Warborne: Above Ashes is a dynamic sci-fi MMORPG that blends the intense faction warfare of Foxhole with the deep progression systems of Albion Online. Central to your success as a Driftmaster is the Research Center, a hub that governs long-term progression through real-time upgrades. Efficient research prioritization can make or break your experience, whether you're aiming to dominate in PvP, contribute to faction wars, or optimize resource gathering. With WAA Solarbite, the game's premium currency, playing a key role in accelerating upgrades, understanding the optimal research order is essential for staying competitive. This guide outlines the best research priorities, tips for avoiding common pitfalls, and strategies to maximize your progression based on firsthand gameplay insights and community feedback.

Understanding the Research Center

The Research Center in Warborne: Above Ashes is your tech tree, controlling upgrades for your Driftmaster, Drifters, gear, and resource-gathering capabilities. Unlike many MMOs, research progresses in real-world time, often taking hours or days to complete. This makes strategic planning critical, as a misstep can delay your progression significantly. The Research Center offers upgrades in several categories:

Driftmaster Level: Unlocks higher-tier crafting, gear, and resource nodes.

Drifter Enhancements: Improves stats and abilities for your Drifters (the game's class-like characters).

Resource Gathering: Boosts efficiency for mining Exergy (XRG) and other materials.

Combat Bonuses: Enhances damage, survivability, or utility in PvP and PvE.

Crafting Efficiency: Reduces costs and time for crafting gear and consumables.

Given the time-based nature of research, prioritizing upgrades that provide immediate and long-term benefits is key to staying ahead.

Core Research Priorities

To build a strong foundation, focus on the following research order, tailored to maximize early-game efficiency and long-term dominance:

1. Driftmaster Level Upgrades

The most critical rule in Warborne: Above Ashes is to never delay Driftmaster level upgrades. These upgrades are the backbone of your progression, unlocking access to higher-tier gear, better resource nodes, and advanced research options. Start each new Driftmaster tier as soon as it becomes available, even if it means saving resources to avoid downtime. A higher Driftmaster level amplifies every other system, from crafting to combat, making it the top priority.

Tip: Always check your research queue before logging off to ensure a Driftmaster level upgrade is active. Delays here can set you back days, especially in the competitive environment of faction warfare.

2. Exergy Mining Bot Upgrades

Your Exergy Mining Bot determines how efficiently you collect XRG, the primary currency for research and upgrades. Early investment in mining speed and yield ensures a steady XRG income, which fuels further research and crafting. Match your bot's upgrades to your current map's resource nodes to maximize returns. For example, if you're in a low-tier map, prioritize basic mining upgrades; in higher-tier maps, focus on advanced yields.

Tip: Avoid over-upgrading your bot beyond your current map's capacity, as this can waste resources. Check map requirements in the game's codex to align upgrades effectively.

3. Drifter Attribute Upgrades

Drifters are the heart of your combat capabilities, and enhancing their primary stats (Strength, Agility, or Intelligence) is crucial for both PvP and PvE. Focus on one stat type per Drifter to avoid diluting your build. For example, a Strength-based Drifter like Aegis benefits from tank-focused upgrades, while an Intelligence-based Drifter like Kyra's Frost Mage thrives with crowd-control enhancements. By level 35, you'll likely have access to 5-6 epic armors and 3 epic weapons, so prioritize upgrades that synergize with your chosen playstyle.

Tip: Stick to two main Drifters early on to conserve resources. Use the quick-swap mechanic to test different roles in battles, but focus research on one or two to maximize efficiency.

4. Crafting Efficiency

Crafting efficiency upgrades reduce the cost and time required to create gear, potions, and consumables. These are particularly valuable for players involved in faction warfare, where high-quality gear is essential. Prioritize upgrades that lower Solarbite costs for crafting epic items, as this currency is scarce and critical for progression.

Tip: If you're in a guild, coordinate with teammates to share crafted gear, reducing the need for individual crafting upgrades early on.

5. Combat and Utility Bonuses

Once your core upgrades are underway, invest in combat bonuses like increased damage, health, or skill cooldown reductions. These are especially important for PvP-focused players or those participating in Veinhold Extractions and Rift arenas. For example, Shroud faction players benefit from faster skill cooldowns for ambush tactics, while Ashen players gain from health bonuses for frontline roles.

Tip: Tailor combat upgrades to your faction's strengths and your Drifter's role. For instance, a support Drifter like Solenne benefits from utility-focused upgrades like healing potency.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

New players often fall into traps that can stall their progression. Here are key mistakes to avoid:

Hoarding Currency: Don't let XRG or Solarbite pile up unused. Many players end the playtest with hundreds of unspent tokens, missing out on critical upgrades. Spend strategically on research and crafting to stay competitive.

Neglecting Driftmaster Upgrades: Failing to prioritize Driftmaster level upgrades is the most common error. Always have a level upgrade in progress to avoid falling behind.

Over-Diversifying Drifters: Spreading resources across too many Drifters early on dilutes your effectiveness. Focus on one or two Drifters until you have a surplus of resources.

Ignoring Faction Goals: Some research upgrades are more valuable depending on your faction. For example, Ironcreed players should prioritize research speed, while Sirius players benefit from PvE-focused upgrades. Align your research with your faction's playstyle.

Advanced Tips for Research Optimization

For seasoned players or those aiming for rapid progression, consider these advanced strategies:

Plan Around Playtest Cycles: Since Warborne: Above Ashes operates on month-long playtests, prioritize upgrades that yield immediate benefits early in the cycle. For example, focus on Driftmaster and mining upgrades in the first week to build a resource surplus.

Leverage Guild Coordination: Guilds can pool resources to unlock faction-wide bonuses, such as faster research or better resource yields. Coordinate with your guild to prioritize shared upgrades like turret defenses for Driftmasters.

Use the Auction House: Trade rare items or blueprints for Solarbite to fund research. Early investment in Auction House trading can provide a steady income for upgrades.

Protect Your Driftmaster: Research shielding and turret defenses to safeguard your Driftmaster from siege groups, which can destroy it in minutes. Always carry Driftmare Backup Power bottles to relocate if needed.

Research Order Example

Here's a sample research order for a PvP-focused player in the Ashen faction:

Driftmaster Level 1-3: Unlock basic crafting and resource nodes.

Exergy Mining Bot (Tier 1): Boost XRG collection for early maps.

Strength Attribute Upgrades: Enhance a tank Drifter like Aegis for frontline combat.

Crafting Efficiency (Weapons): Reduce costs for epic weapons like Storm Spear.

Health Bonus: Increase survivability for Ashen's siege-focused playstyle.

Driftmaster Level 4-5: Unlock advanced gear and nodes.

Shielding Defenses: Protect your Driftmaster from sieges.

Adjust this order based on your faction, playstyle, and whether you prioritize PvE or PvP.

Conclusion

Efficient research in Warborne: Above Ashes is about prioritizing upgrades that align with your goals while avoiding delays that can cost days of progress. By focusing on Driftmaster levels, Exergy mining, Drifter enhancements, and faction-specific bonuses, you'll build a strong foundation for success in faction warfare and beyond. Whether you're a solo player or part of a guild, strategic research planning is key to thriving in this post-apocalyptic MMO. To accelerate your progression and unlock powerful upgrades faster, consider options to buy Warborne Above Ashes Solarbite from reputable sources, ensuring you have the resources to dominate the battlefield.