Dragon Essence & Brilliance Institute

Dragon Essence is the premium research currency that unlocks mid-to-late game progression. It fuels three research trees in the Brilliance Institute: general research, faction-specific technology, and advanced military research. Dragon Essence is scarce — understanding which research to prioritise saves weeks of wasted progression.

Note

You do not need your Castle at Brilliance 3 level to have the Brilliance Institute at B3. The institute can be upgraded independently.

Brilliance Institute — General Research

The general research tree covers hero levels, training speed, march size, healing, and combat stats. The most impactful researches here are Hero Level (raises hero level cap) and March Size (directly impacts KvK and rally power).

Research	Lv 1	Lv 2	Lv 3	Lv 4	Lv 5	Lv 6	Lv 7	Lv 8	Lv 9	Lv 10	Total
Training Speed 1	1	1	2	2	2	2	3	3	4	4	24
Relic HP	8	10	11	13	16	19	23	27	32	38	197
Relic Attack	8	10	11	13	16	19	23	27	32	38	197
Soldier Assault 1	12	14	16	20	23	28	34	40	48	57	292
Soldier Defense 1	12	14	16	20	23	28	34	40	48	57	292
March Size	16	19	22	26	31	37	45	54	64	76	390
Hero Level	62	131	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	193
Soldier Capacity 1	26	34	47	71	112	—	—	—	—	—	290
Training Mastery	26	34	47	71	112	—	—	—	—	—	290
Healing Speed	44	57	78	117	186	—	—	—	—	—	482
Hero Assault 1	46	55	64	78	92	110	133	160	192	228	1,158
Hero Defense 1	46	55	64	78	92	110	133	160	192	228	1,158
Healing Boost	70	90	125	187	298	—	—	—	—	—	770
Hero Assault 2	57	69	80	97	114	137	166	200	239	285	1,444
Hero Defense 2	57	69	80	97	114	137	166	200	239	285	1,444
Soldier Level	288	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	288
Hero Level (2nd)	189	321	642	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1,152

Some researches only have 2–5 levels. A dash means that level doesn’t exist.

Faction-Specific Technology

Total Dragon Essence needed: 7,826

Faction technology boosts are specific to your chosen faction’s heroes and soldiers. The tree is structured in tiers — each tier has 6 researches covering soldier attack/HP, hero attack/HP, and counter-attack damage.

Research	Lv 1	Lv 2	Lv 3	Lv 4	Lv 5	Total
Soldier Attack 1	4	5	7	10	15	41
Soldier HP 1	4	5	7	10	15	41
Damage on Counter 1	5	6	8	11	18	48
Hero Attack 1	5	7	9	13	21	55
Hero HP 1	5	7	9	13	21	55
Damage Reduction on Counter 1	6	7	10	15	24	62
Soldier Attack 2	7	9	12	18	28	74
Soldier HP 2	7	9	12	18	28	74
Damage on Counter 2	8	10	14	21	33	86
Hero Attack 2	10	12	16	25	39	102
Hero HP 2	10	12	16	25	39	102
Damage Reduction on Counter 2	11	14	19	29	46	119
Soldier Attack 3	13	17	23	34	54	141
Soldier HP 3	13	17	23	34	54	141
Damage on Counter 3	16	20	27	40	64	167
Hero Attack 3	19	23	32	48	76	198
Hero HP 3	19	23	32	48	76	198
Damage Reduction on Counter 3	22	27	38	56	90	233
Soldier Attack 4	26	33	45	67	107	278
Soldier HP 4	26	33	45	67	107	278
Damage on Counter 4	31	39	53	80	127	330
Hero Attack 4	37	46	63	95	151	392
Hero HP 4	37	46	63	95	151	392
Damage Reduction on Counter 4	44	55	75	113	179	466

Each tier costs progressively more. Tier 1 researches total 302 DE while Tier 4 researches total 2,136 DE.

Advanced Military Research

Total Dragon Essence needed: 5,478

Advanced military research boosts soldier combat stats, march size, training ground capacity, and link bonuses (synergies between hero and soldier stats).

Research	Lv 1	Lv 2	Lv 3	Lv 4	Lv 5	Total
Soldier Assault 1	4	5	7	10	15	41
Soldier Defense 1	4	5	7	10	15	41
Training Ground Capacity 1	7	9	12	18	28	74
Attack Link 1	5	7	9	13	21	55
HP Link 1	5	7	9	13	21	55
Defense Specialization 1	8	10	14	21	33	86
Attack Specialization 1	8	10	14	21	33	86
Soldier Assault 2	7	9	12	18	28	74
Soldier Defense 2	7	9	12	18	28	74
Training Ground Capacity 2	13	17	23	34	54	141
Attack Link 2	10	12	16	25	39	102
HP Link 2	10	12	16	25	39	102
Defense Specialization 2	16	20	27	40	64	167
Attack Specialization 2	16	20	27	40	64	167
March Size 1	11	14	19	29	46	119
Soldier Assault 3	13	17	23	34	54	141
Soldier Defense 3	13	17	23	34	54	141
Attack Link 3	19	23	32	48	76	198
HP Link 3	19	23	32	48	76	198
March Size 2	22	27	38	56	90	233
Soldier Assault 4	26	33	45	67	107	278
Soldier Defense 4	26	33	45	67	107	278
Attack Link 4	37	46	63	95	151	392
HP Link 4	37	46	63	95	151	392

Research Priority Order

Dragon Essence is scarce. Here’s the recommended research order based on impact per DE spent:

Priority 1 — Hero Level unlocks

Hero Level (193 DE) and Hero Level 2nd (1,152 DE) raise your hero level cap. This is the single highest-impact research in the Brilliance Institute because hero stats scale with level. Research these first when available.

Priority 2 — March Size

March Size in general research (390 DE) and March Size 1–2 in advanced military (119 + 233 DE). Larger marches directly translate to more power in KvK rallies and guild battles. Critical for competitive play.

Priority 3 — Faction technology Tier 1–2

The first two tiers of faction technology (302 + 786 DE) are cheap relative to their stat impact. Complete these before moving to Tier 3–4.

Priority 4 — Hero Assault/Defense

Both general and advanced combat stats. These compound with hero level and gear. Expensive but necessary for late-game power.

Priority 5 — Everything else

Training speed, healing, soldier capacity, and higher-tier faction/military research. Important but less immediately impactful.

Tracking your DE

Dragon Essence appears as the “Premium Resource” in castle upgrade costs for levels 41+. It’s also earned from events, season rewards, and some shop packs. See the Spending Guide for purchase recommendations.

Data verified from community spreadsheet (Nomlette), 2026-02-27.