Do we(you) have an idea of how the R&D stations will work? For example, would a faction need to start at a R&D Station 1 and work their way up the ladder or can you just build a Station 3 right away? Kinda seems like you need the R&D station to open up your tree and then the other stations to improve in those designs?
I have intentions of starting a ship faction eventually and am wondering if I should prepare for R&D by building those stations or is that all up in the air right now?
Originally (not sure if it is still listed that way on the rules pages) but the different tiers could only research different lengths of stuff etc. However, that is legacy stuff and probably will have no effect on the rules once they are finished and implemented.