A Level 2 Science Module
Science is an important resource for the player that wants to keep up with the increasing difficulty. Similar to food's leveling system, science allows the upgrading of Modules, both Major and Minor. It can also be used to instantly recharge a hero's active skills.
Artifact[]
An Endless Artifact
In order to research upgrades, an Endless Artifact must first be found. These can be found randomly throughout the dungeon floors. These artifacts do not need power to use, allowing for instant use upon finding one. Artifacts change appearance depending on how many doors are remaining before the research completes, glowing brighter when closer to completion.
Research[]
Activating an artifact prompts a selection of modules to upgrade, one from each of the four categories along the bottom left of the screen. The selection can present options to either upgrade or research an entirely new module. Every upgrade takes 3 doors before it is finished, however all pending upgrades will automatically be finished upon opening the last door of the current level. You cannot research with an artifact after all doors on the floor have been opened, however you can still see what options will be available to research on the next floor. Research options remain the same between floors until a new research is started.
Hovering over any of the options will provide information on the module and its upgrade. Max level for every module is level 4 (except the Shop and Emergency Generator, which have only 1), and occasionally the selection allows one to skip a level at a discount.
Artifact appearance at different doors remaining.
Upon choosing an option, the selection is locked until it is completed. Thus, the decision is final, taking its cost and only returning something in 3 doors. This can be further complicated by the fact that some mobs focus on destroying artifacts, requiring some defense of them and wariness towards using one too far in the darkness. Mobs will only attack an artifact that is actively researching, so if one is found in an indefensible location, it can be preserved by simply not activating it until it can be protected. Unlike player built modules, artifacts cannot be repaired using the Repair skill. If an artifact is destroyed, a Major Slot will be left in its place. Artifacts can also be destroyed manually if desired to use said major slot.
Every upgrade also modifies the appearance of modules, and automatically upgrades any preexisting ones.
Active Skills Recharge[]
Science has another use - resetting the cooldown on hero active abilities. The cost is 3 science per cooldown turns left per skill level.
This action recharges all skills that are on cooldown, you can't select only one skill to recharge if you have both on cooldown. You can't reuse skill before its duration expires (even if you recharge it instantly after use).
Resource[]
In order to gain more science, science modules can be created. Science can also be found randomly in rooms with special platforms, yielding up to 10 science.
