Game of War Research Gear Guide

Research is an integral part to the power of an empire and even more so to the quality and strength of a players
hero in Game of War. As research in a section advances, the research time becomes long.
Luckily Game of War offers several options to reduce the research time. Aside from 10% and 20% 1 hour
research speed boost items which are usually won from solo events or inferno events, Game of War also offers
the opportunity to reduce research time with hero gear.
In this article we look at the most popular and best hero gear for research in Game of War. We have split up the
article in two sections:
1. Hero gear crafted from purely common materials which can be found in resource tiles and from daily and
alliance quests.
2. Gear crafted materials which are obtained from special event gear chests and from event dragon drops.
For non-spenders it may be more difficult to obtain the special materials in legendary quality. Each event has
specific rare materials which dont drop as often from monsters and are more elusive even in event specific
chests. The rare materials are mainly cotton, spring water, wax, ripped hearts, lotus, soul, and ivory.

Common Gear
The best research items one can craft from regular materials are without a doubt the chalice, spiked armor and
scythe. Each player should have these items to improve their research speed if not opting for other event gear
with research boost. Other highly recommended items are the decanter, vase, and the mirror. All these are
accessible at earlier stages in the progress of ones empire and all three require glass.
As a general rule, almost each item which requires glass to be crafted will offer a research boost. Only very few
items which need glass do not offer any research speed increase and most of those are special event gear. Glass
can be found in ore mine, which are best gathered from with regular cavalry troops.

Accessories
Chalice

Hero level: 40
Cost: 80,000 silver
Required materials: Jewel, Feather, Glass x2
Category: Accessory
Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality
25%
30%
Research speed 20%
50%
75%
Silver production 40%
100%
125%
Food production 80%

With solid 30% research speed boost in legendary quality the chalice is one of the best performing accessories.
Available at hero level 40 already at the cost of 80,000 silver coins the chalice impresses especially by its
combination of research speed boost with also food production and silver production boost. Requiring only two
glass mats, the chalice is at the same time easier to craft than both the decanter and the vase.
The chalice also requires one feather and one jewelry mat to be crafted. Both are found commonly in daily and
alliance quests.
It is not uncommon to find players with three (legendary) chalices in their research outfit. Chalices can be
gemmed [sic] up with silver gems, production gems or even with monster focused gems to improve hero energy
recovery in between recharge times.
Other recommended accessories for research are the previously mentioned already Glass Vase and the
Decanter. The Vase is a level 15 item and requires 3 glass mats, making it more difficult to craft in legendary
quality (30% research boost). The vase can also be obtained from earlier level solo event third prize level
reward. This is most often a green vase (15% research speed boost) and can be won at stronghold level 7 or 8.

A legendary chalice with Silver, Production and Fire gem

The decanter clocks in at 27% research speed boost in legendary quality. Just like the Vase, the decanter
requires three glass mats. The decanter can be started at hero level 20 and costs only 40,000 silver coins.
Neither accessories have any other boost than research speed improvement.

Further honorable mentions go to the Hygeias Pendant (Hero level 50, 18% research boost) thanks to its 24%
troop health bonus and to the Mirror, a favorite of many because of its 27% research speed boost and 13.5%
construction speed boost. Neither are part of our favorite research gear though and nor is the mirror
recommended for its construction boost considering the much better speed bonus provided by the Odyssey
Books.
We recommend players to craft two research boosting accessories at an early stage, of common (green) or rare
(blue) quality. Benefiting 15-20% research speed boost early on already may make a difference in progress and
glass is not that elusive a material and can easily be found.

Weapons
Not many common gear weapons offer any research speed boost. At the time of publication of this article only
one weapon made from only common materials offers a research boost.
Scythe

Hero level: 40
Cost: 117,500 silver
Required materials: Glass, Timber, Metal x2
Category: Weapons
Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality
10%
12.5%
15%
Research speed
15%
20%
(Strategic) Cavalry Attack 12.5%
6.3%
7.5%
10%
(Strategic) Trap Attack
With 15% research speed boost the Scythe, which is available at hero level 40, is a weapon to have in legendary
quality. Because of its rather low cost and ease to craft requiring only glass, timber, and 2 metal mats it is
recommended to craft the Scythe as soon as accessible and rare quality is (blue) achieved. Even at 10% research
speed boost only this will dramatically reduce the research times when combined with research speed
improving accessories and an armor.
As a weapon the Scythe is rather poor but nevertheless it is an excellent pre-level 50 hero weapon for those
wanting to raid hive by attacking lower power empires. The scythe boost cavalry and trap attack, but we
definitely dont recommend to stay unshielded and take hits, banking on the scythes trap boosting power unless
a trap account waiting to achieve hero level 50 and craft better combat gear. The scythe should be crafted purely
because of its research speed and nothing else. Not because of its combat boosts.

Armor
Not many common gear weapons offer any research speed boost. At the time of publication of this article 1 only
one weapon made from only common materials offers a research boost.
Spiked Armor

Hero level: 31
Cost: 85,200 silver
Required materials: Marble, Plating, Glass x2
Category: Armors
Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality
16.4%
20.5%
24.6%
Research speed
6.2%
8.2%
(Strategic) Infantry Attack 5.1%
5.1%
6.2%
8.2%
Siege Attack
Accessible already at hero level 31 and requiring marble, plating and 2 glass mats, the spiked armor is an
excellent research speed improving armor which should be crafted as soon as possible. With solid 16.4%
research speed boost in rare quality (blue) already the spiked armor is compulsory equipment for each nonspender but also for low to medium spenders who may lack in materials for special event gear with research
boost. In legendary quality the spiked armor offers respectable 24.6% research speed reduction, beating most
special event gear armors with research focus.
Like pretty much any common materials hero gear below level 50, the spiked armor doesnt offer much in
combat boosts and is an armor for shielded players.

Special Event Gear

Helmets
Reapers Hood

Hero level: 50
Cost: 100,000,000 silver
Required materials: Death Ashes, Reapers Tooth, Ripped Heart x2
Event Category: Halloween 2014
Category: Helmets

Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality

21.01%
28.99%
40%
Research speed
32%
40%
(Strategic) Troop Attack 28%
12%
15%
(Strategic) Troop Health 10.5%
8%
10%
(Strategic) Troop Defense 7%
87.5%
100%
125%
March Speed
Not only does the Reapers Hood excel with an amazing 40% research speed, which is best in class at time of
release, but the elusive helm also offers 125% March Speed increase in legendary quality. Additionally the
Hood has 40% (strategic) troop attack bonus, as well as 15% defense bonus and 10% health bonus making it
also one of the best available combat helmets.
Clocking in at a reasonable 100 million Silver base cost the Hood is without a doubt one of the best hero gear
items one can craft. But a very elusive one due to its material needs requiring two Ripped Hearts, as well as
Death Ashes and Reapers Tooth. If it werent for the Ripped Hearts the Reapers Hood would have become
much more popular than it is but the ripped hearts have elevated the hood to probably one of the most rare
items, even if among the best helms available.
Helm of Fire

Hero level: 50
Cost: 310,000,000 silver
Required materials: Metal, Black Flame, White Flame, Blue Flame
Event Category: Fire Age (2014)
Category: Helmets
Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality
23.96%
30.18%
38%
Research Speed
33.31%
40%
(Strategic) Troop Health 24.66%
37.04%
45%
(Strategic) Ranged Attack 30.49%
40.21%
49.93%
62%
Upkeep Reduction
Costing an almost ridiculous 310 million silver base price, the Helm of Fire offers 38% research boost in
legendary quality and has become very popular due to its 62% upkeep reduction. The Helm of Fire is one of the
few hero equipment items which also offer a solid boost to ranged troops, 45% attack boost in legendary quality
while also boosting troop health with rock solid 40%, making the helm a unique item and when considered in
troop selection a great combat helmet.
Sadly the Helm of Fire, awesome it is, is very expensive not only in silver but also in materials requiring black,
white and blue flames from Fire Age chests. Those who have the materials and can not craft the Reapers Hood
should consider the Helm of Fire but we do not recommend it as the ultimate research boosting helm of choice.
A remote second option.

Hell Vent Helm

Hero level: 50
Cost: 198,326,015 silver
Required materials: Blue Flame, Black Flame, Purple flame, Pig Foot
Event Category: Fire Age Gear 2015
Category: Helmets
12.57%
22.28%
38%
Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality
18.18%
32.24%
55%
(Strategic) Infantry Attack
23.44%
40%
(Strategic) Troop Health Bonus 13.22%
20.49%
36.36%
62%
Upkeep Reduction
Research Speed

This Fire Age 2015 helm is among the best helmets for research boost, together with the Helm of Fire second to
only the Reapers Hood with 38% research speed boost in legendary quality.
The Hell Vent helm is an excellent combat helm as well especially for players who love to attack with heavy
focus on infantry [solo attacks]. The Hell Vent helm also offers excellent 40% health boost to all troops.
Antler Helm

Hero level: 25
Cost: 7,760,000 silver
Required materials: Leather, Coal, Wax x2
Event Category: Winter Gear 2013
Category: Helmets
Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality
20%
25%
37.5%
Research Speed
15%
20%
(Strategic) Ranged Attack 12.5%
6.3%
7.5%
8.2%
Troop Load
This Winter Gear 2013 helm is an old favorite to boost research speed. Offering awesome 37.5% research speed
bonus in legendary quality, the Antler Helm excels especially due to its good research speed boost in lower
quality levels rare (blue) and epic (purple) of respectively 20% and 25% because of the need to have two
elusive wax mats.

At 7,760,000 silver coins (only) the Antler helm is very accessible and recommended, even at lower quality
levels for low to medium spenders who may lack in wax mats. The Antler Helm is available from Hero level 25
already.
Wicker Hat

Hero level: 45
Cost: 12,810,000 silver
Required materials: Feather, Crystal Egg, Weaving Grass x2
Event Category: Spring Gear 2014
Category: Helmets
Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality
17.5%
20%
25%
Research Speed
8%
10%
(Strategic) Troop Defense 7%
70%
80%
100%
Food Production
70%
80%
100%
Silver Production
Due to its ease to craft requiring only one elusive material (Crystal Egg), the Wicker Hat is not only popular
because of its 25% research speed boost but also for its 100% silver production bonus in legendary quality. At a
cost of 12,810,000 silver the Wicker Hat is a cheap solution to improve research speed, requiring Spring chest
materials which are rather common.
Despite its 8% Troop defense boost the Wicker Hat is useless in combat. Absolutely useless.
Spiked Rock Skull

Hero level: 35
Cost: 9,673,000 silver
Required materials: Marble, Crushed Granite, Verdant Moss x2
Event Category: Golem Gear 2014
Category: Helmets
Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality
10.5%
12%
15%
Research speed
14.4%
18%
Construction speed 12.6%
68%
85%
Silver Production 59.5%
78.4%
98%
Food Production 68.6%

The Spiked Skull Rock helm is popular among especially lower power level players. Introduced during the
Golem monster series, the Spiked Skull Rock is especially popular due to its double boost for both construction
and research speed. The helmet additionally also offers respectable 85% silver production boost and 98% food
production boost in legendary quality.
At almost 10 million silver base cost, the Spiked Rock Skull is a solid investment and its cost will quickly be
recovered if a player has several villas at advanced level.

Armors
Mammoth Bone Cuirass

Hero level: 40
Cost: 8,000,000 silver
Required materials: Metal, Snowball, Wax, Coal
Event Category: Winter Gear 2013
Category: Armors
Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality
25%
30%
Research Speed 20%
115%
147.5%
Food Production 92%
Introduced with the Winter 2013 Gear, the Mammoth Bone Cuirass is still the only special event armor with
any significant research speed boost and also the best research armor available. In legendary quality the cuirass
boosts research speed with 30%.
Costing 8,000,000 silver, the armor provides only one other boost and has only economical functionality. In
legendary quality the armor will boost food production with respectable 147.5%. For a long time the armor has
also been used gemmed up for monster slaying until the introduction of the Perseus armor.
Despite requiring wax, the armor is cheap to craft and its relative production cost will be earned back in no time
thanks to its research boost. The Mammoth Bone Cuirass is a must have item for each Game of War player.

Feet
Rabbit Boots

Hero level: 20
Cost: 3,748,000 silver
Required materials: Weaving Grass, Hide, Rabbit Fur x2
Event Category: Spring Gear 2014
Category: Feet
Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality
10.8%
13.5%
Research Speed 9.45%
21.6%
27%
Silver Production 18.9%
To say that the Rabbit Boots are a bit underwhelming to boost research speeds would be an understatement
considering their meagre boost of 13.5% only in legendary quality. But at the same time they are also the only
feet with research boost available and their seemingly low boost is with generally low boosts provided by foot
wear in Game of War.
Available at hero level 20 already, the Rabbit Boots are cheap at only 3,748,000 silver base price but require
three materials from Spring Chests as well as hide. Nevertheless every player should craft rabbit boots, unless
new research speed boosting foot wear is released.

Weapons
Char Crusher

Hero level: 40
Cost: 201,365,001 silver
Required materials: Red Flame, Blue Flame, Gold Flame, Horn
Event Category: Winter Gear 2013
Category: Weapons
Rare Quality Epic Quality Legendary Quality
9%
12%
16%
Research Speed
18%
32%
50%
(Strategic) Infantry Attack
12.11%
2%
Enemy (Strategic) Cavalry Defense Debuff 6.6%
12.11%
20%
Enemy (Strategic) Ranged Defense Debuff 6.67%

Another piece of the Fire Age 2015 Gear the Char Crusher is one of the few weapons delivering a solid research
boost. Although at 16% research speed boost in legendary quality the common gear Scythe is still the better
option when it comes to purely research.
The Char Crushers strength is in combat when attacking with infantry especially.