Invention

Invention

How does invention work?

Invention is based on taking a blueprint copy for a lower tech item, adding certain specialized equipment, and attempting to create a blueprint copy for a higher tech item.

What you must have to engage in invention:

• A single blueprint copy of the Tech I item
• Two datacores of a particular type
• One data interface of a particular type
• The required skills to invent
• An available invention slot

Optional additions:

• An actual Tech I item of the type being researched
• A decryptor of a particular type

Invention jobs use lab slots, not factory slots. Once the job time expires, you will receive a message notifying you of the outcome. An invention job will always destroy the Tech I BPC, datacores, Tech I item and decryptors.

The time it takes to complete the invention job depends on where it takes place. The base research time is 4 hours. The time is then modified by the assembly line in the location the job takes place in as listed below. Also listed below is the basic cost of starting a job:

• Empire station in 0.5+ - multiplier: 2.5 (10 hours) - 200.000 ISK
• Empire station in 0.4 and lower - multiplier: 2.0 (8 hours) - 150.000 ISK
• POS in 0.5+ - multiplier: 1.5 (6 hours)- 120.000 ISK
• POS in 0.4 or lower - multiplier: 1.0 (4 hours) - 90.000 ISK
• non-Caldari Outpost - multiplier: 0.75 (3 hours) - 75.000 ISK
• Caldari Outpost - multiplier: 0.5 (2 hours) - 50.000 ISK

Datacores and data interfaces

Datacores can be obtained from Research agents in exchange for research points. Each Research agent sells datacores corresponding to his fields, so a Research agent with the Rocket Science field would sell Datacore - Rocket Science, for instance. Please note that when you purchase datacores from an agent, all outstanding tech II BPO offers you may have with that agent will be invalidated.

The datacores required for invention of a Tech II BPC correspond to the two skills required to manufacture the item itself. For example, manufacturing an 1MN Afterburner II requires the skills Molecular Engineering and Rocket Science. The two datacores required to invent the corresponding Tech II BPC for an 1 MN Afterburner II are thus Datacore - Molecular Engineering and Datacore - Rocket Science. Datacores are always destroyed during invention, no matter whether the job was successful or not.

Data interfaces are manufactured using ingredients found in Hidden Complexes and in certain COSMOS. They require using Hacking and Archaeology to harvest, along with additional skills for manufacturing. All blueprints that can be invented are explicitly linked to one of the eight types of data interfaces, which will tell you which interface you need for the invention attempt. The data interface is never destroyed in a job.

Decryptors and tech I items

Each data interface has a corresponding group of decryptors, and each Tech II item obviously has a corresponding group of Tech I items. The decryptors and Tech Is are not necessary for invention attempts, though they will improve your chances. They will be destroyed in the attempt irrespective of its success.

Skills

Basic skills required to invent are:

• Electronics level II
• Engineering level II
• Electronics upgrades level V
• Science level V
• Hacking level II
• Racial encryption methods level I

Racial encryption methods skills are:

• Amarr Encryption Methods
• Caldari Encryption Methods
• Gallente Encryption Methods
• Minmatar Encryption Methods

Additional skills are required based on the item you are inventing. For example if you are trying to invent a Cruise Missile Launcher II BPC, you need three mechanical engineering datacores and three rocket science datacores. As a result you will need the skills mechanical engineering and rocket science at level I to start the job.