Sandustry WikiResearch Guide
Spend Gold in an order that unlocks the next real bottleneck.
Researched 17 Aug 2026 · Official facts separated from community observationsResearch is purchased with Gold. Treat the tree as a response to factory constraints, not a rigid checklist.
How research works
Research is purchased with Gold in the Research tab. Each choice should remove a concrete production, transport or exploration bottleneck.
The captured official page lists Refining, Logistics, Guns, Filters, Pipes, Tools, Lights and Drones branches. Costs and unlocks may change during Early Access, so the page records its capture date.
Recommended early priorities
Refining 1 unlocks the Shaker and is granted automatically when Skip Tutorial is used. Logistics 1 unlocks Conveyor Belts and Launchers for 50 Gold in the captured data.
Filters 1 is a practical next step when one belt carries multiple materials. Tools 1 unlocks the Flamethrower for burning Slag, melting Ice and boiling Water.
- Refining 1 → Shaker.
- Logistics 1 → Conveyor Belt and Launcher.
- Filters 1 → Filter.
- Tools 1 → Flamethrower.
Mid-game utility unlocks
Tools 2 unlocks the Vacuum for moving piles. Tools 3 unlocks the Cryoblaster, which freezes Water and solidifies Lava. Refining 3 unlocks Planter Boxes.
Pipes 1 unlocks Pipe, Pump, Liquid Vent and Pipe Remover. Buy it when sustainable Water transport is limiting production rather than simply because it is available.
- Tools 2: captured cost 500 Gold.
- Tools 3: captured cost 1,500 Gold.
- Refining 3: captured cost 2,000 Gold.
- Pipes 1: captured cost 2,000 Gold.
Choose by bottleneck
If pixels cannot reach processors, prioritize logistics. If mixed outputs jam the line, prioritize filters. If Water is distant, save for pipes. If heat and freezing reactions block material conversion, prioritize tools.
This decision framework is more durable than a single fixed build order because it survives map and balance changes.
- Logistics 1 costs 50 Gold in captured wiki data.
- Tools 1 unlocks the Flamethrower.
- Pipes 1 unlocks Pipe, Pump and Liquid Vent.
Version boundary: Gold costs and unlock groupings reflect the official wiki captured on 2026-08-17 and should be rechecked after patches.
Research behind this guide
This page was written from its own keyword material file. The sources below are not shared filler from another guide.
Research Guide FAQ
Five practical answers covering setup, troubleshooting and version-sensitive decisions.
What is the best Sandustry research order?
There is no universal order because research should answer the bottleneck visible in your current factory. Refining supports Gold production, Logistics improves movement, Tools solve material-handling problems, and Pipes become valuable when Water must travel reliably.
How is research purchased?
Research is purchased with Gold from the Research interface. Before spending, identify exactly which building or tool the node unlocks and how it changes the current production constraint; an unlock that cannot yet be supplied may delay progress instead of accelerating it.
When should I unlock Logistics 1?
Unlock Logistics 1 when manual movement or uncontrolled falling materials prevent a stable production loop. The captured official Wiki lists it at 50 Gold and associates it with early transport options, but costs should be rechecked after Early Access patches.
When are Pipes more valuable than Tools?
Choose Pipes when Water location, evaporation or unreliable delivery is the active constraint. Choose Tools when excavation, freezing, heating or pile movement is blocking progress. The correct branch is the one that closes a working production loop now.
Can research costs change?
Yes. Sandustry is in Early Access, so node costs, groupings and prerequisites may change. This guide records the captured Wiki state and emphasizes unlock purpose; confirm the number shown in your current Research panel before committing scarce Gold.