Scientists can perform research between events to discover more about the game world and the things that they have found in it. Mechanically, research is the expenditure of Research Points, which are gained by buying more ranks of science skills. For each rank of the Etheric, Corporeal & Life Science a character has, they gain 1 Research Point in that field. The scientist skill also grants 1 Generic Research Point, which can be used in any of the 3 specialisations. After each event, you can choose how to assign your Research Points - either to an object in your inventory, to collaborate on another character's research, teach other characters what you have learned, or to creating exotic substances.

Assigning Research Points to objects allows you to learn more about them, and in some cases gradually unlock their abilities. Objects that you can research are assigned to one of the three science specialities - Etheric, Corporeal & Life Science - and can only be researched using the right type of Research Points (or your Generic Research Point).

Artefacts and Samples (which are basically researchable manifestations of Conditions or other in-game phenomena) will have “tiers” that unlock for your character as you assign more Research Points to them, up to the maximum level (which will indicate that no further research is possible). Unlocking higher tiers will usually require more Research Points to be spent each time, as it becomes harder to uncover new information. In effect, each artefact and researchable Condition or Phenomena is its own ranked skill, and you “buy” those skills with research.

Unlocked tiers might grant the ability to use the object's special powers, or information about it and possibly its origin. Samples are more likely to give information, artefacts are more likely to unlock special abilities. Special abilities that you research will appear on your character sheet at the next event, and they can be used with the relevant artefact. You will normally receive the results of your research in your character pack at the next event.

You can assign one or more research points to assist another character's research. Specify which research points you wish to assign to another character, and their character ID, and they will be added to their current research. These transferred points can only be used to research an object. They cannot be used to teach other characters or create exotic substances.

You can use your Research Points to teach other characters about what you have already learned. Since you have already done the hard work of researching, it is much easier to bring others up to speed. Each research point that you assign to teaching another character unlocks 1 tier of something you have already researched, up to your current level. When teaching another character, you should indicate how many research points you are assigning, their character ID and the ID of the artefact, phenomenon or condition that you wish to teach them about.

Scientists can spend their time in between events searching for or synthesising Exotic Substances. Every Research Point used in this way gains the scientist a random exotic substance of the relevant type - exotic particles for etheric science, exotic reagents for corporeal science or exotic biotics for life science. If you use your Generic Research Point to this use, you will receive a random exotic substance from any of the three areas. If you don't specify how your Research Points are used, they will default to this option.

The final use of Research is for a scientist to try to invent something new. This takes the form of