Research Order and Value Questions

For which faction?

And what is your play style?

I'm relatively new to the game, so I mostly stick to TEC.

By that same token, I don't exactly have a set style or strategy at the moment, which is why I'm just wondering if you need a certain number of a certain construction/unit before researching the respective upgrade becomes viable.

I would say you need to be adaptive. Assuming you scout well early, look at the planets: are there any ice or volcanic close by?

If so, you'll probably want artic or volcanic exploration soon (which means 2 civic labs for TEC). Another upgrade you probably want semi-early is the PSIONDIC (SP?) early detection "radar." Very helpful to know when people are enroute to you.

Beyond that, it would depend on your map size. If the map is large enough where you'll have some time before you expand, I'd suggest trying to boom your economy and upgrade there accordingly (so civic research).

If the map smaller, it seems some would still suggest to buff your economy as best you can to turn the tide on the the other races who will struggle more with their economy. Usually, it seems the rule of thumb is to not put too much money into military upgrades UNTIL you have a basic economy going and until you have a fleet of a semi-decent size to benefit from those upgrades.

As TEC, the very first things you want to research are Ice/Volcanic colonization ( for my style at least ). Which one you choose first depends on what type of planets are closest. Don't waste time or resources on a planet type that you don't have nearby ( use your scouts ). I don't even make a military lab until after I have two civic labs. You want to expand as fast as possible, that means being able to colonize. Then can come Psidar, trade ports, and mining buffs. Anything other then colonizing, Psidar, and trade ports is frosting for me on the civics tree. End game, when you have credits to burn, it's nice to have insurgency and max'd mining buffs ( sell that stuff for $$$ ). Trade buffs are nice too.

Next up, is military labs. Depending on the area and map, I make my choices on what I am going for military wise. I usually get some armor/shield/repair techs while working towards 5 labs and Kodiaks, not forgetting to pick up LRM's on the way.

That should do for a start, at least against the AI. People, thats depends on who you're playing and thier style.

If you love static defenses, you can get fancy with repair bays, hangers, and and upgrades for turrets. Some people go nuts for LRM upgrades which is nice, since it puts you closer to a novalith. Others get every HC they can. More go for weapon/armor/shield upgrades. After a good base, it starts to depend on your style.

2 civics first off is a must, unless you need to pickoff an enemy really fast. Researching ice and volcano planets in order you wish to colonize is a gimmie. Trade ports should be built within having 3 colonies or so. With trade active and just a modest crystal income, most 1st level techs should be taken, especially on the military tree and on the resource gathering.

My personal play style says get the flak frigates when you have 3-4 colonies with 2 civic and 2-3 military, then the Hoshika's so you can have a high life and high repair strike force, and then take the easy life, shield and laser upgrades. Once you get yourself 4-5 stable colonies, build up to Kodiacs and Cielos, and build a dominant Kodiac force. The only ship ability upgrade I think is worth the money is the Kodiacs.

And fleet logistics, build cap ship capacity slightly ahead of fleet logistic capacity. You should know when to upgrade the capacity instinctively, just try to keep your economy rolling as strong as possible. Eventually you will realize you are stretched so thin you can only defend, so upgrading it will allow you to build an attack force. Then 10% upgrade cost per capacity means you need to grow your economy 20+% each time you do otherwise it aint worth it!!