Last War Special Forces research is one of the most important military technology paths because it eventually leads to Unit X and Tier 10 troops. However, the tree is expensive enough that researching every available level before reaching Unit X can delay the upgrade you actually want.
The key is understanding which Special Forces nodes are required for the T10 path, how many Valor Badges each stage consumes, and when additional Special Forces levels become worth researching.
This guide focuses entirely on spending Valor Badges inside Special Forces. If you need to know where the badges come from, use the Last War Valor Badges Guide instead.
What Is Special Forces Research in Last War?
Special Forces is an advanced Tech Center research tree containing troop-stat upgrades, Morale, damage reduction, training improvements, troop recovery bonuses, and the final Unit X technology.
The tree contains several recurring types of research:
- HP Boost increases unit base HP.
- Attack Boost increases unit base Attack.
- Defense Boost increases unit base Defense.
- Weapon Training improves unit Attack.
- Defense Training improves unit Defense.
- Advanced Armor improves unit HP.
- Advanced Protection improves survivability.
- Morale raises unit Morale.
- Support nodes improve troop training and recovery.
- Unit X unlocks Tier 10 troop training.
The important distinction is that completing the entire Special Forces tree and taking the shortest path to Unit X are not the same thing. Many early nodes can eventually be researched beyond the minimum level needed to continue toward T10.
Last War Special Forces Research Cost by Node
The table below uses the Unit X research path as a planning baseline. The listed level represents the target used on that route, not necessarily the maximum level available for the technology.
| Special Forces Node | T10 Path Target | Approx. Valor Badges | Main Effect / Unlock |
| HP Boost I | Level 4 | 1,000 | Raises unit base HP and advances the early tree |
| Attack Boost I | Level 4 | 1,000 | Raises unit base Attack |
| Defense Boost I | Level 4 | 1,000 | Raises unit base Defense |
| Advanced Protection – Early | Level 4 | 1,600 | Adds survivability and opens deeper progression |
| Defense Training VII | Level 4 | 1,800 | Improves unit Defense |
| Weapon Training VII | Level 4 | 1,800 | Improves unit Attack |
| Advanced Armor VII | Level 4 | 1,800 | Improves unit HP |
| Focused Training I | Level 1 | 520 | Supports unit-training efficiency |
| Barracks Expansion I | Level 1 | 520 | Improves Barracks training capacity |
| HP Boost II | Level 3 | 2,400 | Further increases unit base HP |
| Attack Boost II | Level 3 | 2,400 | Further increases unit base Attack |
| Defense Boost II | Level 3 | 2,400 | Further increases unit base Defense |
| Morale | Level 3 | 3,200 | Raises unit Morale |
| Defense Training VIII | Level 3 | 3,700 | Higher-tier unit Defense improvement |
| Weapon Training VIII | Level 3 | 3,700 | Higher-tier unit Attack improvement |
| Advanced Armor VIII | Level 3 | 3,700 | Higher-tier unit HP improvement |
| Rapid Field Dressing I | Level 1 | 1,300 | Supports faster troop recovery |
| Infirmary Expansion I | Level 1 | 1,300 | Improves wounded-unit capacity |
| Advanced Protection – Late | Level 10 | 17,700 | Major survivability node and late Unit X prerequisite |
| HP Boost III | Level 10 | 19,000 | Final HP gate for Unit X progression |
| Attack Boost III | Level 10 | 19,000 | Final Attack gate for Unit X progression |
| Defense Boost III | Level 10 | 19,000 | Final Defense gate for Unit X progression |
| Unit X | Level 1 | 2,400 | Unlocks Tier 10 troop training |
Why the Final Special Forces Nodes Cost So Much
Most of the Valor Badge pressure appears near the bottom of the tree.
The late Advanced Protection node plus HP Boost III, Attack Boost III, and Defense Boost III account for the majority of the final Unit X cost.
| Late Node | Approx. Badge Cost |
| Advanced Protection – Late | 17,700 |
| HP Boost III | 19,000 |
| Attack Boost III | 19,000 |
| Defense Boost III | 19,000 |
| Unit X | 2,400 |
| Combined | About 77,100 Valor Badges |
Consequently, the final stretch is where poor badge planning hurts most. Spending several thousand badges on optional early levels may not seem important until you reach the final nodes that require tens of thousands more.
What Does Unit X Unlock?
Unit X is the Special Forces capstone that unlocks Tier 10 troop training.
Reaching the required Headquarters and Barracks progression alone is not enough. You also need the Special Forces prerequisites leading into Unit X.
Best Special Forces Research Priority Before T10
Before Unit X, the main priority is reaching the next prerequisite rather than completing every available research level.
A practical route is:
- Clear the required HP, Attack, and Defense Boost I levels.
- Complete the early Advanced Protection requirement.
- Progress Defense Training VII, Weapon Training VII, and Advanced Armor VII as required.
- Take Focused Training I and Barracks Expansion I when they become prerequisites.
- Clear the required Boost II levels.
- Progress Morale and the VIII stat row.
- Take Rapid Field Dressing I and Infirmary Expansion I when needed.
- Save the largest badge reserve for late Advanced Protection and the three Boost III nodes.
- Complete Unit X.
Which Special Forces Nodes Are Most Valuable?
Not every node should be evaluated only by whether it advances the Unit X path. Some technologies remain useful long after T10 is unlocked.
Morale
Morale contributes directly to troop combat performance, so it remains useful after the initial T10 race.
Its value becomes more noticeable on developed accounts where permanent military multipliers matter more than small economic improvements.
Advanced Protection
Advanced Protection provides broad survivability instead of supporting only one Hero or one formation.
Because of that, additional levels can remain attractive for PvP-focused accounts after Unit X is finished.
Weapon Training, Defense Training, and Advanced Armor
These technologies provide permanent Attack, Defense, and HP improvements.
They remain useful, although additional levels should still be compared against other Valor Badge research before being completed automatically.
HP, Attack, and Defense Boost III
These three nodes are expensive, but they are part of the required path toward Unit X.
Players approaching T10 should therefore treat them as a planned resource wall rather than optional stat upgrades.
Should You Max Special Forces After Unit X?
Usually, not immediately.
Once Unit X is complete, the purpose of Special Forces changes. You already have the major troop-tier unlock, so additional Valor Badges should be compared with other permanent military research.
Possible competing priorities include Type Mastery, Tactical Weapon research, Hero research, offensive PvP technology, defensive technology, and other branches supporting your main formation.
Therefore, reaching Unit X and immediately pushing Special Forces to 100% can be inefficient when another research branch gives your main squad a larger improvement.
Is Special Forces Worth It Before T11?
Before Unit X
Special Forces is a very high priority because it directly controls the path toward T10.
The goal should be reaching Unit X efficiently rather than completing every optional early level.
After Unit X but Before T11
Special Forces remains valuable, but it is no longer automatically the first research priority.
Permanent Morale, Attack, HP, Defense, and survivability upgrades still help. However, compare their cost with Type Mastery, Tactical Weapon, Hero research, and other technologies supporting your strongest formation.
At this stage, research value matters more than simply increasing the Special Forces completion percentage.
Does Special Forces Unlock T11?
No. T11 progression is separate from Special Forces.
Later in account progression, T11 troops are developed through the Armament Institute and its Armament research system. That means Unit X remains the Special Forces troop-tier capstone rather than becoming a stepping stone directly into T11 research.
Is Special Forces Worth It After T11?
Yes, mainly as permanent military-stat development.
Unlocking T11 does not remove the value of previous Tech Center research. Unfinished Special Forces upgrades can still improve Attack, HP, Defense, Morale, survivability, training, and troop recovery.
However, players entering the T11 stage should not delay important Armament progression simply to increase their Special Forces completion percentage.
A practical late-game order is:
- Keep important T11 Armament progression moving.
- Develop the primary Type Mastery.
- Improve Tactical Weapon and Hero research supporting the main squad.
- Return to valuable unfinished Special Forces levels.
- Complete lower-value research once the major combat systems are developed.
Special Forces Priority by Account Stage
| Account Stage | Priority | Recommended Goal |
| Early Special Forces | High | Follow prerequisites without unnecessary maxing |
| Approaching T10 | Very High | Save for late Advanced Protection and Boost III nodes |
| Unit X Ready | Highest immediate priority | Complete Unit X and unlock T10 |
| T10 Established | Medium–High | Compare extra Special Forces with other military research |
| Approaching T11 | Medium | Finish valuable permanent stats without delaying late-game preparation |
| T11 Unlocked | Medium | Use Special Forces as permanent stat progression alongside Armament research |
How to Spend Valor Badges Efficiently in Special Forces
Calculate the Entire Next Gate
Do not look only at the badge cost of the research currently highlighted.
If your next meaningful goal is Unit X, calculate the late Advanced Protection node, all three Boost III lines, and Unit X together. These technologies dominate the final badge requirement.
Stop Optional Levels Before Unit X
If the next row already opens, continue down the tree.
You can return to optional stat levels later. Spending those badges early may delay T10 when you reach the expensive final prerequisites.
Compare Special Forces With Other Research
After T10, each additional Special Forces upgrade should compete with other military research for value.
Think about which upgrade improves your actual main formation rather than choosing a node simply because it increases completion percentage.
Keep Badge Farming Separate From Badge Spending
This page is designed to help decide where Valor Badges should go once you already have them.
For badge sources, events, and acquisition methods, use the Last War Valor Badges Guide.
Common Special Forces Research Mistakes
- Maxing every early node before Unit X and delaying T10.
- Underestimating how expensive the final Boost III section becomes.
- Saving only enough Valor Badges for Unit X itself while ignoring its prerequisites.
- Assuming Special Forces eventually unlocks T11.
- Stopping Special Forces permanently after reaching T10.
- Maxing Special Forces immediately after T10 without comparing other research.
- Judging research only by displayed Power instead of its actual combat value.
- Mixing Valor Badge acquisition strategy with Special Forces spending strategy.
FAQ
What is Special Forces research in Last War?
Special Forces is an advanced Tech Center military tree containing unit stat improvements, Morale, survivability, training and recovery upgrades, and the Unit X technology that unlocks T10 troops.
How many Valor Badges does Special Forces need for Unit X?
A full Unit X planning baseline is approximately 112,400 Valor Badges from zero across the listed prerequisite targets. A strict minimum path may be slightly lower depending on the exact levels already completed.
Which Special Forces research unlocks T10 troops?
Unit X is the final T10 unlock. Before researching it, you must complete its required Special Forces prerequisites, including the expensive late-stat nodes.
Should I max Special Forces before unlocking T10?
No. Follow the required prerequisite path first. Optional levels that do not advance Unit X can usually wait until after T10.
Does Special Forces unlock T11 troops?
No. T11 uses the later Armament Institute progression system rather than another Special Forces or Unit X level.
Is Special Forces worth researching after T11?
Yes. Its permanent Attack, HP, Defense, Morale, survivability, training, and recovery bonuses remain useful, although they should be compared with other late-game research priorities.
Conclusion
Last War Special Forces research should be treated as two projects. First, take the efficient path to Unit X and T10 without wasting Valor Badges on unnecessary early levels. Afterward, return to unfinished Special Forces research when its permanent combat bonuses offer good value.
T11 uses the separate Armament Institute, so Special Forces eventually becomes a long-term military-stat tree rather than the next troop-tier unlock. For more research, troop, event, and progression guides, browse the Heaven Guardian Last War Survival guide collection.
