If you want to unlock special weapons, ammunition, and upgrades in Grand Theft Auto Online, Bunker Research is one of the systems you need to understand. Research normally takes time while your bunker staff work in the background, but Research Missions let you speed up the process.
What You Need Before Starting
First, you need to own a Bunker and complete its initial setup. After completing the setup and the first Supply Mission, your bunker can produce supplies, stock, and research. You also need to be playing in a public session when using the bunker laptop to manage the business.
Once your bunker is ready, you do not have to return to the computer every time you want to request a Research Mission. Rockstar added the option to contact Agent 14 directly while you are in Freemode.
How To Start A Research Mission
The process is simple:
- Open your phone and contact Agent 14.
- Choose the option to Request Bunker Research.
- Accept the mission that appears.
- Travel to the location shown on your map.
- Find and eliminate the heavily armed target.
- Collect the research material dropped by the target.
- Lose the police if they are pursuing you.
- Return the research material to your Bunker.
How The Mission Works
After requesting the mission, Agent 14 sends you after a heavily armed target who is carrying research. When you reach the area, look for signs of a police confrontation. Police vehicles, helicopters, gunfire, and other activity can help you locate the target.
The target is tougher than an ordinary enemy and can take significant damage. Keep your distance when possible and use cover to avoid being overwhelmed. Once the target is defeated, the research material becomes available.
You must leave your vehicle and collect the material manually. After picking it up, the police may become your next problem. Escape the wanted level and drive back to your Bunker. Enter the facility and deliver the material to finish the mission.
What Do Research Missions Give You?
The main reward is Research Progress. Completing a Research Mission provides a significant boost to the research bar, allowing your bunker staff to finish the current project sooner. Research progress is usually the main reason to do it.
Research can unlock several useful items, including special ammunition, weapon modifications, and upgrades for certain weaponized vehicles. However, you cannot normally choose exactly which research project your bunker completes next. Projects are assigned from the available research pool.
How Often Can You Do Them?
Research Missions are not designed to be repeated continuously without a break. After completing one, there is a cooldown before Agent 14 can provide another.
Because of this, it makes sense to use the waiting period for other activities. You can continue playing while your bunker research progresses.
Research Missions Vs Regular Research
Research Missions are a boost, not a replacement for the bunker research system. Your staff still need supplies to work on research. At the bunker computer, you can assign staff to Research, Manufacturing, or both.
You can also use Fast-Track Research at the laptop to immediately complete the current project for GTA$, although the cost can become expensive.
Research progress continues in Grand Theft Auto Online, so you can combine the bunker with other activities rather than waiting for a project to finish. This is useful for players seeking special ammunition or vehicle upgrades without spending heavily on Fast-Track options. Check the bunker status to know when the project has finished.
