Best Research & Building Guide

This guide covers the best Research to unlock first in Monster Hunter Outlanders and how building works: how to unlock Research, what you can build with it, build limits, and the unlock priority we recommend. Information is as of November 10, 2026.

What Is Research?

Research lets you unlock nodes that open up new facilities and tools to craft, and unlock or upgrade abilities. The nodes on the Research screen are sorted into four tabs: Build, Glider, Survival and Gathering.

▶ Research List

How to Unlock Research

Unlock Research with Research Point

You unlock most nodes by spending Research Point. Select a node and, if you have enough, tap the button to research it. The cost differs from node to node, and some nodes are upgraded over several levels. With this many nodes, decide which ones to unlock before you start spending.

Some Nodes Cost Materials Instead

Some nodes, such as Energy Capacity, are unlocked with materials like wood instead of Research Point. As long as you have the materials, it's worth upgrading them early.

Some Nodes Need a Quest or Another Node First

Some nodes have extra conditions, such as clearing a certain quest or unlocking a related node. Tap a node to see its conditions at the bottom right. For example, Sand Resistance needs the quest Sandstorm Countermeasures, and Catapult Upgrade needs Catapult first.

How to Get Research Point

You get Research Point by raising your Research Level, which goes up as you explore the field. Raising your Proof of Mastery also gives Research Point.

▶ Research Point / ▶ Proof of Mastery

What You Can Build

Research Unlocks What You Can Build

Unlocking the nodes in the Build tab lets you build facilities in the field, such as Camp, Zip Line, Wind Platform and Catapult. The Gathering tab also unlocks Gatherers you can build (Ore Gatherer, Wood Gatherer and Plant Gatherer).

What Each Build Does

Unlocking these makes getting around the field much easier, and Gatherers you place collect their materials automatically every day.

Travel Builds Can Be Upgraded

Research also has upgrades for Wind Platform, Zip Line and Catapult (Wind Platform Upgrade, Zip Line Upgrade and Catapult Upgrade). They raise how high you rise, how far you travel and how long you glide without using energy after a launch, so consider them if the builds feel too limited.

▶ Camp Locations / ▶ Fast Travel / ▶ Gathering

Build Limits and Materials

Each Area Has a Build Limit

Each facility has a limit on how many you can build in an area. To build past the limit, you have to remove one you've already built, so place them where you often travel or where resources are plentiful. The build screen also shows how many you've built and the limit.

You Can Remove Builds Anytime

You can remove builds you no longer need at any time, either when you build past the limit or from the map. However, the materials are not returned, so avoid placing builds you'll end up wasting.

Watchtower Levels Raise Build Limits

Leveling up a Watchtower raises the limits for your builds. It makes exploring smoother, and Gatherer limits start going up from level 5, so level up your Watchtowers early.

▶ Lusterwasp / ▶ Gathering

Every Build Costs Materials

Even after you unlock a build, you need materials such as wood every time you place one. Gather from trees as you explore so you always have wood on hand.

Best Research to Unlock First

Here's the order we recommend for unlocking Research. Unlock the basic facilities first, then spend your Research Point and materials on the rows near the top.

Undergarments

Unlocking these gives you crafting recipes for Undergarments that cancel environmental effects such as cold and heat. You no longer need to prepare and use countermeasure items while exploring, so we recommend researching them first. Only the recipe is unlocked, so remember to craft the Undergarment too.

▶ Hunger, Heat, Cold & Fainting

Energy Capacity

Raising Energy Capacity lets your glider fly longer and makes exploring more comfortable. It costs wood, so it's easy to upgrade alongside other Research; if you have wood to spare, keep upgrading it. This glider energy is not the same as Energy (stamina).

▶ Energy (Stamina)

Other Glider Upgrades

Other glider upgrades, such as Improved Dash and Stamina Use, also make exploring the field easier. If you have Research Point to spare, keep upgrading them.

Tool Unlocks

Gathering Tools and Fishing Rod let you craft tools that help with gathering and fishing, making it easier to collect items while exploring. Gathering Tools unlocks the recipes for the Wooden Axe and Wooden Pickaxe, and Fishing Rod the recipe for the Iron Fishing Rod.

▶ Gathering / ▶ Fishing

Travel Build Upgrades

Upgrading the builds you place in the field, such as Zip Line, Wind Platform and Catapult, also helps while exploring. The Research Point cost is 3 per level (9 in total) for each, so upgrade them once you have points to spare.

▶ Fast Travel

Other Useful Features

Features such as Endemic Life Scouting, Lynian Sonic Scouting and BBQ Spit aren't essential, but they make exploring handier. Unlock them once you've done the minimum travel upgrades.

▶ Research List / ▶ Research Point

The screenshots are from the Japanese version of the game.