers different rewards from Scholastone, including a way to boost your spirit past its initial cap.
Urdavah Research Institute (Crimson Desert Region)
The Urdavah institute sits in the Crimson Desert region itself. You pass through this palace during the main quest. After finishing that section, find the lead researcher at the bottom of the elevator shaft. Bring 3x Bloodstone to unlock the project tree.
Key rewards from Urdavah include:
- Bioenergy Amplification Research – Increases energy gained from cooking.
- Red Seaweed Research – Raises your stamina cap past its threshold.
- Wind Energy Fusion Device Research – Unlocks dispatch missions to craft the Propeller Spear, Gale Shield, and Air Blaster.
If you are working on your gear alongside research, our Crimson Desert accessories guide and how to get better equipment guide are worth reading too.
Delesyia Research Institutes – Three Locations
Delesyia has three separate research institutes. It is the most research-heavy region in the game. A word of caution — Delesyia is dangerous territory, especially before Chapter 9. Wait until the story brings you there or until you are strong enough to handle the enemies.
Gorthak Ironworks
Located in the northwestern part of Delesyia near the Demeniss border. You unlock access through main story progression. The lead researcher here wants 5x Gunpowder.
Notable rewards include:
- Skilled Workflow Optimization Research – Reduces material waste when crafting.
- Weapon Heat-Treatment Research – Dispatch missions to craft the Flame Spear, Electromagnetic Flame Spitter, and Shotgun Shield.
- Machine Parts Research – Unlocks the ATAG Cannon, ATAG Laser, and ATAG Pincers. Also upgrades Oongka’s Rocket Pack with Vertical Flight.
Delesyia Castle Institute
This institute focuses on defensive and mobility upgrades. Completing its projects gives you access to ATAG Boots for improved movement and the Laser Cannon Spear.
Dewhaven Keep
Located in the southwestern part of Delesyia. This is one of the last institutes you will find. The area is hostile — guards will attack you on sight — so approach carefully or let the story lead you there. The lead researcher needs 1x Diamond to get started.
Key rewards from Dewhaven:
- Electricity – Movement Conversion Mechanism Research – Craft the Lightning Saw and get more Timber while logging.
- Electric Tool Design Research – Craft the Lightning Spear, Electromagnetic Boltspitter, and Quarry Drill.
- Power Joints System Research – Unlocks the ATAG Fist, ATAG Machine Gun, ATAG Flamespitter, and ATAG Welder.
Completing all three Delesyia institutes fully upgrades the ATAG mech into one of the most powerful combat options in the game.
Research Tips – Don’t Waste Your Silver
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you start spending:
Do not skip cheap Row 1 projects. Many of them cost under 15 Silver and finish in 6 to 9 hours. They are prerequisites for the better Row 2 and Row 3 rewards. Skipping them just delays access to the best stuff.
Projects in the same row are independent. You do not need to finish one to start the other in the same row. But any project in a later row requires the one directly above it to be done first.
Late-game projects are expensive. Row 2 and Row 3 projects across all institutes can cost 70 to 130 Silver or more. Build up your reserves before diving deep into any tree. Banking and the Duo card game minigame are among the faster ways to earn Silver. Check out our Duo card game guide for tips.
Projects can get interrupted. If a project stops mid-run, your map will mark the location of the researcher in trouble. Head there and resolve the issue before the project can continue.
Knowledge is required for some nodes. If a research node is greyed out, it is usually locked behind knowledge you have not gathered yet. Look for quests and researchers near the institute. Speaking to them and completing their tasks usually unlocks the node.
Research Rewards Worth Prioritizing
Here is a quick look at the most impactful rewards across all institutes:
| Institute | Key Reward | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Scholastone | Abyssal Energy Research | Raises health cap from 11 to 18 |
| Pororin | Spirit Threshold Boost | Increases spirit past its base cap |
| Urdavah | Stamina Cap Boost | More stamina for combat and exploration |
| Gorthak Ironworks | ATAG Cannon, Laser, Pincers | Full mech combat power |
| Delesyia Castle | ATAG Boots + Laser Cannon Spear | Better mobility and advanced weapons |
| Dewhaven Keep | ATAG Machine Gun + Flamespitter | Strongest offensive mech loadout |
More Crimson Desert Guides
If you are looking to get stronger while your research ticks away, here are some other guides that will help:
- How to increase your attack level
- How to increase your defense level
- How to get skill points
- Best skills to level up first
- Best early build in Crimson Desert
- How to use Contribution Points
- How to gain trust with merchants
For a full look at the game, check out our Crimson Desert review.
Where to Play Crimson Desert
You can pick up Crimson Desert on:
Research in Crimson Desert is a long game. Projects take hours, some nodes take quests to unlock, and the best rewards sit behind expensive late-game trees. But the payoffs are real — permanent stat boosts and powerful gear blueprints that make the rest of the game much more manageable. Keep checking the map for research tree icons as you explore new regions, and always do the cheap Row 1 projects first before chasing the big unlocks.
