Technology tree

The technology tree in Alpha Centauri and its expansion is vast, with nearly 90 technologies shared across four categories (Conquer, Discover, Build, Explore). Depending on game settings, you can either direct research or randomly uncover technologies depending on your focus (default setting). The tree below attempts to chart the relationships between the different techs.

Technology tree

Tech	Category/Level	Prerequisite 1	Prerequisite 2	Faction	Secret projects	Bases	Terraforming	Units
Biogenetics	Discover 1			Increases intrinsic defense against gene warfare	The Human Genome Project	Recycling tanks
Industrial Base	Build 1				The Merchant Exchange			Synthmetal armor (D2)
Information Networks	Discover 1					Network node
Applied Physics	Conquer 1							Laser
Social Psych	Build 1					Recreation commons
Doctrine: Mobility	Explore 1					Command center		Speeder chassis
Centauri Ecology	Explore 1			Increases NUTRIENT production in fungus	Weather Paradigm		Unlocks basic terraforming options: Farm, mine, solar collector	Former chassis
Nonlinear Mathematics	Conquer 2	Applied Physics	Information Networks					Particle impactor (A4)
Superconductor	Conquer 4	Optical Computers	Industrial Base					Gatling Laser (A5)
Applied Relativity	Discover 5	Superconductor	Advanced Subatomic Theory		Supercollider
Fusion Power	Discover 6	Pre-Sentient Algorithms	Superconductor			Fusion lab Engineer citizen available		Fusion reactor
Silksteel Alloys	Build 4	Advanced Subatomic Theory	Industrial Automation					Silksteel armor
Advanced Subatomic Theory	Discover 3	High Energy Chemistry	Polymorphic Software			Skunkworks		Comm jammer
High Energy Chemistry	Conquer 2	Industrial Base	Applied Physics					Plasma steel armor (D3) Nerve gas pods
Frictionless Surfaces	Discover 10	Unified Field Theory	Industrial Nanorobotics					Cloaking device ability
Nanometallurgy	Explore 8	Probability Mechanics	Doctrine: Initiative					Repair bay, carrier deck, and deep pressure hull abilities
Superstring Theory	Conquer 5	Nonlinear Mathematics	Cyberethics					Chaos gun (A8)
Advanced Military Algorithms	Conquer 4	Adaptive Doctrine	Optical Computers			Punishment sphere	Bunker	Tracking lasers and deep radar
Monopole Magnets	Build 6	Superstring Theory	Silksteel Alloys				Mag tube
Matter Compression	Conquer 9	Nanometallurgy	Nanominiaturization					Neutronium armor (D8)
Unified Field Theory	Conquer 7	Monopole Magnets	Applied Relativity		Theory of Everything			Tachyon bolt (A12)
Graviton Theory	Explore 13	Quantum Machinery	Mind/Machine Interface					Gravship chassis Antigrav struts ability Units can make orbital insertions with drop pods
Polymorphic Software	Discover 2	Industrial Base	Information Networks	Improves Probe Team success rate				Heavy artillery
Applied Gravitonics	Explore 14	Graviton Theory	Digital Sentience					Graviton gun
Quantum Power	Discover 11	Frictionless Surfaces	Planetary Economics			Quantum lab		Quantum chamber
Singularity Mechanics	Discover 12	Secrets of Creation	Self-Aware Machines					Singularity engine
Controlled Singularity	Conquer 15	Singularity Mechanics	Applied Gravitonics		Singularity Inductor			Singularity laser
Temporal Mechanics	Build 14	Eudaimonia	Matter Transmission	Increases ENERGY production in fungus				Stasis generator (B12)
Probability Mechanics	Build 7	Photon/Wave Mechanics	Pre-Sentient Algorithms			Tachyon field		Probability sheath (D6)
Pre-Sentient Algorithms	Discover 5	Advanced Military Algorithms	Cyberethics	Improves Probe Team success rate	Hunter-Seeker Algorithm			Polymorphic encryption
Super Tensile Solids	Build 10	Matter Compression	Advanced Spaceflight		Space Elevator	Habitation dome
Planetary Networks	Discover 2	Information Networks		Planned economics available in social engineering	Virtual World	Hologram theater Librarians available		Probe teams enabled
Digital Sentience	Discover 10	Industrial Nanorobotics	Mind/Machine Interface	Cybernetic future society available in social engineering Improves Probe Team success rate	Network Backbone
Self-Aware Machines	Discover 11	N-Space Compression	Digital Sentience	Improves Probe Team success rate	Self Aware Colony and Nethack Terminus (Crossfire)	Nessus mining station and orbital defense pods, adds free network node at each base
Doctrine: Initiative	Explore 4	Doctrine: Flexibility	Industrial Automation		Maritime Control Center	Naval Yard		Cruiser chassis and amphibious pods ability
Doctrine: Flexibility	Explore 2	Doctrine: Mobility				Pressure dome		Foil chassis Troop transport
Intellectual Integrity	Explore 3	Ethical Calculus	Doctrine: Loyalty		Citizen's Defense Force			High morale and non-lethal methods special abilities
Synthetic Fossil Fuels	Explore 4	High Energy Chemistry	Gene Splicing					Missile launcher (A6) Fungicide tanks ability
Doctrine: Air Power	Explore 5	Synthetic Fossil Fuels	Doctrine: Flexibility			Aerospace complex	Airbase	Needlejet chassis Air superiority ability
Photon/Wave Mechanics	Conquer 6	Applied Relativity	Silksteel Alloys					Photon wall armor (D5)
Mind/Machine Interface	Conquer 6	Doctrine: Air Power	Neural Grafting	Diplomatic victory available Improves Probe Team success rate	Cyborg Factory and Cloudbase Academy (Crossfire)	Thinkers available		Copter chassis Drop pods ability
Nanominiaturization	Build 8	Monopole Magnets	Organic Superlubricant					Hovertank chassis
Doctrine: Loyalty	Conquer 2	Doctrine: Mobility	Social Psych	Police state available in social engineering	Command Nexus	Perimeter defense
Ethical Calculus	Explore 2	Social Psych		Democratic society available in social engineering		Children's creche
Industrial Economics	Build 2	Industrial Base		Free market economics available in social engineering Increases commerce income		Energy bank
Industrial Automation	Build 3	Industrial Economics	Planetary Networks	Wealth values become available in social engineering Increases commerce income	Planetary Transit System	Hab complex		Supply transport equipment
Centauri Meditation	Explore	Ecological Engineering	Centauri Empathy	Increases ENERGY production in fungus	Xenoempathy Dome	Centauri preserve		Isle of the Deep available
Secrets of the Human Brain	Discover 2	Social Psych	Biogenetics	Fundamentalist society available in social engineering First faction to discover gains one free technological advance				Hypnotic trance ability
Gene Splicing	Build 3	Biogenetics	Ethical Calculus	Lifts nutrient restrictions on base squares Increases intrinsic defense against gene warfare		Research hospital
Bio-Engineering	Build	Gene Splicing	Neural Grafting	Increases intrinsic defense against gene warfare	Longevity Vaccine			Clean reactor
Biomachinery	Build 7	Mind/Machine Interface	Retroviral Engineering	Increases intrinsic defense against gene warfare	Cloning Vats
Neural Grafting	Conquer 4	Secrets of the Human Brain	Industrial Automation		Neural Amplifier	Bioenhancement center
Cyberethics	Build 4	Planetary Networks	Intellectual Integrity	Knowledge values becomes available in Social Engineering	Planetary Datalinks
Eudaimonia	Explore 12	Sentient Econometrics	The Will to Power	Eudaimonic future society available in social engineering	Telepathic Matrix			Psi defense unit armor
The Will to Power	Explore 9	Homo Superior	Centauri Psi	Thought Control available in social engineering	Dream Twister
Threshold of Transcendence	Explore 15	Secrets of the Manifolds	Temporal Mechanics	Increases MINERALS production in fungus	Voice of Planet and Ascent to Transcendence
Matter Transmission	Build 13	Matter Editation	Secrets of Alpha Centauri	Increases MINERALS production in fungus	Bulk Matter Transmitter	Psi gate		Blink displacer
Centauri Empathy	Explore 3	Secrets of the Human Brain	Centauri Ecology	Unlocks Green economics in social engineering		Biology lab		Mind worms breeding and empath song
Environmental Economics	Build 5	Industrial Economics	Ecological Engineering	Increases commerce income Energy restrictions lifted on base squares		Tree farm	Formers can raise and lower terrain
Ecological Engineering	Explore 4	Centauri Ecology	Gene Splicing	Mineral restriction lifted on base squares			Formers can execute advanced terraforming
Planetary Economics	Build 4	Adaptive Economics	Intellectual Integrity	Enables Economic victory Increases commerce income	Ascetic Virtues	Hybrid forest
Advanced Ecological Engineering	Build 7	Fusion Power	Environmental Economics				Soil enricher	Unlocks Super Formers
Centauri Psi	Explore 8	Centauri Genetics	Advanced Ecological Engineering	Reduces fungus restrictons Increases NUTRIENT production in fungus				Psi attack
Secrets of Alpha Centauri	Discover 12	Centauri Psi	Sentient Econometrics	Increases ENERGY production in fungus Reveals map First faction to discover gains one free technological advance		Temple of Planet Transcends become available
Secrets of Creation	Discover 10	Unified Field Theory	The Will to Power	First faction to discover gains one free technological advance
Advanced Spaceflight	Discover 8	Orbital Spaceflight	Organic Superlubricant		Living Refinery	Orbital power transmitter		Plasma shard
Homo Superior	Explore 8	Biomachinery	Doctrine: Initiative		Universal Translator	Nanohospital
Organic Superlubricant	Conquer 7	Fusion Power	Synthetic Fossil Fuels					Fusion laser (A10)
Quantum Machinery	Build 12	Quantum Power	Nanometallurgy	Free energy banks		Quantum converter		Quantum laser
Matter Editation	Build 12	Self-Aware Machines	Super Tensile Solids	Increases intrinsic defense against gene warfare	Clinical Immortality	Nanoreplicator		Antimatter plate (D10)
Optical Computers	Discover 3	Applied Physics	Polymorphic Software
Industrial Nanorobotics	Build 9	Nanominiaturization	Industrial Automation	Increases commerce income	Nano Factory	Robotic assembly plant
Centauri Genetics	Explore 7	Centauri Meditation	Retroviral Engineering	Increases MINERALS production in fungus	Pholus Mutagen	Brood pit		Locust of Chiron
Sentient Econometrics	Explore 11	Planetary Economics	Digital Sentience	Increases commerce income		Paradise garden Adds free recreation commons in every base
Retroviral Engineering	Conquer 6	Bio-Engineering	Advanced Military Algorithms	Increases intrinsic defense against genetic warfare Allows gene warfare atrocity		Genejack factory		Gene warfare atrocity
Orbital Spaceflight	Discover 6	Doctrine: Air Power	Pre-Sentient Algorithms	First orbital launch reveals entire map		Sky hydroponics lab		Missile chassis Conventional (A12) and Planet Buster (A99, special) payloads
Progenitor Psych	Explore 1			Allows human factions to communicate with progenitors		Aquafarm
Field Modulation	Conquer 2	Progenitor Psych	Centauri Ecology					3-Res armor
Adaptive Doctrine	Conquer 3	Polymorphic Software	Doctrine: Flexibility					[[Marine det
Adaptive Economics	Build 3	Progenitor Psych	Industrial Economics		Planetary Energy Grid	Thermocline transducer
Bioadaptive Resonance	Conquer 4	Field Modulation	Centauri Empathy					Resonance laser Soporific gas pods
Sentient Resonance	Conquer 9	Bioadaptive Resonance	Centauri Psi					Resonance bolt (A12, +25% vs. Psi) 8-Res armor (D8)
Secrets of the Manifolds	Discover 13	Sentient Resonance	Secrets of Alpha Centauri	First faction to discover gains one free technological advance	Manifold Harmonics
N-Space Compression	Conquer 8	Orbital Spaceflight	Biomachinery			Geosynchronous survey pod and flechette defense pod		Fungal and tectonic missile payloads
String Resonance	Conquer 16	Secrets of the Manifolds	Controlled Singularity					String disruptor (A30)
Transcendent Thought	Discover 16	Threshold of Transcendence	Controlled Singularity	Increases victory and retirement score

Technology tree Build Industrial Base Social Psych Advanced Subatomic Theory Monopole Magnets Quantum Power Temporal Mechanics Probability Mechanics Super Tensile Solids Self-Aware Machines Photon/Wave Mechanics Mind/Machine Interface Nanominiaturization Industrial Economics Industrial Automation Gene Splicing Bio-Engineering Biomachinery Cyberethics Matter Transmission Environmental Economics Advanced Ecological Engineering Matter Editation Industrial Nanorobotics Progenitor Psych Field Modulation Secrets of the Manifolds Conquer Applied Physics Superconductor Nonlinear Mathematics High Energy Chemistry Superstring Theory Matter Compression Unified Field Theory Controlled Singularity Doctrine: Loyalty Neural Grafting Organic Superlubricant Retroviral Engineering Adaptive Doctrine N-Space Compression String Resonance Discover Biogenetics Information Networks Applied Relativity Fusion Power Frictionless Surfaces Polymorphic Software Singularity Mechanics Pre-Sentient Algorithms Planetary Networks Digital Sentience Secrets of the Human Brain Secrets of Alpha Centauri Secrets of Creation Quantum Machinery Optical Computers Bioadaptive Resonance Sentient Resonance Transcendent Thought Explore Doctrine: Mobility Centauri Ecology Silksteel Alloys Nanometallurgy Advanced Military Algorithms Graviton Theory Applied Gravitonics Doctrine: Initiative Doctrine: Flexibility Intellectual Integrity Synthetic Fossil Fuels Doctrine: Air Power Ethical Calculus Centauri Meditation Eudaimonia The Will to Power Threshold of Transcendence Centauri Empathy Ecological Engineering Planetary Economics Centauri Psi Orbital Spaceflight Advanced Spaceflight Homo Superior Centauri Genetics Sentient Econometrics Adaptive Economics