logistics Tech Comparison
Trade Routes vs Supply Chain Optimization
Comparing the Trade Routes (Tier 1) and Supply Chain Optimization (Tier 2), both logistics technologies in Starforge MMO. Use this to decide which to queue first when your research lab can only run one project at a time.
Research Comparison
| Attribute | Trade Routes | Supply Chain Optimization |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T1 | T2 |
| Research time | 2▼ | 8 |
| metal cost | 1,000▼ | 10,000 |
| credits cost | 10,000▼ | 15,000 |
| crystal cost | — | 5,000▼ |
| Effect | +1% -market fee | +10% -build time |
▼ marks the lower resource / time cost. Cheaper isn't always better — weigh it against the effect each tech unlocks.
Trade Routes
Reduce market fee by 1% (from 5% to 4%).
Unlocks buildings: trade post
Supply Chain Optimization
Streamlined procurement pipelines cut all ship and building construction times by 10%.
Unlocks buildings: logistics hub
Requires: logistics 1
Which Should You Research First?
The Trade Routes is the lower-tier prerequisite step and typically comes first in the logistics branch, opening the path toward Supply Chain Optimization.