In Dungeon Settlers, research is one of the biggest parts of progression because it determines what new buildings, crafting stations, equipment, weapons, food, storage options, and housing upgrades we can access. Simply gathering resources is not enough—we also need to unlock the right technologies before our settlement can properly grow.
In this post, I’ll take you through the complete Dungeon Settlers research tree, including every research tier, its workload, Tech Book requirements, prerequisites, and the important things it unlocks. If you are wondering which research you should prioritize first, this will also help you understand how the different branches connect.
The research system has multiple progression paths, so we don’t necessarily need to unlock everything immediately. Some technologies focus on combat and equipment, while others improve housing, food production, storage, farming, or advanced crafting. Let’s go through every research option and see exactly what each one does.
Dungeon Settlers Research Guide – Requirements & Unlocks
The Dungeon Settlers research tree contains 31 research technologies divided across multiple tiers.
Each research entry has a few important requirements:
- Research Tier – Determines the progression level of the technology.
- Research Workload – The amount of research work required.
- Tech Books – Higher-tier technologies require Tech Books matching their tier.
- Prerequisites – Some research must be completed before another technology becomes available.
- Unlocks – These are the buildings, items, weapons, equipment, and other content gained from completing the research.
The workload amounts listed below are based on Hard difficulty. Research costs scale depending on Management difficulty:
- Easy: x0.34
- Normal: x0.67
- Hard: x1
- Very Hard: x1
- Devastation: x1
The values are rounded and never go below 1.
Tier 1 Research
Wood Processing
Research Workload: 10
Tech Books Required: None
Prerequisite: None
Wood Processing is one of the most important starting technologies. Since wood is such a basic resource during the early stages of the game, I recommend getting this research early.
It unlocks:
- Wood Goddess Statue
- Wood Plank
- Wooden Armor
- Wooden Helmet
Wood Processing also opens the path toward several important upgrades later, including Wooden Housing, Hunting Processing, and Wood Processing II.
Basic Storage
Research Workload: 20
Tech Books Required: None
Prerequisite: None
Basic Storage is another early research that can make settlement management much easier.
It unlocks:
- Equipment Storage
- Cloth Bag
More importantly, Basic Storage leads into several useful branches, including Basic Alchemy, Basic Cuisine, and Textile Processing. If we want to develop our settlement beyond basic resource gathering, this is a valuable early unlock.
Tier 2 Research
Wood Processing II
Research Workload: 100
Tech Books Required: 2× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Wood Processing
Wood Processing II expands our weapon options considerably.
It unlocks:
- Wooden Great Sword
- Wooden Spear
- Wooden Shield
- Bloodwood Great Sword
- Bloodwood Spear
- Bloodwood Shield
This is also an important stepping stone toward Metal Processing, so players looking to move into more advanced equipment and crafting should keep this research on their progression path.
Wooden Housing
Research Workload: 100
Tech Books Required: 2× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Wood Processing
Wooden Housing is focused on improving the appearance and functionality of our settlement.
It unlocks:
- Log Floor
- Wood Bed
- Wood Table
- Wooden Round Table
- Wood Chair
- Round Wooden Chair
- Wood Side Table
- Wooden Wardrobe
- Wood Barrel
- Wooden Crate Pile
This research eventually leads to Bonfire and later housing upgrades, so it is worth progressing through if we want to build a more developed settlement.
Hunting Processing
Research Workload: 100
Tech Books Required: 2× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Wood Processing
Hunting Processing opens an important branch for players interested in gathering and processing materials from creatures.
It unlocks:
- Hunter Workstation
- Repair Stand
- Hide Rug
This technology also leads to Campsite Setup, Bone Processing, and Carapace Processing I, making it one of the more important research choices for combat equipment progression.
Basic Alchemy
Research Workload: 100
Tech Books Required: 2× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Basic Storage
Basic Alchemy unlocks our first major alchemy-related crafting options.
It unlocks:
- Alchemist Workstation
- Small Wooden Bookshelf
- Large Wooden Bookshelf
- Celestial Sphere
Basic Alchemy is especially important because it leads directly into Staff Crafting, which opens another major equipment and elemental progression path.
Basic Cuisine
Research Workload: 100
Tech Books Required: 2× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Basic Storage
Food becomes an increasingly important part of settlement progression, and Basic Cuisine gives us access to the foundation of the cooking branch.
It unlocks:
- Cooking Workstation
From here, we can continue toward Relief Rations, Basic Farming, Basic Monster Cuisine, and Drying.
Textile Processing
Research Workload: 100
Tech Books Required: 2× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Basic Storage
Textile Processing expands both decorative and equipment crafting.
It unlocks:
- Cloth Rug
- Banner
- Banner Stand
- Thick Textile
- Thick Cloth Coif
- Thick Cloth Armor
This is a useful branch if we want more clothing-related equipment and additional decorative options for our settlement.
Tier 3 Research
Bonfire
Research Workload: 400
Tech Books Required: 3× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Wooden Housing
Bonfire adds both functional and settlement-building options.
It unlocks:
- Bonfire
- Card Play Table
Bonfire is particularly important because it is required for Metal Processing and Advanced Wooden Housing.
Campsite Setup
Research Workload: 400
Tech Books Required: 3× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Hunting Processing
Campsite Setup unlocks the basic camping branch.
It unlocks:
- Basic Campsite
- Basic Camping Kit
If we are following the Hunting Processing path, this is the natural next step toward Leather Processing.
Bone Processing
Research Workload: 400
Tech Books Required: 3× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Hunting Processing
Bone Processing unlocks a large collection of bone-based weapons and magical staffs.
It unlocks:
- Bone Stick
- Bone Great Sword
- Bone Spear
- Fire Bone Staff
- Red Crystal Bone Staff
- Water Bone Staff
- Blue Crystal Bone Staff
- Nature Bone Staff
- Green Crystal Bone Staff
This research later leads to Bone Processing II, where we can unlock improved bone armor.
Carapace Processing I
Research Workload: 400
Tech Books Required: 3× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Hunting Processing
Carapace Processing I gives us access to the first set of carapace equipment.
It unlocks:
- Carapace Helmet
- Carapace Armor
- Carapace Sword
- Carapace Club
- Carapace Bow
- Carapace Arrow
This branch continues into Carapace Processing II for additional weapons and shields.
Staff Crafting
Research Workload: 400
Tech Books Required: 3× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Basic Alchemy
Staff Crafting is an important research for elemental and magical equipment progression.
It unlocks:
- Staff Workstation
- Lesser Fire Elemental Stone
- Lesser Water Elemental Stone
- Lesser Nature Elemental Stone
Staff Crafting also opens several Tier 4 technologies, including Dark Thorn Vine Purification, Arcron Processing, and Improved Grass Porridge.
Relief Rations
Research Workload: 400
Tech Books Required: 3× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Basic Cuisine
Relief Rations gives us additional food crafting options.
It unlocks:
- Meat Porridge
- Turnip Porridge
This research is also required later for Improved Grass Porridge.
Basic Farming
Research Workload: 400
Tech Books Required: 3× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Basic Cuisine
Basic Farming allows us to start developing a more structured food production system.
It unlocks:
- Farm
- Wood Fence
If food production is becoming a problem in our settlement, I would consider getting this research relatively early.
Basic Monster Cuisine
Research Workload: 400
Tech Books Required: 3× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Basic Cuisine
Basic Monster Cuisine lets us turn monster-related materials into food.
It unlocks:
- Monster Barbecue
- Slime Pudding
This research eventually leads to Underground Monster Cuisine and the Gloth Egg Omelet.
Tier 4 Research
Metal Processing
Research Workload: 1,000
Tech Books Required: 4× Tech Book
Prerequisites: Wood Processing II and Bonfire
Metal Processing is a major progression milestone.
It unlocks:
- Kiln
- Accessories Workstation
- Pot Pile
- Wooden Cabinet
- Large Wooden Cabinet
- Wooden Wall Shelf
- Potted Plant
This research is required for Casting Processing, making it an important technology for players moving toward advanced crafting.
Advanced Wooden Housing
Research Workload: 1,000
Tech Books Required: 4× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Bonfire
Advanced Wooden Housing significantly expands our building and decoration choices.
It unlocks:
- Lumber Wall
- Lumber Door
- Multiple Plank Floor variations
- Large Wooden Table
- Wood Dining Chair
- Wooden Bench
- Dart Play Board
- Wooden Pillar
This is also the required research before we can move into Stone Housing.
Bone Processing II
Research Workload: 1,000
Tech Books Required: 4× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Bone Processing
Bone Processing II upgrades our bone equipment options.
It unlocks:
- Fortified Bone Helmet
- Fortified Bone Armor
- Fortified Bone Shield
Players already investing in the Bone Processing path should consider this the next major upgrade.
Carapace Processing II
Research Workload: 1,000
Tech Books Required: 4× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Carapace Processing I
Carapace Processing II expands the carapace equipment collection.
It unlocks:
- Carapace Shield
- Carapace Stick
- Carapace Greatsword
- Carapace Spear
- Fire Carapace Staff
- Red Crystal Carapace Staff
- Water Carapace Staff
- Blue Crystal Carapace Staff
- Nature Carapace Staff
- Green Crystal Carapace Staff
This makes the carapace branch a strong option for players who want a wide variety of weapons and elemental staff choices.
Dark Thorn Vine Purification
Research Workload: 1,000
Tech Books Required: 4× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Staff Crafting
Dark Thorn Vine Purification has a more focused unlock.
It unlocks:
- Goddess’s Tears
Its biggest importance in the overall research tree is that it is required before we can unlock Intermediate Storage.
Arcron Processing
Research Workload: 1,000
Tech Books Required: 4× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Staff Crafting
Arcron Processing is one of the larger equipment research unlocks in the game.
It unlocks:
- Arcron Rod
- Arcron Sword
- Arcron Greatsword
- Arcron Spear
- Fire Arcron Staff
- Water Arcron Staff
- Nature Arcron Staff
- Arcron Mace
- Arcron Bow
- Arcron Arrow
- Arcron Helmet
- Arcron Armor
- Arcron Shield
If we want a broad collection of advanced weapons and equipment, this is a major research target.
Improved Grass Porridge
Research Workload: 1,000
Tech Books Required: 4× Tech Book
Prerequisites: Staff Crafting and Relief Rations
Improved Grass Porridge unlocks:
- Improved Grass Porridge
While this is a smaller unlock compared to some other Tier 4 technologies, it gives us another progression option for settlement food.
Drying
Research Workload: 1,000
Tech Books Required: 4× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Basic Cuisine
Drying expands our food preservation and cooking options.
It unlocks:
- Drying Rack
- Jerky
Drying is also required before we can research Improved Cuisine.
Tier 5 Research
Casting Processing
Research Workload: 2,500
Tech Books Required: 5× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Metal Processing
Casting Processing unlocks:
- Casting Workbench
This is the next major step after Metal Processing for players focusing on advanced crafting.
Stone Housing
Research Workload: 2,500
Tech Books Required: 5× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Advanced Wooden Housing
Stone Housing represents a major upgrade to settlement construction.
It unlocks:
- Mason Workstation
- Stone Wall
- Stone Door
- Multiple Stone Floor variations
- Stone Bed
- Stone Table
- Stone Round Table
- Stone Chair
- Stone Side Table
- Stone Wardrobe
Stone Housing also leads directly to Advanced Stone Housing.
Leather Processing
Research Workload: 2,500
Tech Books Required: 5× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Campsite Setup
Leather Processing unlocks:
- Leather Workstation
This continues the hunting and campsite progression branch and gives us access to leather-related crafting possibilities.
Intermediate Storage
Research Workload: 2,500
Tech Books Required: 5× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Dark Thorn Vine Purification
Intermediate Storage provides much better storage options for a growing settlement.
It unlocks:
- Stone Consumable Storage
- Stone Resource Storage
- Stone Equipment Storage
- Pottery Food Storage
- Stone Projectile Storage
Once our settlement starts producing large amounts of resources and equipment, this research can become extremely valuable for keeping everything organized.
Improved Cuisine
Research Workload: 3,300
Tech Books Required: 5× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Drying
Improved Cuisine unlocks:
- Kitchen Cooking Station
This is one of the more expensive Tier 5 research options, requiring 3,300 workload, but it represents the next stage of our cooking progression.
Underground Monster Cuisine
Research Workload: 2,500
Tech Books Required: 5× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Basic Monster Cuisine
Underground Monster Cuisine unlocks:
- Gloth Egg Omelet
Players following the monster food branch will need this research to access this additional recipe.
Tier 6 Research
Advanced Stone Housing
Research Workload: 4,000
Tech Books Required: 5× Tech Book
Prerequisite: Stone Housing
Advanced Stone Housing is the final and most expensive housing research in the current tree.
It unlocks:
- Carpet
- Stone Fireplace
- Large Stone Table
- Stone Dining Chair
- Stone Bench
- Dice Play Table
- Candle Stand
- Lantern Stand
- Stone Pillar
- Multiple Flowerbed variations
With a workload of 4,000, this is a significant investment. However, if we are focused on creating a highly developed and visually impressive settlement, Advanced Stone Housing gives us some of the best building and decoration options available.
Best Research Path to Prioritize First
There isn’t one perfect research order because it depends on how we want to develop our settlement. However, I would generally recommend prioritizing the technologies that solve our immediate problems instead of unlocking research just because it is available.
For a strong early foundation, I would start with:
- Wood Processing
- Basic Storage
- Wooden Housing
- Hunting Processing
- Basic Cuisine
After that, we can choose a direction based on what our settlement needs most.
If we need better weapons and combat equipment, move toward:
- Wood Processing II
- Hunting Processing
- Bone Processing
- Carapace Processing
- Metal Processing
- Arcron Processing
If we want better food production, focus on:
- Basic Cuisine
- Relief Rations
- Basic Farming
- Drying
- Improved Cuisine
For housing and settlement building, follow:
- Wood Processing
- Wooden Housing
- Bonfire
- Advanced Wooden Housing
- Stone Housing
- Advanced Stone Housing
For better storage and organization, work toward:
- Basic Storage
- Basic Alchemy
- Staff Crafting
- Dark Thorn Vine Purification
- Intermediate Storage
The Dungeon Settlers research tree can look overwhelming at first because there are 31 different technologies and several branching progression paths. The good thing is that we don’t need to rush everything at once. I found that it makes more sense to look at what our settlement currently lacks and research the technology that solves that problem.
Early on, Wood Processing and Basic Storage give us a solid foundation. From there, Hunting Processing can help with equipment progression, Basic Cuisine opens food production, and Wooden Housing starts improving our settlement. As we move into higher tiers, the Tech Book requirements and workloads become much more demanding, so choosing the right branch becomes increasingly important.
My biggest recommendation is to plan a few steps ahead. Before spending Tech Books on a research option, check what it eventually unlocks and whether it leads toward something we actually need. That way, we can avoid investing heavily into a branch while another part of our settlement is struggling for food, storage, equipment, or housing.