Research Data
You can help Mass Effect: Andromeda Wiki by uploading an image for this article: Top right picture - placeholder for the image.
If the image request has been addressed, please edit this page and remove this notice. It will start with |
If the image request has been addressed, please edit this page and remove this notice. It will start with
{{Imageneeded
and end with }}
.![]() |
This article is a stub. You can help Mass Effect: Andromeda Wiki by expanding it. |
Research Data, or RD, is the currency used to purchase upgrade blueprints for weapons, armor, the ND1 Nomad, and augmentations.
Overview[edit | edit source]
There are three different types of research data that match the three different technologies seen in the Research and Development screens.
Milky Way - Data related to the colonists and their equipment.
Heleus - Data related to the various species discovered in Andromeda (except for Remnant).
Remnant - Data related to mysterious abandoned technology.
Acquisition[edit | edit source]
There are a number of ways to gain research data.
Scanning[edit | edit source]
Most research data is gained through use of the scanner. The scanner will beep and flash an icon in the bottom left corner on the screen if something nearby is scannable. (The exact icon depends upon the platform the game is being played on). But it's worth scanning everything in a new environment. Not everything will provide research data points, but unless Ryder is being attacked, it's worth trying. Even if the squad is engaged, Ryder might be able to get a quick scan of an enemy or other mobile before engaging.
Cryo pod perks[edit | edit source]
Research points are also available and affected by certain Science cryo pod perks. It should be noted that the Improved Development and Improved Development II perks do not affect research data points gained from Task: Unearthed, Task: Gone Dark, or from scanning mineral nodes.
If Ryder favors gear based on Heleus or Remnant technology, it is worth acquiring Improved Development and Improved Development II as soon as possible. These two research data types are almost exclusively found by scanning and these sources are limited.
Strike team rewards[edit | edit source]
Successful Strike Team APEX missions will be rewarded with 30 research data points.
Sources[edit | edit source]
There are many sources of research data throughout Heleus.
- Most items found in the wild (or in civilized spaces) will give 10 research data points. Objects such as shuttles, furniture, equipment, even cleaning supplies, may be scanned for 10 RD.
- Mineral nodes can provide RD, though, oddly, not the samples used for Task: Hitting Rocks For Science.
- Some plants may provide RD, but, again, not those used for Task: Cultivation.
- Creatures and enemies are an excellent source, giving 50 RD for each new sample.
- Some planetary anomalies also provide 50 RD on scanning using the Tempest. For a complete list of anomalies that can be scanned, see Tempest Scanning Rewards.
There are four items found throughout Heleus which provide 100 research data points when scanned.
Adapted Initiative Core Tech[edit | edit source]
Data[edit | edit source]
- Adapted apparatus
- Unique operation
- Action: Updating Initiative operational standards
Analysis[edit | edit source]
Recovery aside, this device is valuable for its non-standard adaptation of Initiative technologies for Heleus-specific operation. Field-improvised devices leap-frog development cycles and provide significant research potential.
Adaptive Remnant Core Device[edit | edit source]
Data[edit | edit source]
- Macro-adaptive core
- Self-repair evident
- Action: Cataloging Remnant capacities and tolerances
Analysis[edit | edit source]
The adaptability of this rare device suggests that it may actively bridge other Remnant systems in a way we can't yet emulate. It provides significant research potential for Initiative technologies.
Angaran Integrated Tech Node[edit | edit source]
Data[edit | edit source]
- Core system mode
- Interlink-expansion (practical)
- Aya coordination avail.
Analysis[edit | edit source]
Angaran technology demonstrates many key superiorities, from design efficiencies to material usage. With research coordination between the Initiative and the angara, these complicated nodes represent significant value.
Kett Core Encryption Tech[edit | edit source]
Data[edit | edit source]
- Intact bioneural core
- Primo-didactic relay
- Action: Immediate forensic system deconstruction
Analysis[edit | edit source]
A networking device of uncertain purpose, but clearly reinforcing a kett model of bio-modularity. It is of immediate value, and the potential for research insight is profound.
Explosive Canisters[edit | edit source]
There are four types of explosive canisters.
- Charged Element Zero Stasis
- Coolant Containment
- Dischargeable Supercapacitor
- Explosive Materials
Each of the canister types comes in one of four technology styles.
- Milky Way
- Angaran
- Kett
- Remnant
RD is awarded for each type of canister, but not for each style. Technology style determines which RD is awarded for scanning an explosive canister. If you scan a Milky Way Explosive Materials canister first, you get +10 Milky Way RD. Thereafter, all other styles of Explosive Materials appear as light-yellow scanned. Only the first scan of each canister type will award RD, for a total of +40 RD.
Each canister has a color or glow that make it easy to distinguish what it is without scanning. The images below show the four colors: purple, light blue, yellow, and red.
- Charged Element Zero Stasis
- Coolant Containment
- Dischargeable Supercapacitor
- Explosive Materials
Research Data Required[edit | edit source]
The RD total listed is the amount required to purchase every item/tier.
Refer to each individual item page for details on the specific research requirements.
Milky Way RD[edit | edit source]
Heleus RD[edit | edit source]
Icon | Name | Type | RD |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Angaran Arms | Armor | 575 |
![]() |
Angaran Chest | Armor | 1150 |
![]() |
Angaran Firaan | Weapon | 1450 |
![]() |
Angaran Helmet | Armor | 575 |
![]() |
Angaran Legs | Armor | 575 |
![]() |
Battlefield Assist Module | Augmentation | 50 |
![]() |
Bio-Converter | Augmentation | 50 |
![]() |
Concentration Module | Augmentation | 50 |
![]() |
Coolant Unit | Augmentation | 50 |
![]() |
Dhan | Weapon | 2625 |
![]() |
Electric Firaan | Weapon | 1925 |
![]() |
Heleus Armor | Armor | 3650 |
![]() |
Heleus Helmet | Armor | 1150 |
![]() |
Hesh | Weapon | 1925 |
![]() |
Isharay | Weapon | 1925 |
![]() |
Kett Arms | Armor | 725 |
![]() |
Kett Carfalon | Weapon | 1925 |
![]() |
Kett Chest | Armor | 1450 |
![]() |
Kett Helmet | Armor | 725 |
![]() |
Kett Legs | Armor | 725 |
![]() |
Kett Vakarsh | Weapon | 2625 |
![]() |
Lanat | Weapon | 1925 |
![]() |
Naladen | Weapon | 2625 |
![]() |
Plasma Charge System | Augmentation | 200 |
![]() |
Ricochet System | Augmentation | 100 |
![]() |
Rozerad | Weapon | 2625 |
![]() |
Seeking Plasma System | Augmentation | 100 |
![]() |
Soned | Weapon | 2625 |
![]() |
Thokin | Weapon | 1925 |
![]() |
Ushior | Weapon | 2625 |
![]() |
Zalkin | Weapon | 1925 |
Total | — | — | 42665 |
Remnant RD[edit | edit source]
Icon | Name | Type | RD |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Beam Emitter | Augmentation | 200 |
![]() |
Cryo Condenser | Augmentation | 50 |
![]() |
Equalizer | Weapon | 1925 |
![]() |
Heat Inducer | Augmentation | 50 |
![]() |
Inferno | Weapon | 2625 |
![]() |
P.A.W. | Weapon | 2625 |
![]() |
Power Booster | Augmentation | 100 |
![]() |
Remnant Arms | Armor | 725 |
![]() |
Remnant Chest | Armor | 1450 |
![]() |
Remnant Cryo-Gauntlet | Weapon | 2625 |
![]() |
Remnant Helmet | Armor | 725 |
![]() |
Remnant Legs | Armor | 725 |
![]() |
Scattershot | Weapon | 2625 |
![]() |
Shadow | Weapon | 1925 |
![]() |
Shield Disruptor | Augmentation | 50 |
![]() |
Shield Oscillator | Augmentation | 200 |
![]() |
Shield Sensors | Augmentation | 50 |
![]() |
Sweeper | Weapon | 1925 |
Total | — | — | 20600 |