XCOM Research Time Comparison (Base Days)
Compare 11 XCOM research times, from 3 day Xenobiology to 18 day Ethereal Devices. Base lab times, sourced. Full table with every source listed below.
Visual comparison
All values
Click any row to load it as Entry A.
| Name | Value | Context | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xenobiology 3 days. Fastest row here. | 3 days | XCOM EU first research, opens lab use | UFOpaedia XCOM EU research: Xenobiology 3 days |
| Sectoid Autopsy 4 days. One over Xenobiology. | 4 days | XCOM EU alien autopsy | UFOpaedia XCOM EU research: Sectoid Autopsy 4 days |
| Floater Autopsy 5 days. Tied with New Combat Systems. | 5 days | XCOM EU alien autopsy | UFOpaedia XCOM EU research: Floater Autopsy 5 days |
| New Combat Systems 5 days. Tied with Floater Autopsy. | 5 days | XCOM EU tactical advance | UFOpaedia XCOM EU research: New Combat Systems 5 days |
| Thin Man Autopsy 6 days. One over the 5 group. | 6 days | XCOM EU alien autopsy | UFOpaedia XCOM EU research: Thin Man Autopsy 6 days |
| Alien Materials 6 days. Tied with Thin Man Autopsy. | 6 days | XCOM EU material advance | UFOpaedia XCOM EU research: Alien Materials 6 days |
| Muton Autopsy 8 days. Two over Alien Materials. | 8 days | XCOM EU alien autopsy | UFOpaedia XCOM EU research: Muton Autopsy 8 days |
| Carapace Armor 10 days. Two over Muton Autopsy. | 10 days | XCOM EU armor project | UFOpaedia XCOM EU research: Carapace Armor 10 days |
| Beam Weapons 12 days. Two over Carapace. | 12 days | XCOM EU weapon tier | UFOpaedia XCOM EU research: Beam Weapons 12 days |
| Plasma Weapons 15 days. Three over Beam Weapons. | 15 days | XCOM EU weapon tier | UFOpaedia XCOM EU research: Plasma Weapons 15 days |
| Ethereal Device 18 days. Priciest row here. Three over Plasma. | 18 days | XCOM EU late game device | UFOpaedia XCOM EU research: Ethereal Device 18 days |
About this converter
XCOM Enemy Unknown research runs 3 to 18 days on fixed Foundry times. Xenobiology takes 3, Sectoid Autopsy 4, Floater Autopsy and New Combat Systems 5 each, Thin Man Autopsy and Alien Materials 6 each, Muton Autopsy 8, Carapace Armor 10, Beam Weapons 12, Plasma Weapons 15 and the Ethereal Device 18. That makes one Ethereal Device equal six Xenobiology projects. Every figure here is the base research time before labs and scientists.
How to use it
Pick two entries and a unit in the top row. The three boxes below stay linked. Change any box and the other two update. Try 1 Plasma Weapons against Xenobiology to see the research gap.
Laboratories and extra scientists cut these bases, so rows pin unmodified times with the bonus noted. Long War and console ports rebalance several rows and stay out. Interrogations ride alongside autopsies and stay noted but unrowed. Foundry projects run parallel and never block the lab queue. Council requests never speed research and stay out. Live captures gate interrogations and stay noted. Engineers staff the labs and stay noted.
FAQ
How long is Xenobiology?
3 days unmodified. It opens live interrogations and the lab chain.
How long are Beam Weapons?
12 days unmodified. Carapace at 10 comes first.
How long is the Ethereal Device?
18 days unmodified. Top row here.
Does this include lab bonuses?
No. Labs and scientists cut times, so rows pin base with the bonus noted.
Sources
- UFOpaedia XCOM Enemy Unknown research table: 3 to 18 days base
- Firaxis XCOM EU manual: Foundry and laboratory mechanics cross-check
Last verified: 2026-09-30 · 11 entries
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