Last Z Research Guide - Best Research Order, Peace Shield, and UST/T10 Path
Checked in game with server 403 players: the safest research order for most accounts is still Hero Training to Cockpit, Military Strategies, then Peace Shield for Urgent Rescue before choosing UST/T10 or late Siege to Seize → Field Research.
Quick Answer
Best Last Z research order for most players: Hero Training to Cockpit, Military Strategies for efficient troop stats, Peace Shield for Urgent Rescue, then choose the shortest practical UST/T10 path for tier progression or Siege to Seize into Field Research for late Recharge Shield scaling.
- Hero Training · stop at Cockpit
- Military Strategies research · Troop HP buffs
- Peace Shield research · Urgent Rescue (-20% losses)
- Choose next path · UST/T10 for tier progression, or Siege to Seize for Field Research
- UST (Unit Special Training) · T10 units (long-term)
Key unlock: Peace Shield matters mainly because it leads to Urgent Rescue, one of the most valuable PvP research unlocks on the tree.
Note: This guide focuses on combat research. For Alliance Recognition (crucial for F2P rewards), see Alliance Recognition Costs and the Alliance Duel Guide.
Best overall order: Hero Training to Cockpit -> Military Strategies -> Peace Shield, then choose UST/T10 or Field Research by goal
Best PvP unlock: Urgent Rescue
Need exact badge totals before you commit? Use the Research Planner to mark completed and planned nodes, then use the Research Costs Atlas when you need the static branch pages.
Last Z Research Tree: Best Research Order
If you are asking what to research first in Last Z, the best answer for most players is not "rush everything toward T10." The stronger route is to take the most efficient unlocks first: Hero Training to Cockpit, Military Strategies for efficient troop stats, and Peace Shield for Urgent Rescue. After that, choose by goal: the shortest practical UST/T10 path for tier progression, or Siege to Seize into Field Research only if you want late Recharge Shield and deep combat scaling.
The research tree in Last Z splits into three practical tracks: base growth (construction and economy), combat power (troops and efficiency), and specialization (events and late-game systems). Early research should remove bottlenecks first, mid-game research unlocks higher tiers, and late-game research adds efficiency and multipliers.
Use this guide as a priority roadmap, but keep your research order aligned with your goal: fastest progression, PvP power, or economy scaling. For deeper branch planning, see our Tech Deep Dive. If you want the bigger account-growth picture around buildings, troops, heroes, and vehicle scaling, use the Power Guide. If you need to estimate exactly how far your current badge stash will take you in one of the most important event branches, use the Alliance Recognition Costs and Planner. In late game, Steel Age becomes the next major gate — see the Steel Guide.
T10 Research Path: When to Push UST
T10 research is a long-term goal, not the first efficient stop for most players. The best path is to collect high-value unlocks first, then move toward UST once your account can support the badge cost and prerequisite path without stalling the rest of your progression.
If your goal is T10 units, keep your path narrow and avoid spending badges on unrelated branches. Do not push into Field Research just because it exists after Siege to Seize; treat that as a late combat-scaling route, not a required stop before UST/T10.
Safe approach: (1) remove HQ bottlenecks, (2) push the core military path to tier unlocks, (3) invest in efficiency nodes once the tier gate is open. Make sure your HQ level keeps pace; see the HQ Upgrade Guide for requirements.
Key Research Nodes (Quick Summary)
How to Unlock Peace Shield Research
Many players search for Peace Shield research because this branch is the gateway to one of the best defensive PvP unlocks on the tree: Urgent Rescue. If your goal is stronger event and PvP survivability, Peace Shield is usually more valuable than over-investing in weaker early branches.
Urgent Rescue Research: Why It Matters
Urgent Rescue is one of the most important reasons to push Peace Shield research. It helps reduce losses in real fights, which makes it far more impactful than many small stat upgrades that look useful on paper but change less in practice.
Military Strategies Research Priority
Military Strategies gives efficient troop-value upgrades after you reach the key Hero Training unlocks. For most players, this branch is a stronger next investment than pushing deeper into low-efficiency Hero Training nodes.
Research Priority Order
Step 1: Hero Training → Cockpit Only
Why: Cockpit gives meaningful hero stat boosts. After Cockpit, you only get ~400 extra ATK/DEF for extremely high badge costs.
Common mistake: Many players max Hero Training thinking it's important. It's a badge trap. Stop at Cockpit and move on.
For the full branch structure, node totals, and the exact cumulative badge cost to reach Cockpit, use the Hero Training Costs page.
Step 2: Military Strategies → Troop HP
Why: This tree is cheap and provides crucial Troop HP buffs. Focus on the bottom nodes that match your main faction's troop type (Assaulter for Blood Rose, etc.).
Tip: Don't max "Move Out" — it's expensive. Upgrade to level 10-20 max.
For the full branch structure, node totals, and exact badge path after Hero Training, use the Military Strategies Costs page.
Step 3: Peace Shield → Urgent Rescue
Unlock requirements: 50% Shelter Building + 45% Military Strategies.
Key research: Urgent Rescue reduces unit deaths by up to 20% (10 ranks). This is the direct counter to enemy Annihilation skill. Essential for PvP.
For the exact badge cost to reach Urgent Rescue and the full node structure behind Recharge Shield, use the Peace Shield Costs page.
For Alliance Duel-related badge planning, use the Alliance Recognition Costs page. The planner there is useful when you want to compare your current badge stash against the next meaningful checkpoint before spending.
Step 4: Choose UST/T10 or Siege to Seize by Goal
Main decision: after Peace Shield and Urgent Rescue, do not treat Field Research as mandatory. If your goal is tier progression, stay on the shortest practical path toward UST and T10. If your goal is late PvP scaling and Recharge Shield, then push Siege to Seize and later Field Research.
When to delay Siege to Seize: If you prefer defensive play, are in a NAP alliance, or need badges for UST/T10 gates, delay this tree.
If you choose the offensive / Recharge Shield route, use the Siege to Seize Costs page and then the Field Research Costs page.
Step 5: UST (Unit Special Training)
Goal: Unlock T10 units — the strongest troops in the game.
Cost: 1,488,100 badges total. Takes years for F2P or ~$15,000 to speed up. Farm badges from Lucky Discounter events.
For the exact branch totals before you commit to the long T10 path, use the Unit Special Training Costs page.
Do not rush it: if your account still lacks efficient mid-game value in Hero Training, Military Strategies, or Peace Shield, those branches usually deserve badges first. Compare Siege to Seize and Field Research against your UST/T10 goal before spending rare badges there.
Research Tips from Top Players
- Buy Second Laboratory — adds a second research queue, but check timing and Research License cost before treating it as mandatory
- Align with Capital Buff — reduces research time by 1 hour when active
- Save stars and speed-ups — use during research events for bonus rewards (see Alliance Duel Day 3)
- Don't rush Fully Armed Alliance (FAA) — leave it for later, focus on defensive research first
- Check unlock requirements — plan your path to unlock new trees efficiently
Research Trees Unlock Order
How Trees Unlock
Each research tree unlocks when you complete or reach a certain percentage in previous trees:
- New Home → unlocks HQ Management
- 100% Elite Troops → unlocks Military Strategies
- 50% Shelter + 45% Military Strategies → unlocks Peace Shield
- 40% Military Strategies → unlocks Siege to Seize
- 100% Siege to Seize -> unlocks Field Research (594k badges for Recharge Shield; late combat-scaling route, not required before UST/T10)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Last Z research tree order?
For most players: Hero Training to Cockpit, Military Strategies for efficient troop stats, and Peace Shield for Urgent Rescue. After that, choose the shortest practical UST/T10 path for tier progression, or Siege to Seize into Field Research only if you want late Recharge Shield and deep combat scaling.
Is Hero Training worth maxing in Last Z research priority?
No. Only research until Cockpit. After that, you get minimal stats (+400 ATK/DEF) for very high badge costs. Those badges are better spent on Military Strategies or saving for UST.
What is Urgent Rescue (Peace Shield research) in Last Z?
Urgent Rescue is one of the strongest reasons to push Peace Shield research. It reduces losses in combat and gives more real PvP value than many smaller stat upgrades elsewhere on the tree.
Should I rush T10 research first?
Usually no. T10 is a long-term goal. Most accounts get better value from efficient intermediate unlocks like Military Strategies and Peace Shield before fully committing to the UST path.
Where are Peace Shield and Urgent Rescue in the research tree?
They sit in the core defensive track and unlock after meeting percentage requirements in earlier trees. Prioritize them if PvP pressure is high on your server.
How many badges do I need for UST (Unit Special Training)?
1,488,100 badges for full T10 unlock through UST. This takes years for F2P players. Whales can speed it up for $15,000 USD.
Should I buy the second Laboratory in Last Z?
Usually yes if you can keep both research queues active, but treat it as a timing decision, not an early-game requirement. See the Second Laboratory Guide for the buy/delay checklist.
How do I unlock Peace Shield research in Last Z?
Peace Shield unlocks through prerequisite progress in earlier research branches. The exact path depends on your current tree progress, but most players reach it after prioritizing efficient early unlocks instead of over-investing in low-impact nodes.
Is Military Strategies better than pushing Hero Training further?
Usually yes after you reach the key Hero Training unlocks. Military Strategies gives efficient combat value, while deeper Hero Training investment often becomes much less efficient for the badge cost.
Glossary
Research Abbreviations
- UST — Unit Special Training (for T10 units)
- PS — Peace Shield
- STS — Siege to Seize
- FAA — Fully Armed Alliance
- T10 — Tier 10 units (strongest troops)
- Badges — Currency for research
- Cockpit — Key research in Hero Training tree
Before Spending Research Badges
- Use this page to choose direction, then open the linked branch page and your live research screen before spending badges.
- Field Research is late combat scaling, not a required stop before UST/T10.
- If your server, season, or account goal is unusual, confirm the exact branch requirement in game before committing rare badges.