Laboratory

Requirements

Supplies: 125

Power: 3

Monthly: 35

Upgrade

Additional Research Station

Requirements

Supplies: 125

Power: 5

Monthly Upkeep: 40

Additional Scientist Slots: 1

The Laboratory is arguably the least useful of all the Facilities you can build. It has its uses, but its functions are easily mitigated by acquiring more Scientists. I have never built a single laboratory in all of my playthroughs, it has its uses, but it is really not necessary, at all.

The Laboratory has the same purpose as the Laboratories in the original XCOM game. However, due to the original’s Expansion, Enemy Within, the Laboratories have added effects that are very crucial to the overall mechanics of the game. In XCOM 2, the laboratories are still in their vanilla state with no additional features that should help you with the game. It still has its uses but is easily replaceable with other means.

The Laboratory facility allows decrease research time up to 22% (with two Scientists). That is 11% per Scientist, the second Scientist slot can only be unlocked via the upgrade as already laid out above.