Research priority
Progression feels faster when every unlock improves survival or lowers route cost. Delayed upgrades are fine if they do not change your next raid outcome.
- Repair economy
- Cargo capacity
- Reactor safety
- Weapon reliability
SAND: Raiders of Sophie tech tree database
Use this research checklist to decide which upgrades matter now and which materials are worth risking.
Quick answer
Research should follow raid survival first, then cargo, then damage. Unlocks that help you extract more often usually beat flashy weapons early.
Material gates
Coral and rare drops should be tracked against a named unlock. If a material has no immediate use, protect it instead of spending it casually.
- Coral Chunks
- Weird Coral
- Crowns
- Mechanical parts
sand raiders of sophie tech tree FAQ
What tech tree path is best for solo players?
Solo players usually benefit from survival, speed and repair economy before expensive combat nodes.
Should I rush weapon upgrades?
Only rush weapons if your crew is actively fighting. For new players, safer extraction often gives better long-term progress.