shipbuilding Tech Comparison
Modular Design vs Capital Yards
Comparing the Modular Design (Tier 2) and Capital Yards (Tier 3), both shipbuilding 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 | Modular Design | Capital Yards |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T2 | T3 |
| Research time | 8▼ | 24 |
| metal cost | 10,000▼ | 60,000 |
| crystal cost | 5,000▼ | 30,000 |
| Effect | +100% utility slot | enables capital class: true |
▼ marks the lower resource / time cost. Cheaper isn't always better — weigh it against the effect each tech unlocks.
Modular Design
Unlocks module slot expansion. Ships gain +1 utility slot.
Unlocks buildings: shipyard mk2
Unlocks ships: corvette mk1, miner mk1
Requires: shipbuilding 1
Capital Yards
Enables construction of capital ships.
Unlocks buildings: capital shipyard
Unlocks ships: frigate mk1, hauler mk1
Requires: shipbuilding 2
Which Should You Research First?
The Modular Design is the lower-tier prerequisite step and typically comes first in the shipbuilding branch, opening the path toward Capital Yards.