Crafting in Mass Effect: Andromeda can seem daunting at first glance, but once you understand the system’s flow—from scanning and research to crafting and equipping—it becomes a practical and rewarding part of your journey. This guide lays out everything you need to know about blueprints, research data, and the development process so that you can confidently dive into the R&D system and enhance your gameplay experience.

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The Two-Step Foundation: Research and Development

At its core, Andromeda’s crafting system boils down to two major steps:

1. Obtain a blueprint – either by finding, buying, or researching it.
2. Craft the item – using that blueprint and the required materials.

Let’s break this process down in more detail.

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Step One: Acquiring Blueprints

There are two main ways to obtain blueprints:

• Buy or find them – from vendors, containers, enemies, or scattered around the world.
• Research them – using Research Data (RDP), a currency earned by scanning objects.

To begin research, you need to gather research data points, which come in three types:

• Milky Way (tech from your home galaxy)
• Andromeda/Helius Cluster (tech from the new galaxy)
• Mystery Tech (unlocked later in the game)

When using your scanner:

• Red objects = scannable for research points
• Yellow objects = possibly interactable or hidden behind walls/floors
• Transparent objects = already scanned or irrelevant

Each tech category has its own RDP pool. For example, Milky Way research points can’t be used to unlock Helius or Remnant tech. What you scan determines what type of points you get.

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Researching Blueprints at R&D Stations

To research, visit an R&D Station—these are found on the Tempest, at outposts, and in other established areas. Once there, open the Research Menu (left tab) and choose from:

• Milky Way Tech
• Andromeda Tech
• Remnant Tech

Each tech tab contains categories for:

• Weapons
• Armor
• Augmentations

Select a blueprint to view:

• Base version (Tier 1) and subsequent upgrades (Tier 2, 3…)
• Research cost (higher tiers cost more and require the previous tier)
• Crafting material preview (what you’ll need once you want to develop it)
• Rarity level (which affects research cost, not material cost)

Note: You only need research points to unlock blueprints. Crafting materials are only required when you go to make the item.

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Step Two: Crafting Items in the Development Menu

Once you’ve got your blueprint, it’s time to craft the item in the Development Menu (right tab at the R&D Station). You’ll need:

• A researched (or found/purchased) blueprint
• The appropriate crafting materials

Materials can be obtained through:

• Mining (asteroids, planet deposits)
• Looting enemies or containers
• Exploring maps

When you open the Development Menu:

• Ready to craft tab shows what you can immediately make with current materials
• Other tabs sort blueprints by tech category and item type

If you have all the required components, you can:

• Craft the item
• Rename it (optional, but great for customized or augmented builds)

Crafted gear will be added to your inventory, but it’s not auto-equipped. To use it, visit a Loadout Station (like those on the Tempest or in Forward Operating Bases) to equip it to your character.

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Helpful Notes and Tips

• Researching Tier 2+ gear requires the prior tier and possibly a level requirement (e.g., Level 10+ for Tier 3).
• Research and crafting systems are separate—you don’t need materials to research, just points.
• Rarity affects research cost, not crafting requirements.
• The R&D system is accessible anytime at qualifying stations, so you can tweak and build as your journey progresses.

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Wrapping Up

That covers everything you need to know about research data, blueprints, and crafting in Mass Effect: Andromeda. While the system can feel overwhelming at first, it’s really just a matter of familiarizing yourself with the interface and getting into the rhythm of scanning, researching, and developing. Whether you want to craft exotic weapons, powerful armor, or try out some wild augment combinations, the R&D system is there to support your creativity.

And if you ever get lost, return to your R&D station—every bit of info you need is right there. Enjoy crafting, and good luck Pathfinder!