States of Power Technology Tree
Navigate the States of Power technology tree: infantry weapons to the atomic bomb. Optimal research paths for every playstyle.
The Technology Tree Structure
The technology tree in States of Power progresses from early-World-War-II equipment in 1939 through to the atomic bomb by 1945. Research is divided into four main branches: Infantry Weapons, Armoured Vehicles, Air Power, and Industrial Technology. Each branch offers approximately 15 upgrade tiers that improve the capabilities of relevant unit types.
Research takes time — typically 60 to 120 in-game days per tier depending on your research infrastructure. Choosing which technologies to prioritise is one of the most consequential strategic decisions in the game.
Infantry Weapons Branch
The infantry weapons branch upgrades the effectiveness of your foot soldiers from bolt-action rifles through to semi-automatic and eventually fully automatic weapons. Each tier provides a meaningful combat bonus to infantry divisions, making this branch essential regardless of your strategic approach.
Key milestones: early-war bolt-action rifles (baseline), semi-automatic rifles (significant combat power increase, unlock at tier 4), assault rifles (late-game bonus, among the most impactful upgrades in the tree).
Armoured Vehicles Branch
The armoured vehicles branch improves tank firepower, armour, and mobility. Early tanks are thinly armoured and armed with low-velocity guns. Upgrading through the tree transforms them into heavily armoured beasts capable of destroying anything in their path.
Key milestones: improved suspension and engine (mobility upgrade, tier 3), high-velocity anti-tank gun (armour penetration upgrade, tier 5), heavy tanks (unlock at tier 7, devastating but slow and expensive).
Air Power Branch
The air power branch covers both fighters and bombers. Fighter upgrades improve speed, firepower, and climb rate — essential for establishing and maintaining air superiority. Bomber upgrades increase payload capacity and defensive armament.
Key milestones: monoplane fighters (tier 2, significant improvement over biplanes), heavy bombers (tier 6, enables strategic bombing campaigns), jet fighters (tier 9, ultimate air superiority platform).
Industrial Technology Branch
The industrial branch does not directly improve military units but instead increases production efficiency, unlocks new construction types, and improves research speed. This branch is frequently undervalued by new players but is arguably the most strategically important.
Key milestones: assembly line production (efficiency bonus, tier 2), synthetic rubber production (removes dependency on overseas rubber supply, tier 4), nuclear research (prerequisite for the atomic bomb, tier 8).
Optimal Research Paths
There is no universally optimal path — your research priorities should reflect your strategic situation. An aggressive Germany should prioritise infantry weapons and armour to maintain offensive momentum. A defensive Soviet Union should invest in industrial technology to out-produce the enemy over time. A naval-focused United Kingdom should balance air power with industrial technology to sustain a global supply network.
The atomic bomb, unlocked at the end of the nuclear research path, is a game-changing weapon that can instantly destroy enemy divisions in a province and devastate their industrial capacity. However, reaching it requires significant investment in the industrial branch, which may come at the cost of military research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about States of Power.
What technology should I research first?
For most nations, infantry weapons tier 1 is the best first research because it affects every division you have. The second priority should be either industrial technology tier 1 (for long-term efficiency) or armour tier 1 (for immediate combat benefit), depending on your strategic situation.
Can I catch up if I fall behind in technology?
Yes. The research speed penalty for being behind is not severe, and focusing research on a few critical paths lets you close the gap relatively quickly. Falling behind on multiple branches simultaneously is much harder to recover from.
Is the atomic bomb worth pursuing?
The atomic bomb is decisive if you reach it before your opponents. It can destroy entire armies and industrial centres. However, the research investment is substantial and diverts resources from conventional military production. In most sessions, the game ends before the bomb is developed.