This Techtonica Tech Tree Guide will go over the basics of the game's sprawling tech tree, along with how to unlock new tiers and scan specific items.
You'll unlock a lot of useful buildings as you make your way through each tier, including Shiverthorn Processing and Cooling Systems. It's worth automating your supply lines to make sure you always have all of the required materials needed for unlocked buildings.
Techtonica Tech Tree Tiers
The tech tree in Techtonica is split into a number of tiers, each of which unlocked at production terminals. The player starts at production terminal Lima, before moving onto terminal Victor after progressing through a few tiers.
Each tier requires a number of materials to be given to the relevant production terminal, with the requirements becoming ever more elaborate as you continue. The requirements for each tier are:
Production Terminal Lima
- Basic Manufacturing - Available after interacting with Lima terminal for the first time.
- Basic Science - 15 Copper Ore, 15 Iron Ore
- Basic Logistics - 20 Iron Ingots, 20 Copper Ingots
- Electrical Components - 30 Iron Ingots, 30 Copper Ingots, 45 Conveyor Belts, 4 Inserters, 2 Containers
Production Terminal Victor
- Shiverthorn Processing - 500 Iron Ingot, 500 Copper Ingot
- Cooling Systems - 2400 Iron Ingot, 2400 Copper Ingot, 180 Plantmatter Frames
- Atlantum Processing - 900 Iron Ingot, 900 Copper Ingot, 900 Processor Unit, 450 Atlantum Ore
Techtonica Research Cores
Unlocking a tier will only give you a few new items to work with. The rest must be unlocked using Research Cores. Purple Research Cores become available after unlocking the Basic Science tier, and are used for most upgrades up to the Shiverthorn Processing tier.
Once a core is crafted and placed, it is added to your total at the bottom of the Tech Tree and can then be spent on available upgrades. Note that removing a core from the world will also reduce the amount you can spend too.
Tech Tree Power Requirements
Tech Tree upgrades from Cooling Systems tier onwards will also have a power requirement. Power is stored in Accumulators, which must be built on Power Floors connected to a power source (like Crank Generators).
Your current available power is shown at the bottom left of the Tech Tree. Unlike Research Cores, the power you use to unlock upgrades will not be permanently used up.
Scannable Items in Techtonica
Some items cannot be unlocked with Research Cores until you've scanned enough related fragments in the world. The Scanner is introduced early in the game, letting you scan items.
The items needed to unlock new Tech Tree nodes come in 2 forms:
- Upgrade Modules - These look like small machines, and unlock upgrades for the player like increased inventory space.
- Fragments - Ruined versions of buildings. Scanning enough of these will unlock the building in the Tech Tree.
Below is a list of the items you'll need to scan to unlock more parts of the Tech Tree:
Where to Find Mining Drill in Techtonica
The Mining Drill fragments can be found at the start next to production terminal Lima.
Where to Find Smelter in Techtonica
The Smelter fragments can be found at the start next to production terminal Lima.
Where to Find Fast Inserter in Techtonica
Fast Inserter fragments can be found at the start next to production terminal Lima, near the Mining Drills.
Where to Find Long Inserter in Techtonica
Long Inserter fragments are lying around on the ground near terminal Victor.
Where to Find Toolbelt II in Techtonica
Toolbelt II is next to production terminal Lima.
Where to Find SuitSpeed II in Techtonica
SuitSpeed II is lying on the storage containers at Lima.
Where to Find M.O.L.E in Techtonica
Inside the base where you find Sparks.
Where to Find Conveyor Belt MKII in Techtonica
Inside the base where you find Sparks next to the M.O.L.E.
Where to Find Assembler in Techtonica
Multiple Assembler fragments can be found in the cave housing terminal Victor.
Where to Find Mole F-55 in Techtonica
This upgrade is lying on the floor right next to Victor.
Where to Find Accumulator in Techtonica
Accumulator fragments can be found in the cave to the west of Victor. Must dig through the wall.
Where to Find HVC in Techtonica
A single HVC fragment can be found in the cave to the west of Victor. More are found further west, lying across the river.
Where to Find Blue Research Core in Techtonica
A Blue Research Core fragment can be found at each of the main discoverable locations. This includes the cave to the west of Victor, and the row of Water Wheel Fragments to the north.
Where to Find M.O.L.E. Speed II in Techtonica
Found in the cave to the west of Victor. Must dig through the wall.
Where to Find Hover Pack in Techtonica
Found in the cave to the west of Victor. Must dig through the wall.
Where to Find Filter Inserter in Techtonica
Found in the cave to the southwest of Victor. Door must be powered with a Crank Generator.
Where to Find PackSize II in Techtonica
Outside the cave with the unpowered door to the southwest of Victor.
Where to Find Monorail in Techtonica
Found in the cave to the southwest of Victor. Door must be powered with a Crank Generator.
Where to Find Planter in Techtonica
Found in the cave to the southwest of Victor. Door must be powered with a Crank Generator.
Where to Find Thresher in Techtonica
Found in the cave to the southwest of Victor. Door must be powered with a Crank Generator.
Where to Find Beacon in Techtonica
Follow the river up from Victor. Near the row of Water Wheels.
Where to Find Water Wheel in Techtonica
Follow the river up from Victor. Also contains a Blue Research Core nearby.
Where to Find Mining Charge in Techtonica
Inside the locked building requiring Processor Units, at the top of the cave with the unpowered door.
Where to Find CraftSpeed II in Techtonica
Inside the locked building requiring Processor Units, at the top of the cave with the unpowered door.
Where to Find SuitSpeed III in Techtonica
East of Victor, next to an abandoned mining elevator.
Where to Find HP-Flight III in Techtonica
At the bottom of the large waterfall. Fall all the way down, past the buildings suspended above the drop.
Where to Find Accumulation II in Techtonica
Inside the fallen base to the northeast of Victor.
Where to Find M.O.L.E. Subtract II in Techtonica
Inside the fallen base to the northeast of Victor.
Where to Find M.O.L.E. F-77 in Techtonica
Inside the fallen base to the northeast of Victor.
Where to Find CoolDense II in Techtonica
Inside the building suspended above the large waterfall.
Where to Find CraftSpeed III in Techtonica
Inside the building suspended above the large waterfall.
Where to Find PackSize III in Techtonica
Inside the building suspended above the large waterfall.
Where to Find Smelter MKII in Techtonica
Inside the building suspended above the large waterfall.
Where to Find Mining Drill MKII in Techtonica
Inside the building suspended above the large waterfall.
Where to Find CoolDense III in Techtonica
Inside the locked building by the line of Water Wheels. Can enter the building from above without unlocking the door.
Where to Find Accumulation III in Techtonica
Inside the locked building by the line of Water Wheels. Can enter the building from above without unlocking the door.
And that's everything for our Techtonica Tech Tree Guide! We'll update the guide with more information as we progress and more patches are released during Early Access.
Isaac is a Staff Writer at TechRaptor, handling guides — and the occasional review — for games throughout many genres. Some of his more extensive work at… More about Isaac
