Recycler Upgrades
Recycler Upgrades unlocks Reapers and improves salvage ships.
Quick stats
| Effect at level 1 | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Reaper base shield | 25 |
| Reaper base attack | 50 |
| Recycler base speed | 100 |
| Reaper speed | +10% |
| Reaper fresh combat debris recovery | +2% |
Base-stat increases apply before ordinary combat and drive bonuses. At level 1, new salvage construction uses Reapers instead of Recyclers; existing Recyclers remain yours. Automatic Reaper recovery needs surviving Reapers, research and available cargo. It collects fresh debris from that battle, not old debris already at the location, and caps at 100%.
Cost and access
Available from level 0 without a lab or research prerequisite. Level 1 costs 19 base RP; later levels grow exponentially before any other-domain tier surcharge. The Research screen shows the current quote and saved funding.
Purchase a completed level immediately with RP, or use automatic investment. Metal, crystal and deuterium are not research payments in 3.0. Physical Research Labs increase RP income, not purchase speed.
Each fifth level adds another initial amount before compounding the bonus itself by 1%. See tier progression.
When to invest
Plan cargo room for salvage and keep existing Recyclers useful on Harvest missions. Research does not grant free replacement Reapers or change their construction price.