- Shahed research unlocks through the military technology branch of the Build and Conquer research tree
- Stabilize your economy first — military research stalls without dependable income, energy, and materials
- Production materials are the bottleneck — build processing chains before starting military research queues
- Military Route players reach drones fastest, but risk economic collapse if rushed too early
- Deploy through tunnels once manufactured, extending your reach to mainland strategic regions
Understanding Shahed Research Requirements
The Shahed drone sits in the military technology tier of the Build and Conquer research tree. Unlocking it is not a single research action — it is the end of a progression chain that runs from your city's foundation through industrial production capacity and finally into advanced military manufacturing. Because the game is still in Beta, exact research names and costs may shift between updates, so always verify current values in-game before committing long research queues.
The core dependency structure looks like this:
| Research Stage | What It Provides | Required Before Shahed |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 — Foundation | Basic construction, resource support, energy management | Yes, required first |
| Tier 2 — Production Capacity | Processing chains, manufacturing throughput | Yes, drones need materials |
| Tier 3 — Military Technology | Troops, vehicles, missiles, drones | Yes, direct unlock tier |
Build and Conquer is in active Beta development. Research requirements, unlock tiers, and military unit availability may change with updates. Check the official Roblox game page for the latest patch information.
Prerequisites: Building the Economy That Funds Research
Before you can meaningfully research the Shahed, your nation needs three stable systems. Skipping any of them turns military research into a dead end where the queue starts but never finishes.
| Prerequisite | Why It Matters | Warning Sign of Shortage |
|---|---|---|
| Stable income | Research and manufacturing drain funds continuously | Money balance drops during normal operations |
| Energy capacity | Research facilities and factories need power | Connected systems slow or stall |
| Production materials | Drones require processed military inputs | Manufacturing queues sit unfinished |
Economic Route
- Foundation research first
- Production capacity second
- Military tech last
- Safest for new players
Military Route
- Core foundation only
- Rush production tier
- Fastest Shahed access
- Higher economic risk
Balanced Route
- Alternate economy and military research
- Slower but resilient
- Good for contested servers
Expand utility capacity — power and water — before starting Tier 3 military research. Military facilities have higher operating demands than civilian buildings, and an energy shortage mid-research is one of the most common progression stalls.
Step-by-Step: How to Research the Shahed
Follow this order to reach drone research without stalling your nation's growth:
Establish Foundation Research
Complete Tier 1 research covering basic construction, resource support, and energy management. This tier improves building maintenance and prepares the infrastructure that later military research depends on.
Build Production Chains
Develop resource processing and manufacturing throughput through Tier 2 research. The Shahed requires processed military materials, so secure the full chain from basic resources to production materials before advancing.
Stabilize Energy and Income
Verify that power generation covers all active facilities with headroom, and that income supports continuous research spending. Military technology research is expensive to maintain.
Enter Military Technology Tier
Begin Tier 3 military research. Progress through prerequisite military technologies — troop and vehicle systems — toward the drone node on the research tree.
Unlock and Manufacture the Shahed
Complete the Shahed research node, then set up the corresponding military production. Prepare the required materials in advance so manufacturing starts immediately after unlock.
Once the Shahed is researched and your production line is running, keep a reserve of production materials. Drone manufacturing competes with other military queues, and running dry mid-production wastes time you already invested in research.
Using the Shahed After Unlock
Researching the drone is only half the equation. Deploying it effectively requires the same infrastructure as any military operation in Build and Conquer.
| Deployment Factor | Recommended Preparation |
|---|---|
| City defense | Protect production facilities with defensive structures |
| Tunnel access | Secure tunnel routes connecting your city to the mainland |
| Strategic regions | Target contested areas matching your force composition |
| Force balance | Combine drones with vehicles and troops rather than a single unit type |
| Economic reserve | Keep resources flowing so losses can be replaced |
Drones are most effective when paired with ground pressure. Use them to extend military influence beyond your city while your main force contests strategic regions — but never expose an expanding economy without sufficient protection at home.
Do not abandon city defense to fund forward drone operations. Your city is the core of resource, research, and manufacturing output — losing it removes your ability to replace any military losses, including drones.
Shahed Research Checklist
Before You Start Drone Research:
- Complete all Tier 1 foundation research
- Finish Tier 2 production capacity research
- Maintain surplus energy with headroom
- Secure processed production material supply
- Establish defensive structures around production zones
- Verify current research tree in-game (Beta changes)
Because Build and Conquer continues to receive Beta updates that can adjust research trees and military units, recheck the official Roblox game page and The Slop Company community posts before committing to long research plans.
FAQ
Q: How do I research the Shahed in Build and Conquer?
Progress through the research tree from Tier 1 foundation research, through Tier 2 production capacity, and into the Tier 3 military technology branch. The Shahed drone is unlocked at the military tier, and requires a stable supply of processed production materials to manufacture afterward.
Q: Can I rush Shahed research early in a new city?
You can follow the Military Route — completing only core foundation research before pushing production and military tech — but this carries economic risk. Without stable income, energy, and materials, research queues stall and you may be left with military capacity you cannot sustain.
Q: What resources does Shahed production need?
Drone manufacturing draws on the military supply chain: stable basic resources, processed production materials, and sufficient energy. Build your processing chains during Tier 2 research so materials are ready when the unlock completes.
Q: Do research requirements change over time?
Yes. Build and Conquer is in Beta, and updates can adjust research effects, progression routes, and access to vehicles, missiles, and drones. Always confirm current requirements in-game before starting long research queues.