Drone Engine

Drone Engine is an infinite research technology that increases the flight speed of construction drones. It functions as a general logistics and construction upgrade, similar in spirit to Communication Control, by making building work faster and smoother across the early and mid game.

At level 0, construction drone flight speed is 6 m/s. Each completed research level raises that speed further, with the first few levels providing fixed gains and later levels continuing with larger cumulative returns. After version 0.8.19.7662, the increase through level 5 was made more substantial, making the effect easier to feel than before.

• Level 1: cost 200; flight speed +2 m/s; total 8 m/s; requires Mecha core Lv1
• Level 2: cost 400 / 400; flight speed +2 m/s; total 10 m/s; requires Mecha core Lv2
• Level 3: cost 800 / 800 / 800; flight speed +2 m/s; total 12 m/s; requires Mecha core Lv3
• Level 4: cost 1200 / 1200 / 1200 / 1200; flight speed +3 m/s; total 15 m/s; requires Mecha core Lv4
• Level 5: cost 1600 / 1600 / 1600 / 1600 / 1600; flight speed +3 m/s; total 18 m/s; requires Mecha core Lv5
• Level 6 and beyond: cost increases to 2000+ and the bonus remains +3 m/s per level, following (Lv × 3 + 3) m/s total speed

Because it applies to construction drones, Drone Engine is especially useful when large builds require frequent travel between the Mecha and construction targets. Higher levels reduce waiting time while placing structures, which improves the pace of expansion and makes distant or large-scale construction projects feel less sluggish. Since it is infinite research, it remains a long-term upgrade rather than a one-time milestone, and its value increases as the player spends more time on automated building and large infrastructure layouts.