Last Z: Essential Combat Research Guide

To optimize your combat strength in Last Z: Survival Shooter, strategic research progression is key. This guide outlines the most effective path for spending your badges, starting with core combat improvements and then branching into advanced troop tiers or late-game scaling.

Core Combat Research Priorities

Begin your combat research journey by focusing on these initial branches. This foundational phase builds a strong base for your military operations.

1. Hero Training: Reach Cockpit

Your first major goal is to unlock the 'Cockpit' node within the Hero Training tree. This provides significant early combat benefits. Do not fully complete this branch at first; stopping at Cockpit is more badge-efficient for initial progression.

• Target: Cockpit node.
• Cost: 21,930 cumulative badges to reach Cockpit.
• Savings: Completing the entire branch costs 40,040 badges. By stopping at Cockpit, you save 18,110 badges for other crucial research.

For detailed information on the entire Hero Training structure and specific node costs, consult the relevant in-game research interface.

2. Military Strategies: Prioritize Troop HP

The Military Strategies branch offers cost-effective and vital troop enhancements. Concentrate on nodes that boost Troop HP, particularly those matching your primary troop type (e.g., Assaulter for Blood Rose).

• Focus: Troop HP nodes are paramount.
• Strategy: Compare the badge cost of the next 'Move Out' level with the path to an HP node for your troop type. Always prioritize HP buffs for your main units.

This tree is relatively inexpensive and provides substantial power gains for your units.

3. Unlocking Peace Shield and Urgent Rescue

The Peace Shield research tree is critical for reducing unit losses in battles.

• Unlock Requirements: You must have 50% completion in the Shelter Building tree and 45% completion in Military Strategies to unlock Peace Shield. Full completion of Military Strategies is not required.
• Key Node: Aim for 'Urgent Rescue'. Its 10 ranks can reduce unit fatalities by up to 20%, directly countering enemy Annihilation abilities in player-versus-player engagements.
• Cost: The cumulative path to Urgent Rescue within Peace Shield costs 39,913 badges, excluding prerequisites.

This branch provides essential defensive capabilities, preserving your valuable troops.

Strategic Choices: T10 Units or Late-Game Scaling

After securing Urgent Rescue, your path diverges based on your immediate objectives. Field Research is not a mandatory stop before pursuing Tier 10 units.

Option A: Unit Tier Progression (UST/T10)

If your main goal is to unlock Tier 10 units, focus on the most direct and efficient path towards Unit Special Training (UST).

• Goal: Access Tier 10 units.
• Alignment: Ensure your Headquarters (HQ) progression is synchronized with your troop-tier advancements.
• Cost: The full UST branch requires 1,500,300 badges, excluding previous branches. For free-to-play players, this is a significant long-term endeavor.
• Recommendation: Advance through UST gradually. Incorporate useful checkpoints from other research trees before dedicating the majority of your badges to this path. Actively acquire badges through in-game events like Lucky Discounter.

Option B: Offensive Scaling and Recharge Shield (Siege to Seize & Field Research)

If you prioritize late-game player-versus-player scaling and gaining the 'Recharge Shield' ability, then the Siege to Seize and subsequent Field Research branches are your next steps.

• Goal: Enhanced offensive power and Recharge Shield.
• Delaying Considerations: If you prefer a defensive playstyle, belong to a Non-Aggression Pact (NAP) alliance, or need badges for UST/T10 requirements, consider postponing the Siege to Seize tree.
• Progression: After Siege to Seize, move into Field Research to eventually unlock Recharge Shield.

Research Tree Unlock Order & Requirements

Understanding how research branches become available is crucial for efficient planning.

Research Branch	Unlock Requirement
Military Strategies	100% completion in Elite Troops
Peace Shield	50% Shelter + 45% Military Strategies
Siege to Seize	40% Military Strategies
Field Research	100% Siege to Seize
Army Building	100% Peace Shield

(Note: Reaching Recharge Shield within Field Research requires 600,190 badges from that branch, in addition to Siege to Seize costs.)

Research Timing and Facility Optimization

Maximize your research output with these strategies:

• Second Laboratory: Prioritize acquiring the Research License and establishing a second Laboratory early. The ability to run two research queues concurrently offers immense value.
• Research Speedups: Save your accumulated research speedups for specific event days, such as Alliance Duel Day 3, to earn additional event points.
• Officer Position: If in a Capital position, the Secretary of Research offers a +15% research speed bonus and extends your free research completion window by 1 hour. This stacks with other early completion bonuses.

Quick Tips

• Plan Ahead: Always plan your badge expenditure and target research nodes before committing.
• Focus HP: Prioritize Troop HP buffs in Military Strategies for immediate combat impact.
• Urgent Rescue: Secure Urgent Rescue for crucial unit survival benefits in PvP.
• Second Lab First: Invest in your second research facility as early as possible.
• Event Sync: Use speedups during events for maximum benefit.
• No Mandatory Stops: Field Research isn't required before T10; choose your path wisely.