The Research skill is one of the biggest account-wide progression systems ever added in IdleOn. Unlike most skills that focus on one activity, Research connects to almost every late-game system — Gaming, Farming, Sailing, Refinery, Spelunking, and more.
This guide explains how the skill works, what the grid upgrades mean, and what you should prioritize first so you don’t waste weeks of progression.
Research is an AFK skill unlocked in Shimmerfin Deep at the Research Desk.
Its main loop revolves around discovering Observations across the world, studying them, and using the experience gained to unlock powerful account-wide bonuses.
Think of it as a permanent progression tree that boosts nearly every other system in the game.
Mechanics
Observations
Observations are hidden discoveries scattered throughout the game.
When you find one:
You roll to unlock it
Higher rolls increase success chance
Unlocked observations can be studied for XP
Each observation acts as a permanent research XP generator.
Magnifying Glasses
Magnifying glasses are used to actively study observations.
The more glasses you have, the more observations you can research at once.
This is one of the biggest early progression bottlenecks.
Research XP and Levels
Studying observations grants Research XP.
As you level:
You gain Research Points
Points are spent on the Research Grid
Higher levels unlock more powerful upgrades
Every 10 levels can also grant extra points through certain grid upgrades.
The Research Grid
The grid is a large upgrade tree divided into tiers.
Each upgrade usually gives two effects:
A direct unlock or bonus
An additional scaling multiplier per level
Multipliers always start at 1x and grow from there.
Most Important Early Unlocks (Priority Order)
If you are starting Research, these should be your first goals.
Boost XP Gains
The fastest progress comes from stacking XP multipliers first.
Key early upgrades include:
All Night Studying for large research XP bonuses.
See ‘Em All for extra XP based on observations discovered.
Takin’ Notes for true XP multipliers.
Focusing on XP first makes every later unlock much easier.
Increase Observation Rolls
You have limited daily chances to discover new observations.
Upgrades like Observationalistic increase daily rolls and provide XP bonuses.
This dramatically speeds up early progression.
Unlock Multiple Research Tools
Early unlocks that increase research efficiency include:
Kaleidoscope for more observation tools
Optical Monocle for Insight XP
Post-it style upgrades that allow researching multiple observations simultaneously
These directly increase your XP generation rate.
Major Mechanics Unlocked Through Research
Research isn’t just about stats — it unlocks entire new gameplay systems.
Sticker Depot (Farming)
Allows Mega Crops to generate stickers that give permanent bonuses.
These stickers provide a new true damage multiplier.
This becomes extremely powerful in late game.
Tiny Cogs System
Generates daily Tiny Cogs used for building rate boosts.
These provide strong account-wide progression speed improvements.
Zuperbits (Gaming Expansion)
Unlocks new Gaming tiers and large bit multipliers.
Important for long-term Gaming scaling.
Mr. Minehead Mini-Game
Unlocks a mine-clearing mini-game that rewards currency and bonuses.
Upgrades improve attempts, damage, and rewards.
Glimbo Trading System
Allows trading items for permanent bonuses.
Provides uses for excess late-game materials.
Polymer Refinery (Tier 3)
Adds a new refinery tab with powerful resources.
Includes cycle speed upgrades and refinery multipliers.
Mid-Game Power Upgrades Worth Targeting
After unlocking core systems, focus on long-term scaling bonuses.
Research Point Efficiency
Pts Every Ten gives extra points every 10 levels.
This significantly improves grid progression.
Talent Level Boosts
Legendary Fever upgrades increase max levels of talents.
These are huge for class power scaling.
Sailing and Sigil Upgrades
Transcendent Artifacts unlock higher artifact tiers.
Eclectic Sigils increase true damage multipliers.
Late-Game Scaling Bonuses
Once you have strong XP income, focus on permanent multipliers.
Crown Synergy Bonuses
Several upgrades scale bonuses based on Rat King crowns.
These boost:
Sticker bonuses
Palette luck
Mega crop growth
True Damage Multipliers
Some upgrades provide stacking true damage multipliers tied to systems like stickers or sigils.
These become massive power sources.