RimWorld Tech Levels: A Comprehensive Guide

Hey there, fellow RimWorld colonists! Ever wondered how the tech tree in RimWorld works? Or maybe you're trying to figure out how to advance your colony from crafting simple bows and arrows to wielding advanced laser weaponry? Well, you've come to the right place! Let's dive deep into the fascinating world of RimWorld's technology levels, exploring everything from the Stone Age to the Space Age and beyond.

Understanding RimWorld's Technology System

Technology levels in RimWorld are the backbone of your colony's progression. They dictate what items you can craft, what buildings you can construct, and what research projects you can undertake. Basically, tech levels determine your colony's capabilities and its overall standard of living. As you advance through the tech tree, you unlock more powerful weapons, better armor, advanced medical treatments, and a host of other goodies that will help your colony thrive (or at least survive) in the harsh RimWorld environment.

Each colonist in your settlement has a specific tech level. This determines what items they can craft and what research they can perform. The higher the tech level of your colonists, the more advanced the research they can contribute to. This can significantly speed up your colony's technological advancement. It's beneficial to have colonists with diverse tech levels, as they can collectively contribute to a wider range of research projects.

Advancing through RimWorld's tech tree involves researching various projects at a research bench. Research requires a colonist with a decent intellect skill and the necessary research bench. As your colony progresses, you will need to upgrade your research benches to accommodate more complex research projects. The speed at which you complete research depends on several factors, including the researcher's intellect skill, the quality of the research bench, and the availability of power. Efficient research is crucial for unlocking new technologies and keeping your colony ahead of the game.

The technology level of your colony influences everything from the resources you can gather to the defenses you can build. In the early game, you'll be limited to basic materials like wood and stone, and your defenses will consist of simple traps and barricades. As you advance, you'll gain access to more advanced materials like steel, plasteel, and uranium, and you'll be able to construct sophisticated defenses like turrets, killboxes, and energy shields. This technological progression is essential for surviving increasingly challenging raids and events.

Finally, the tech level in RimWorld is not just about offense and defense. It also impacts your colony's quality of life. Advanced technologies like hydroponics allow you to grow food indoors, regardless of the weather. Medical advancements allow you to treat injuries and illnesses more effectively. Recreational technologies like televisions and billiards tables can improve your colonists' mood and reduce the risk of mental breaks. A well-researched colony is a happy colony, and a happy colony is a productive colony.

A Detailed Look at Each Tech Level

Let's break down each tech level in RimWorld, giving you a clear picture of what you can expect at each stage of technological advancement.

Neolithic

The Neolithic stage represents the earliest period in your colony's development. At this Neolithic tech level, you're essentially living in the Stone Age. Your colonists are limited to basic tools and weapons, and your technology is primarily focused on survival. This is where you'll be crafting simple clothing, building wooden structures, and hunting animals for food.

In this era, your crafting options are very limited. You'll mainly be producing things like bows, arrows, clubs, and basic leather armor. Your buildings will consist of wooden walls, doors, and simple furniture. Agriculture is limited to growing basic crops like rice, corn, and potatoes. Hunting is crucial for obtaining meat and leather, but it can be risky, as animals can fight back and injure your colonists. Social interactions are also primitive, with limited options for trade and diplomacy.

Research during the Neolithic stage focuses on fundamental technologies that are essential for survival. This includes things like basic cooking, plant cultivation, and animal husbandry. These early research projects lay the foundation for your colony's future development. Mastering these basic skills is essential for progressing to the next tech level. Focus on establishing a stable food supply and securing your colony against early threats.

Surviving at the Neolithic level requires careful resource management and strategic decision-making. Wood and stone are your primary building materials, so it's important to gather them efficiently. You'll also need to prioritize food production to prevent starvation. Defending against raids is challenging, as your colonists are poorly equipped. Building traps and utilizing terrain to your advantage can help even the odds. Despite the challenges, the Neolithic stage is a crucial learning experience that sets the stage for your colony's long-term success.

Medieval

Advancing to the Medieval era marks a significant step forward for your colony. At the Medieval tech level, you gain access to more advanced crafting recipes, better building materials, and improved weapons and armor. This tech level introduces new possibilities for trade, warfare, and colony management.

With this tech level, you can craft steel weapons and armor, construct stone buildings, and produce more sophisticated clothing. Steel weapons offer a significant upgrade over their wooden counterparts, providing increased damage and durability. Stone buildings are more resistant to fire and offer better protection against attacks. You can also start brewing beer and crafting more elaborate meals, which can improve your colonists' mood. This is also the time to start considering defensive structures, such as walls, and traps, to deter raiders.

The research options available to you during the Medieval era expand considerably. You can research technologies like smithing, brewing, and basic medicine. Smithing allows you to produce steel weapons and armor, while brewing enables you to create alcoholic beverages. Basic medicine allows you to treat injuries and illnesses more effectively, reducing the risk of infections and death. Prioritizing these research projects can significantly improve your colony's survival rate and overall well-being.

Managing a colony at the Medieval level requires a more sophisticated approach. You'll need to establish a reliable source of steel, which can be obtained through mining or trading. Managing your colonists' moods becomes increasingly important, as they are more prone to mental breaks. Providing them with comfortable living conditions, good food, and recreational activities can help keep them happy. Defending against raids requires a more strategic approach, as raiders become better equipped and more organized.

Industrial

Reaching the Industrial tech level is a game-changer for your colony. The Industrial tech level brings with it the power of electricity, advanced manufacturing techniques, and sophisticated medical treatments. This is where you start to see a real transformation in your colony's capabilities and its standard of living.

At this stage, you'll be able to build power generators, construct electric lights and heaters, and manufacture advanced weapons and armor. Electricity opens up a whole new world of possibilities, allowing you to automate tasks, power defenses, and improve your colonists' living conditions. You can also start producing goods for trade on a large scale, generating a steady income for your colony. This is when you can start to become self-sufficient, producing your own power and resources.

The research options in the Industrial era are extensive and varied. You can research technologies like electricity, machining, and advanced medicine. Electricity unlocks the power grid and allows you to build various electrical appliances. Machining enables you to produce more advanced weapons, tools, and equipment. Advanced medicine allows you to treat serious illnesses and perform surgeries, significantly improving your colonists' health and lifespan. This opens opportunities to craft components, medicine, and advanced meals.

Colony management at the Industrial level becomes more complex, requiring careful planning and resource allocation. You'll need to establish a reliable power grid and manage your energy consumption. Managing waste and pollution becomes a concern, as industrial processes can generate harmful byproducts. Defending against raids requires a sophisticated defense system, including turrets, killboxes, and armored walls. However, the rewards of industrialization are immense, allowing you to create a prosperous and technologically advanced colony.

Spacer

The Spacer tech level represents the pinnacle of technological achievement in RimWorld. At the Spacer tech level, you have access to advanced energy weapons, sophisticated medical technologies, and the ability to travel to other planets. This is where your colony truly becomes a force to be reckoned with.

With this tech level, you can craft plasma weapons, construct advanced power armor, and build spacecraft. Plasma weapons are incredibly powerful, capable of melting through even the toughest armor. Advanced power armor provides unparalleled protection against damage. Spacecraft allow you to explore the galaxy, establish colonies on other planets, and engage in interstellar trade and warfare. Your capabilities become nearly limitless at this stage.

The research options available to you during the Spacer era are focused on advanced technologies like space travel, artificial intelligence, and genetic engineering. Space travel allows you to build spacecraft and explore other planets. Artificial intelligence enables you to create autonomous robots and sophisticated computer systems. Genetic engineering allows you to modify your colonists' genes, improving their abilities and health. These research projects represent the cutting edge of technological innovation.

Managing a colony at the Spacer level requires a mastery of all aspects of colony management. You'll need to manage your resources carefully, maintain a stable power grid, and defend against advanced threats. However, the rewards are immense, allowing you to create a thriving interstellar empire. This is the endgame for many players, with the goal of escaping the Rimworld aboard a spaceship. It might also involve establishing a powerful and self-sustaining colony capable of handling any challenge the game throws your way.

Tips for Advancing Through Tech Levels

Here are some practical tips to help you accelerate your colony's technological progress:

• Prioritize Research: Focus on researching technologies that provide immediate benefits to your colony, such as better weapons, improved defenses, and more efficient resource production.
• Optimize Your Research Bench: Upgrade your research bench as soon as possible to increase research speed.
• Train Your Researchers: Train colonists with high intellect skills to become skilled researchers.
• Manage Your Resources: Ensure that you have a steady supply of resources to fuel your research efforts.
• Adapt to New Technologies: As you unlock new technologies, adapt your colony's infrastructure and strategies to take full advantage of them.
• Balance Research with Other Tasks: It's important to balance research with other essential tasks, such as food production, defense, and healthcare.

Conclusion

Understanding RimWorld's technology levels is crucial for building a successful and thriving colony. By mastering the tech tree, you can unlock powerful weapons, advanced defenses, and sophisticated technologies that will help you overcome the challenges of the RimWorld environment. So, go forth and conquer the tech tree, and may your colony prosper!