Data is TerraBite's research currency — spent in the TERRA Network Research panel to unlock technologies, buildings, and passive bonuses. You start with zero Data and no way to generate it until you place a Data Relay on a suitable deposit. This guide covers extraction, the full research tree, and priority unlocks for Phase 1 prototype.
Open the Resources overview, then play TerraBite and hunt TERRA archive signals on ruins and rock sectors.
Starting Data
New worlds begin with 0 Data. The Research panel is visible from the start but empty of completed tech until you produce and spend Data. Do not ignore research — passive bonuses and building unlocks define mid- and late-game power.
Producing Data
Data Relay — sole producer
- Build cost: 22 Materials, 18 Energy
- Production: 0.12 Data/s (7.2/min at level 1)
- Consumption: 0.25 Energy/s
- Valid terrain: Industrial Ruins, Exposed Bedrock
- Requires: ruins terrain and data deposit on tile
- Contamination: neutral
Data Relays extract fragmented TERRA network data from old infrastructure. Scan Industrial Ruins and Exposed Bedrock sectors; deposit discovery may show "TERRA SIGNAL DETECTED" with archive integrity and recoverable Data readouts.
Data Relays consume more Energy than they indirectly "pay for" via research — ensure Solar Array coverage before placement. At 0.12 Data/s, Efficient Photovoltaics (100 Data cost) takes roughly 14 minutes of uninterrupted relay production at level 1 — plan early relay placement accordingly.
The Research panel
Open research from the button in the resource bar. The panel shows:
- Data available — current stockpile
- Three branches — Energy Systems, Restoration, Network
- Each entry lists name, description, Data cost, and unlock status
Research completes instantly when you spend Data and meet prerequisites — no build timers on tech itself. Completed entries show done status; locked entries show missing prerequisites or insufficient Data.
Full research tree
Energy Systems branch
| Research | Data cost | Prerequisites | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient Photovoltaics | 100 | — | +20% Solar Array energy production |
| High Density Cells | 180 | Efficient Photovoltaics | +30% Battery Node capacity bonus |
| Geothermal Analysis | 350 | High Density Cells | Unlocks **Geothermal Tap** building |
Restoration branch
| Research | Data cost | Prerequisites | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Optimization | 120 | — | +20% Bio-Reclaimer biomass output |
| Soil Recovery | 220 | Biological Optimization | +25% Bio-Reclaimer contamination reduction |
| Ecological Seeding | 400 | Soil Recovery | Unlocks **Eco Seeder** building |
Network branch
| Research | Data cost | Prerequisites | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient Scanning | 100 | — | −10% scan Energy cost |
| Deposit Analysis | 180 | Efficient Scanning | Deposit quality visible in tile inspector |
| Long Range Protocol | 350 | Deposit Analysis | +1 scan range (marks distant hidden tiles scannable) |
Total Data to complete one full branch to capstone: 630 Data (100+180+350 or 120+220+400 or 100+180+350). Completing everything requires 1,890 Data cumulative — a long-term goal across extended play sessions with localStorage autosaves every 30 seconds.
Research priority recommendations
Priorities depend on your map and playstyle, but general guidance:
Open with Network or Energy
Efficient Scanning (100 Data) pays back quickly on active explorers — 10% off 10 Energy base scan cost adds up across a 21×21 map.
Efficient Photovoltaics (100 Data) boosts every Solar Array permanently — strong if you already run two or more arrays.
Pick scanning if you expand aggressively; pick photovoltaics if you build energy infrastructure first.
Mid-game Restoration
Biological Optimization (120 Data) before mass Bio-Reclaimer placement. Soil Recovery (220 Data) before contamination-heavy sectors become unmanageable.
Capstone unlocks
Geothermal Analysis and Ecological Seeding (350 and 400 Data) unlock Geothermal Tap and Eco Seeder — powerful but expensive. Save for when base Data income supports 7+ Data/min net.
Long Range Protocol (350 Data) accelerates exploration by extending scannable range one step beyond adjacent tiles — excellent for large-map completionists. See Exploration guide.
Data and exploration synergy
Network branch research directly affects scanning:
- Cheaper scans → more tiles revealed per Energy tank
- Deposit Analysis → better salvage and relay site selection
- Long Range Protocol → scannable tiles two steps away from revealed sectors
If you enjoy fog-of-war discovery, prioritize Network. For hex exploration genre context, see the hex strategy game hub.
Data Relay placement tips
1. Scan ruins and rock until "TERRA SIGNAL DETECTED" appears. 2. Compare deposit remaining values in the inspector. 3. Place Data Relay on the richest revealed deposit. 4. Keep relay operational — production stops if Energy hits zero net.
Relays require ruins flag on tile plus data deposit — rock alone is insufficient unless ruins condition is met per building rules.
What Data does not unlock
Data does not purchase Materials, Water, or instant tile reveals. It does not unlock multiplayer or cloud saves — not available in Phase 1 prototype. Narrative secrets beyond research descriptions are outside this guide's scope.
Related guides
- Buildings guide — Geothermal Tap and Eco Seeder stats
- Exploration guide — scan costs and Long Range Protocol
- Biomass guide — Bio-Reclaimer bonuses from Restoration branch
- Energy guide — solar and battery bonuses from Energy branch
Return to the Guides hub or play TerraBite with a Data Relay targeting your first 100 Data unlock.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get Data in TerraBite?
- Place Data Relays on revealed Industrial Ruins or Exposed Bedrock tiles with data deposits. They produce 0.12 Data/s while consuming Energy.
- How much Data does research cost?
- Research costs range from 100 Data (Efficient Photovoltaics, Efficient Scanning) to 400 Data (Ecological Seeding). Each branch has three tiers with prerequisites.
- Which research should I unlock first?
- Efficient Scanning or Efficient Photovoltaics (both 100 Data) are strong openers — scanning savings for explorers, solar bonus for builders. Choose based on whether you scan aggressively or expand Solar Arrays first.
- What buildings require research to unlock?
- Geothermal Tap requires Geothermal Analysis (350 Data). Eco Seeder requires Ecological Seeding (400 Data).
- What does Long Range Protocol do?
- Long Range Protocol (350 Data, requires Deposit Analysis) extends scan range by +1 — hidden tiles two steps from revealed sectors become scannable without scanning the intermediate ring first.