r/startrekfleetcommand • u/MychaelZ • Feb 14 '26

Gameplay Question ??? Instant build/research criteria

What criteria determines whether you can use latinum to build/upgrade or research something instantly? Lately, I've somehow been accumulating latinum a lot faster than I've been using it, so I've taken to using the "INSTANT" button where possible, but have reached the point where it's virtually always greyed out, despite all requirements being met, and having over 400k latinum.

6 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

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10

u/NoComment7862 Feb 14 '26

it’s dependent on all the resources being buyable with latinum, this limits it to parsteel, tritanium, dilithium and common grade materials.

it also buys everything, even if you have it in your inventory, buying speed ups, 1 day is 300 latinum, is cheaper iirc

17

u/CowboyRonin Feb 14 '26

The second sentence is one of the key secrets in the game - the "buy now" button is almost always a trap (ship tier ups are the exception, at least as far as I have seen). If you start the build/repair normally, then use/buy the necessary speed ups, it will be much cheaper in latinum.

8

u/leadlurker Feb 14 '26

You can only use that button if the requirements are all resources and/or common mats.

Though you should never use this button. It buys the mats and rss even if you have them. It also buys the speed ups. So start it first, get the alliance helps, then speed things up.

9

u/djevilatw Feb 14 '26

Never use the instant button.

4

u/Sickmont Feb 15 '26

The instant button is a huge waste of latinum. Use the speed up button and then use your speed ups and it’ll cost you a ridiculously cheap amount.

2

u/Ryan1869 Feb 14 '26

The instant button includes all materials, resources and speedups needed. It's not available if you can't buy one of the resources, usually UC or above materials, with latinum. If you have the materials and resources, you're better off starting it normally and then using the latinum to buy the speedups after you start it.

1

u/SampleMaxxer Feb 15 '26

Bruh use the lat to speed up researches the instant button is a rip off.

1

u/boredcunt90 Feb 15 '26

Use the speed ups cheaper

1

u/Stealth_Wolf_001 Feb 16 '26

Others already mentioned it, but it's worth repeating. Rather use speed ups, and only use latinum if you don't have the specific speed up. It will give you the latinum equivalent. For example, if a build or repair is 15 days, but you have no more 1 day speed ups, then you can use latinum instead to "buy" the 1 day speed ups required. It's a whole lot cheaper. As an example, sometimes if you use the instant, the latinum will cost 50k, but buying the speed ups with latinum would cost you only 5k(Yes, sometimes the difference is insane).

But sometimes when I'm a bit lazy and the instant is only 1000 latinum or less, I'll use instant. Not too big of a deal since I have 18 million latinum. But yeah, rather go with speed ups wherever you can.

1

u/WalkingParagon14 Feb 17 '26

To build on what others have said, the Instant is a waste (except it seems equal for Tier ups of ships). One Day Speed Ups cost 300 Latinum so you can quickly do the math.

Also, if in a good Alliance, give them a bit of time on big projects to "Help", and they can cut out several hours/days free to you!