How to research the rare resources?

[Dr. B]

I was wondering, what determines the chance you get that one of the research options is one of the special resources?

-Do you need to have surveyed a system with the resource?

-Or have one inside your borders?

-Is it all just random luck?

-A materials expert scientist surely help, but how much? Is it impossible without? Or a genius or maniac maybe?

-Maybe you need tier 1 or higher research completed in the respective field if it is tier 2?

-Do ethos or traits help in this tech-selection?


So basically I wonder if any special rules apply like having sensor or empire access, or if it is just random luck.

 

[MrParadux]

As far as I understand the files, the techs show up depending on a strategic resource being near your territory. The exception being living metal

 

[hjarg]

You have to have some rare resources nearby, yes.

 

[Dr. B]

Alright.
So the only way to find more if you dont have some specific resource is to expand your territory and hope that you get near to something interesting.

Ah well, at least it adds randomness.

 

[The Founder]

The primary limit on those techs is sensor tech.
Going around with Radar makes it impossible to find certain rare resource. Subspace Sensor in paricular unlocks a ton of Rare Resouce techs, but the top is better.

I do not think proximity maters. I got to research tech despite the fact that there was none in the entire (for me) known universe inlcuding all surveyed systems.

Living metal is a special case, you only can get the start here from Surveying a broken Ringworld segment that has the resource.

 

[Dr. B]

Okay! So sensors increase your findings, that is very helpful.

I wonder if you (materialists) get a boost with the observatoy spaceport module.

 

[The Founder]

Okay! So sensors increase your findings, that is very helpful.

I wonder if you (materialists) get a boost with the observatoy spaceport module.

Stuff is a bit more complicated then even I asumed and it depends wich "area" and somethimes wich specific resource you wan to have. In either case those are requirements, not bonuses to drawing the tech.

The technology list on the wiki (while quite possibly not up to date) says this:
Under engineering:
Garanthium, Orillium and Teldar need "Mineral Processing" plus the potential resource in your Borders (unbeknowst to you).

Under Physics:
Lithuric Gas needs Gravity Sensors
Satramene+Zro needs Subspace Sensors
Dark Mater + Neutronium need Taychon Sensors

Social
Xenology (alien pets) needs: Biodiversity Studies + Finding alien life.
Engos and Phitaran need Genome Mapping + potential resource
Terestial Sculpting (terraforming stuff) needs "Home System Surveyed completely"