Research Tree
Research unlocks new departments, rigs, and quality-of-life upgrades. Early picks are not about flavor—they set your economy and frustration level for the next ten hours.
Prefer a visual rank? Build your own tier list at TierListMaker Online — then compare with the notes on this page.
Early priorities
Staff certifications and maintenance savings usually beat cosmetic station upgrades. Fuel trims matter on large maps with long patrol loops.
Communication tiers matter the moment you feel the UI throttle your concurrent missions.
Mid-game pivots
Police investigation upgrades shine when case payouts become a core income line. ALS upgrades turn EMS into a reputation engine.
Late game
SWAT unlocks change mission mix—budget for armored logistics and longer incident timers before you commit.