Research tree parts

[cr055H41rz]

What do the numbers followed by the letter c given to individual parts that you haven't researched yet mean? Can you research individual parts?

Note: If you install a mod like mechjeb and you've already researched flight control you can click on the mechjeb 2 case and it will ask you if you want to research that part.

Edited March 31, 2014 by cr055H41rz
Question answered by 5thHorseman

[Superfluous J]

When you research a node, it unlocks all the things in that node. This may change in future versions when money becomes an issue but for now, it's all free to research the parts and they happen automatically.

When you add a mod with parts in that node, though, they start out locked but visible. You have to go and "pay" the c cost for them. It means nothing right now and it's still free even though there is a cost associated with it. This may also change in the future when they add money to the game.

[Dispatcher]

I've noticed that the cost of a part as seen in the VAB/ SPH can be (and usually is) different from the c value of the same part as shown in the tech tree.

[LethalDose]

The cost of a part in the research tree is labeled "Unlock Cost", or something similar. Presumably, access to a part will be behind several barriers:

1. The science cost to unlock the tech node
   
2. A credit cost to unlock the part for use
   
3. A credit cost per part to add it to a ship
   

A mechanic like this allows you to cherry pick the parts you want to unlock for use, which I guess saves you money and allows for different play styles, but it's also could be restrictive and the expense could add up. On the one hand, it's another mechanic the devs can tweak for game balance. On the other hand, it's another mechanci the devs have to tweak for game balance.

Again, I'm wondering how much consideration the devs have given this multi-tiered cost structure for parts, what what they think it adds to game play.

Although all of this is speculation based on what's currently in the game. Its possible that this mechanic will be dropped well prior to when budgets/credits/money are introduced to the game, which the devs are only now getting to after ~ 3 years of development.

[AlexinTokyo]

I had interpreted this slightly differently.

I think that the science cost will unlock all parts in the node, but individual parts from a locked but visible node can be unlocked separately by paying the unlock cost.

So if you desperately need a solar panel, but don't have enough science to unlock the node, you can pay cash for a prototype panel which will allow you access to that part only. But you can't just buy LV-N tech without getting at least close on the tech tree.

It will be interesting to see how they actually implement this, that's for sure.