trigger · amount_research_slots

Hands-On Usage

amount_research_slots is commonly used in the available / trigger blocks of national focuses, decisions, or events to restrict access to advanced features to only those nations meeting a minimum research slot threshold. Examples include exclusive options for research-focused nations or research bonuses. It can also be paired with AI logic to trigger specific behaviors only when research slots are sufficiently abundant.

# Example: A decision becomes available only when the nation has more than 2 research slots
available = {
    amount_research_slots > 2
}

Synergy

• [add_research_slot](/wiki/effect/add_research_slot): Grants additional research slots to a nation after condition checks pass. Commonly used in reward chains—check current slot count first before deciding whether to continue stacking to avoid unlimited accumulation.
• [has_completed_focus](/wiki/trigger/has_completed_focus): Usually paired with national focus completion status to ensure research slot expansions are only awarded after specific focus paths are completed, serving as a prerequisite check.
• [add_tech_bonus](/wiki/effect/add_tech_bonus): Awards technology bonuses only when research slots are sufficient. Together these create a positive incentive design where "stronger research capability unlocks more benefits."
• [can_research](/wiki/trigger/can_research): Pairing with this allows simultaneous checks of both "slot quantity" and "whether the nation qualifies to research a specific technology," forming more comprehensive research condition gating.

Common Pitfalls

1. Comparison operator confusion: amount_research_slots > 2 means "strictly greater than 2" (i.e., at least 3 slots). If you intend "at least 2 slots," write >= 2 instead. Newcomers often miscalculate by one, making conditions stricter than intended.
2. Usage outside COUNTRY scope: This trigger only functions within COUNTRY scope. If accidentally placed in a state scope (such as within any_owned_state sub-blocks), it will cause script errors or silent failures. Always verify the current scope is COUNTRY.