Skills
Tech Tree and Skill Unlocks (Early Access 0.8.5)
Data Status
- Unlock levels: Early Access 0.8.5, checked 2026-10-06. Other sections retain their earlier review date.
- Official sources: Steam store description and Update 01 patch notes (Dec 16, 2025)
- Unlock levels cross-checked against the Wiki Crafting table and game 0.8.5 community data
How the Tech Tree Works
The tech tree is organized by tiers. Each tier unlocks new blueprints and systems. You earn skill points as you progress, and spending those points locks in your path.
Because the game is in Early Access, unlock costs and tier contents can move between patches. Always verify your current build menu before committing points.
Known Tiers (Early Access Snapshot)
The table below lists representative verified unlocks. See the Skill Tree Planner for the complete table.
The highest unlock found in Early Access 0.8.5 is Tier 27 (Bulk Petrol Tank). No recipe was found at Tier 25. The game has not published a fixed skill-tree level cap.
| Tier | Example unlocks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 2 | Basic Electric Engine Cylinder; Electric Cable; Electric cable extender | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 3 | Consumable Battery; Diesel Engine Cylinder; DuraPack | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 4 | Basic Standing Light; Charge Injector; Diesel Refinery | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 5 | 12 round pistol magazine; Bolt Pistol; DONK Pallet | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 6 | Data Recovery Deck; Diesel Engine Cylinder Booster; Echo Horn | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 7 | Drone Charge Pad; Flamer Pistol; ONi FuelLite | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 8 | Cyclone; Diesel Tank; Efficiency Matrix | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 9 | Advanced Standing Light; Breacher Barrel; CS-17 Courier Skimmer | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 10 | Flamethrower; Food Processor; ONi PetroFlow | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 11 | 30 round rifle magazine; Battery Barrel; Bolt Rifle | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 12 | Conservation Coil; Depth Glow; Diesel Barrel | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 13 | 360 Standing Light; Boat Extension, Gyro Deck; Decoy Deployment Pod | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 14 | Electric Rifle; Fresh Water Barrel; Nebula | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 15 | Consumable Large Battery; Electric Wall Socket; Large Electric Generator | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 16 | CO2 Tank; Double Standing Light; Fuel Wall Socket | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 17 | 5 round BMG magazine; Bolt Sniper; Electric Big Explosive | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 18 | Eclipse; Flash Array; Gas Wall Socket | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 19 | CO2 Barrel; Elysium Bed; Sniper Rod | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 20 | Abyss Glow; Distillation Tower; Oil Tank | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 21 | Entanglement Lens; Quantum Duplicator; Rhino Dismantler | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 22 | CO2 Reactor Tank; Petrol Engine Cylinder Super Booster | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 23 | Deep Scan-500 Add-On; Recovery Grinder | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 24 | Bulk Battery; Elysium Bed Atmos | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 25 | No recipe found at this tier in 0.8.5 | Gap in reviewed data |
| Tier 26 | Bulk Diesel Tank | Cross-checked (B) |
| Tier 27 | Bulk Petrol Tank | Cross-checked (B) |
Update 01 Changes (Official)
Update 01 patch notes mention new compost modules (Mark I and Mark II) and temperature tuning skills. If you are playing on that update, expect new food-related unlocks and recycler changes.
Playstyle Priorities
- Building focus: prioritize power cables, storage, and generation
- Exploration focus: prioritize tools, storage, and battery upgrades
- Efficiency focus: check crafting needs and verified recipes before spending skill points
Verification Checklist
- Open the build menu and confirm unlock costs in your current patch
- Record any changes after official patch notes
- Use the Skill Planner to track your point plan
For skill point totals and level behavior, see the complete skill tree guide.
